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WHEELING -- In college football, winning three games is nothing to celebrate, only the worst teams in the nation win less than three games in a season. And yet for Wheeling University, picking up their third win of the season Saturday afternoon meant everything for the fledgling program.
The Cardinals hit four program milestones in the 38-0 win over West Virginia Wesleyan at Bishop Schmitt Field. The Cardinals set new program records for the most wins in a single season (three), most consecutive wins (three), single-game rushing yards (198) and it was the first shutout in program history.
"It's just the next step, it's where we want to be," coach Zac Bruney said. "We're 3-1 in the conference, three-straight wins, a really good win on the road last week, a really good home win for us. We've got some big things on the horizon, the back half of our schedule is tough. We're sitting where we want to be in the top half of the conference and we're getting better."
The team's 3-2 record (3-1 MEC) is not eye-popping at first glance, but considering where this team was just two years ago, it is quite the accomplishment.
The Cardinals are only in their third season of varsity play. Their first season, 2019, was one to forget. They finished 1-10, with their only win coming against 1-10 Concord.
"Everything has a whole nother feel now," said senior receiver Ryan LaFollette. "The biggest thing is when we were losing, it was just trying to get through the week, get through the season. Now we have a purpose, we want to win and we've got big games to play. These games mean something, we're not just the battering ram in the conference anymore. People are going to have to prepare for us and people are going to have to work hard to play against us."
Wheeling showed progress last season, but the COVID-shortended schedule limited them to just a 2-2 record in four games. This season, the Cardinals are finally able to show how their hard work is paying off.
"We felt a little bit of (success) in the spring and coming into the fall we rode off of that confidence," LaFollette explained. "What we're calling it right now is the 'revenge tour'. Our freshmen year, 2019, everybody was just beating on us and we went 1-10. Now we're beating those teams and we're seeing the results we want to see."
On this winning streak, the Cardinals have defeated Alderson Broaddus 28-6, Glenville State 27-10 and Wesleyan 38-0. Their offense is putting up points and the defense is playing like the best unit in the conference.
"It's the culmination of years of work," said defensive coordinator Mott Gaymon, who was given a celebratory Gatorade bath after Saturday's win. "The preparation is at a high level and the buy-in is at a high level. It's the guys believing in each other and playing for each other."
The motto around Wheeling's program is that 'work works'. The coaches and players feel like the team's success this year is proving that saying to be true.
"Work works," Bruney said. "If you just believe and trust in the process and in putting your best foot forward every single day, work works. We've just got to stay the course and keep believing in what we're doing."
"Success has a process, you can't cheat it and there's only one way to do it," Gaymon added. "We've just got to continue to work and get better."
Running Back Sy Alli carried the ball 18 times for 120 yards and two touchdowns against the Bobcats. Quarterback Brennon Norris completed 14-of-27 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown.
Dwayne Bender, JR Atkinson, Jason Simon and Chase Nolan all had sacks on defense. Rich White blocked a Wesleyan field goal attempt as time expired in the first half. Wheeling out-gained Wesleyan 451-147 and held the Bobcats to just 4-of-14 on third downs.
LaFollette, who caught three passes for 29 yards and a touchdown, has been at Wheeling since the very beginning. He was there for the junior varsity season in 2018, he was there for the 1-10 year in 2019 and he is there now, enjoying this season.
"It's really nice to see everything coming together," he said. "Being here and seeing everything come together, it's really an amazing feeling. I'm just happy to be a part of it and everybody who's stayed is seeing the results of hard work."
A Monroe Central grad, LaFollette said being from the area makes it all even more enjoyable for him.
"My sisters came (to Wheeling University) and they didn't have football," LaFollette said. "I'm thankful to be here and thankful to see the success that's on this campus. It's turning into a football school and I'm thankful to see that happening."