West Virginia Wesleyan Football hosts West Virginia State on Saturday October 26th. Kickoff is slated for 1 PM, and it will be Military Appreciation Day at Cebe Ross Field. Wesleyan will enter the game at 1-6 overall in 2019, with a 1-5 record in the Mountain East Conference. It's been a different story this year for WVSU, they come to Buckhannon at 5-2 on the season, and currently sit in third place in the MEC.

This matchup will come down to which team is able to take advantage of defensive weaknesses. West Virginia State struggles to stop the run, they rank second to last in the MEC giving up an average of 211 yards on the ground per contest. On the other side, Wesleyan has trouble keeping the ball out of the air. The Bobcats give up an average of 258 yards per game through the air per contest. 

From the initial outlook, it seems that the Yellow Jackets have the advantage heading into the game. They have a prolific passing offense, led by Senior QB Austin Hensley. In WVSU's last two games, Hensley has thrown for 414 and 380 yards respectively, and has compiled nine touchdowns to just one interception. It will be difficult for Wesleyan to stop an experienced signal-caller who is coming into this one playing his best football of the season.

Wesleyan has struggled throwing the football recently, and with WVSU's weak run defense, the game plan may be aimed towards the backfield on Saturday. Luckily for the Bobcats, after missing the game two weeks ago against Frostburg, Redshirt Freshman RB Kord Jenkins returned against Glenville State last weekend and ran for 74 yards on 15 carries. He's a talented back, and if Wesleyan's offensive line can create running lanes for him early, the Bobcats could quickly grab an offensive advantage. 

On the defensive side, Sophomore S John Merica has been one of the brightest young stars in the country this season. He leads the MEC in total tackles, and he ranks fourth in the nation in solo tackles. If other Bobcats, similar to Sophomore DB Deontre Logan last Saturday, can step up and make plays along side Merica, the momentum and feel of this game can switch Wesleyan's way early on. 

A Wesleyan win could jumpstart the second half of their season, after this one they travel to face 0-7 Concord next weekend. West Virginia State can not afford a loss on Saturday, as they already own two losses and their postseason hopes most likely rely on winning-out the rest of their schedule. 

Come out to Cebe Ross Field on Saturday to support your Bobcats and those who served in our Armed Forces!