During a virtual MEC Football Media Day, Coach Zac Bruney took the podium to outline the Cardinals’ plans for the upcoming 2026 campaign, emphasizing the momentum built from a breakthrough season.
The team finished the previous year tied for third in the Mountain East Conference with a 6‑5 record, boasting the conference’s fourth‑best defense at 30.3 points allowed per game and a secondary that generated a league‑leading 12 interceptions. Offensively, the Cardinals averaged 27.8 points, exploding for over 35 points in five games and setting a single‑game high of 67 points.
Key contributors returning include quarterback Landon Lutz, who will again be joined by playmakers Colin Oberdick and Jordan Kaiser, as well as running backs Dawaun Green and O’Marion Taylor. On defense, veterans Awwal Osinuga and Carter Blake anchor a unit that blends youthful talent with seasoned experience.
Preseason Optimism
The preseason coaches’ poll placed Wheeling at No. 5 in the MEC, the program’s highest preseason ranking to date, fueling optimism that the Cardinals can challenge for the conference title on their home turf. With six home games scheduled for the 2026 slate, the coaching staff and players are focused on translating early‑season momentum into a sustained push for the MEC championship.