CFB D2 Game Preview: Wheeling Cardinals (0-0) vs. Clarion Golden Eagles (0-0)

Game Details

Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. ET
Walton Stadium

Preview Summary

Wheeling enters off a breakthrough 6–5 campaign in 2024, riding momentum from a late-season surge and a dynamic redshirt-junior quarterback. Clarion, coming off a rebuilding year in the PSAC West, counters with veteran playmakers on both sides of the ball. Expect Wheeling’s run-heavy attack to clash with Clarion’s aggressive front seven; the duel in the trenches and early turnovers will determine if the Cardinals sustain their upward trajectory or if the Golden Eagles ground out an upset at home.

Season Context

Wheeling University closed 2024 with a 5–1 finish after stumbling early in MEC play, marking its first winning record since 2019. Under second-year head coach Mike Carfora, the Cardinals lean on redshirt-junior QB Landon Lutz’s dual-threat skill set and a veteran backfield tandem to propel their run-first offense. Clarion University enters Year 2 under head coach Jeff Hand, aiming to bounce back from a 2–9 (2–8 PSAC West) season. Despite the struggles, the Golden Eagles return several defensive standouts and a seasoned offensive line, hoping for continuity from QB Daniel Marakovits to stabilize a unit that faced 30-plus points allowed five times last year.

Team Overviews

Wheeling Cardinals

Head Coach: Mike Carfora (2nd season)

2024 Record: 6–5 (5–4 MEC)

Offense:

QB Landon Lutz (RS-JR) threw for 1,332 yards and a program-record 19 TDs; added 450 rushing yards

RBs Steven Mitchell (SR) & Dawaun Green (JR): combined for 1,534 yards and 13 TDs

OL Returns: five starters back, led by C Angel Figueroa and Second-Team All-MEC G Alex Goodrick

Defense:

LB Corey Ballard (SR): team-high 85 tackles and three sacks

DB Jordan Collins (JR): four interceptions and seven pass breakups

Clarion Golden Eagles

Head Coach: Jeff Hand (2nd season)

2024 Record: 2–9 (2–8 PSAC West)

Offense:

QB Daniel Marakovits (SR): completed 58% for 1,750 yards, 10 TDs, six INTs

RB Ja’Marr Sanders (JR): led team with 780 rushing yards and seven TDs

OL: three returning all-conference performers anchoring tackles and guard spots

Defense:

DL Kayvon Hunt (SR): 7.5 TFL, four sacks, forced fumble

LB Marcus Williams (JR): 78 tackles, 6.0 TFL, one interception

Key Storylines

Tempo Control: Wheeling’s ground-and-pound vs. Clarion’s blitz-heavy front; controlling the clock will be paramount.

Turnover Margin: Lutz’s gambles downfield and Marakovits’s intermediate reads—who’ll protect the football?

Home-Field Edge: Clarion’s Walton Stadium crowd saw fewer than three wins in eight home games last year; will that improve?

Tactical Matchups

Wheeling Offense vs. Clarion Defense: Cardinals’ inside-zone runs and QB keeps tested by Golden Eagles’ 4-2-5 scheme; defensive discipline in two-gap assignments is crucial.

Clarion Offense vs. Wheeling Defense: Expect short-to-intermediate passing to Sanders and slot fades; Wheeling’s secondary must win one-on-one battles and tackle in space.

Head-to-Head

This marks the inaugural meeting between Wheeling and Clarion, setting an early benchmark for future non-conference ties.

What to Watch

Opening Five Minutes: Early turnover or three-and-out sets the tone for ball control.

Third-Down Efficiency: Cardinals aim to convert north of 50%; Golden Eagles must create pressure or risk extended drives.

Red-Zone Execution: Both teams hovered around 80% scoring in 2024—who will trim their playbook under pressure?