COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Hinkle, UVa.-Wise Feeling Confident

Danny Hinkle has had a hand in the University of Virginia’s College at Wise’s success the last three seasons. That was never more evident than last Saturday.

Hinkle blocked a field goal attempt with 44 seconds left to secure UVa.-Wise’s 32-31 Mid-South Conference victory over Campbellsville (Ky.) last week.

The 6-foot-1, 281-pound Hinkle and teammate Josh Weaver overloaded one side on the special teams’ field goal block unit. Both players leapt and Hinkle’s hand got a piece of David Hon’s kick to clinch the victory.

“As soon as I hit it, I looked back and the ball was still in the air and it fell short,” Hinkle said. “I was speechless. All I could do was celebrate.”

Hinkle will look to celebrate even more as UVa.-Wise (4-3) hosts Cumberland (Tenn.) University (2-4) today at 1:30 p.m. at Carl Smith Stadium.

UVa.-Wise has won two straight and is still in the hunt for the Mid-South Conference East Division title.

“We feel like winning that last game gives us a chance to win the conference,” Hinkle said. “We have Cumberland, Pikeville and Cumberlands [Ky.] at home the next three weeks. It’s an advantage to
have the homefield part. We have a lot of confidence.”

Along with his late-game heroics, Hinkle had a strong performance last Saturday. He finished with seven tackles and was honored as the Mid-South’s defensive player of the week.

UVa.-Wise wide receiver Jason Lovett was named the conference’s offensive player of the week after catching nine passes for 175 yards and four touchdowns in the victory over Campbellsville.