2023 Wheeling Football schedule released includes six home contests

Wheeling, W.Va. – Spring practices and spring games are in full swing for the Wheeling University Football team, but before you know it, the fall boys will be back on the field. On Thursday, the Mountain East Conference (MEC) released its 2023 football schedule, and with that release, the Wheeling University Football team has announced its 2023 schedule. The Cardinals will play at Bishop Schmitt Field six times during the 2023 season, including Thursday night’s non-conference opener against Seton Hill and the first meeting between football’s Wheeling and West Virginia State.

The 2022 season was the best season in the history of the Wheeling Football program as the team posted a new single-season record of 7-4 overall and 6-4 in MEC play. The season began in non-conference action against Seton Hill, and the Cardinals picked up their first season-opening win since the 2018 exhibition season. After dropping the MEC opener to MEC champion Notre Dame College, the Cardinals would go on a three-game winning streak against Alderson Broaddu, Glenville State and West Virginia Wesleyan to go 3-1 in conference play. Wheeling would win five of its first eight conference games and set up a big meeting with Concord that mattered in the NCAA DII playoffs. Unfortunately, the Cardinals fell to both Concord and Charleston the following week and were eliminated from the playoffs. They finished the season with a win over Fairmont State on Senior Day, setting a new single-season wins record.

The 2023 season begins with a Thursday night special for the third straight season as the Cardinals and Griffins renew their rivalry at Bishop Schmitt Field on August 31st. The two teams have split the opener each of the last two seasons, and the Cardinals are looking to make it two straight season openers to start the year. They then open the MEC portion of their schedule at home on Sept. 9 against Frostburg State for their only back-to-back home weeks of the season. The following week they return to the road for the first time in 2023 when they head to Fairmont, West Virginia to take on Fairmont State on September 16th.

During the final eight weeks of the 2023 season, the Cardinals will alternate home and road games as they chase the first MEC championship in program history. It begins with a rematch of last season’s battle for the NCAA DII playoffs when Concord arrives at Bishop Schmitt Field on Sept. 23. After the game against UNC Pembroke, the Cardinals return home for Homecoming & Family Weekend on October 7th when they host West Virginia Wesleyan. The final two home games of the season are Saturday, Oct. 21 against Alderson Broaddus and Saturday, Nov. 4 against West Virginia State as the Cardinals honor the senior class of 2024.

Over the final five weeks, the Cardinals face a tight road schedule with games against Glenville State (10/14), MEC champion Notre Dame College (10/28) and the conclusion of the annual “Battle for Wheeling” against West Liberty. of the season on November 11. The Cardinals and Hilltoppers will meet in the final game of the regular season for the first time in program history as the Cardinals look to take over the Hilltop to end the season. It is the second season of competition in the MEC and the head coach Zac Bruney and his team are ready to continue their growth and challenge for the MEC Championship.

In addition to its 2023 schedule released by Wheeling Football, the Mountain East Conference has also released complete MEC games. All games are subject to change and the conference will release a full list of Thursday night games throughout the summer. For the full MEC schedule, including weekly fixtures, click HERE.

The Wheeling University Football team continues its spring season, but returns to regular season play in four short months. They will begin the 2023 season on Thursday, August 31 when they face Seton Hill at a time to be determined.