Wise, Va. – The Glenville State Pioneer football team started the 2018 season off with a huge road win on Thursday evening as they defeated the UVa-Wise Cavaliers, 17-7.

Glenville State (1-0) rushed for 161 yards on the ground while the Pioneer defense forced UVa-Wise (0-1) into three turnovers as they earned the 10 point road victory.

The first quarter would prove to be a defensive battle as we would end up scoreless after one quarter down. Early in the second quarter, GSC's Quintavius Twine laid a vicious hit on UVa-Wise's QB Jarome Johnson that resulted in a JQ Haislip-Hightower fumble recovery. Jarome Johnson then left the game due to an injury he suffered on the play and did not return. However, GSC's ensuing drive would stall and they would be forced to punt the ball back to the Cavaliers.

The Pioneers would start the scoring in the contest with 3:12 remaining in the second quarter behind a 27-yard hookup from Jaylen McNair to Tre Crutcher. The PAT would split the uprights as the Pioneers took a 7-0 lead. Just moments later, D'Andre Brown would pick up a Brycen Lee fumble and scamper to the endzone from 14 yards out for another Pioneer touchdown making it, 14-0. With 2:26 remaining in the first half, the game would enter a lightning delay that would last one hour and 26 minutes. The remaining of the first half would go scoreless as GSC would take a 14-0 lead into the half.

The third quarter would go scoreless as the Cavaliers and Pioneers punted the ball back and forth. In the fourth, GSC would put the game away following another forced fumble. This time, Dominic Cizauskas would force the fumble that would be recovered by Wil Mayes. Justin Watts would go on to kick a 48-yard field goal to put the game out of reach, 17-7.

Glenville State tallied 222 total yards on 70 plays while UVa-Wise racked up 306 yards on 73 plays. The Pioneers held the big advantage on the ground rushing for 161 yards on 50 carriers.

Defensively, Cizauskas made his presence felt in his Pioneer debut by recording 19 total tackles as well as a sack and forcing a fumble late in the contest. D'Andre Brown was also able to scoop and score on a fumble from 14-yards out.

Offensively, Mario Pender had a bright Pioneer debut while carrying the ball 25 times for 124 yards.

Jaylen McNair would account for GSC's only offensive touchdown on a 27-yard TD pass to Tre Crutcher, his first career TD catch as a Pioneer. McNair finished the night 8-for-20 for 61 yards, with a touchdown, and one interception. The interception was the Pioneers lone turnover.

A key for the Pioneers victory was winning the turnover battle. GSC forced three turnovers, while only committing one. GSC was penalized seven times for 65 yards, as the Cavaliers racked up 11 penalties for 114 yards.

Glenville State (1-0) will return to action next Saturday, September 8^th in their home-opener as they host the Falcons of Notre Dame College. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m.