COLLEGE FOOTBALL: UVa.-Wise Wide Receivers Toast Tigers

BY TIM HAYES
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
WISE, Va. – Matt Barbour. Jason Lovett. Aric Evans. Brad Ricker.

When the names of the four top wide receivers for the University of Virginia’s College at Wise are mentioned, quarterback Randy Hippeard tends to break into a grin. 

“They are hard to stop,” Hippeard said. “I feel lucky every day I get to come out here and throw it to them. I’m honored to be their quarterback and the one they get the ball from.”

The quartet of UVa.-Wise receivers played starring roles Saturday in the Highland Cavaliers’ 61-41 Mid-South Conference victory over Campbellsville (Ky.) at Carl Smith Stadium.
UVa.-Wise (5-1) is ranked 12th in the latest NAIA national poll, and Hippeard has headlined the high-scoring offense. However, he’s just part of the success story.

“I think that’s something people sometimes forget. Randy’s a hell of a quarterback, but he wouldn’t be as good of a quarterback if we didn’t have the receiving corps we have,” UVa.-Wise coach Bruce Wasem said. “Did we plan it that way? Did we know we could get 3-4 guys that would come in and play like that? No.”

Lovett finished with six catches for 73 yards and scored five touchdowns Saturday, bringing his season total to 16.

Ricker had the best game of his collegiate career, hauling in three passes for 128 yards.

Meanwhile, Barbour (five receptions, 124 yards) and Evans (four receptions, 40 yards) became just the third and fourth receivers in school history to surpass the 2,000-yard career receiving mark.

Campbellsville’s suspect defensive secondary was burnt on many occasions Saturday.

“I love it,” Barbour said. “Everyone of us brings something new to the table.”

Jyron Barclay, Bruce McMullen, Brad Slade and Hakeem Abdul-Saboor also caught passes from Hippeard, who finished 25-of-40 for 442 yards and five TD passes to Lovett.

The Cavs managed just 94 yards rushing, but it didn’t matter with the aerial assault working.

“You can throw to any of those receivers, and they are going to make a play for you,” Hippeard said.

UVa.-Wise set the tone 22 seconds into the game as sophomore defensive end Josh Weaver ripped the ball out of the hands of Campbellsville running back Greg Fountain and rumbled 45 yards into the end zone.

“It just appeared in my hands, and I ran,” Weaver said. “Instincts, I guess.”

UVa.-Wise had 44 points by halftime, and Campbellsville (1-5) never seriously threatened. The defense allowed just 14 second-half points and got 11 tackles apiece from John Mathis and Amondre Johnson. Marvin White added two interceptions for the Cavs.

Since a 51-40 loss to Lambuth (Tenn.) on Sept. 27, UVa.-Wise has improved. The Cavs beat Georgetown on the road last week and then cruised on Saturday.

“We’re definitely refocused,” Ricker said. “You can see it in practice, definitely. [The loss] was a wake-up call for us.”

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