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WHEELING - In what had been a lackluster offensive performance by both squads for three quarters, West Virginia used two outstanding efforts by Linsly's Luca DiLorenzo in the fourth quarter to rally past Ohio, 13-9, in the 77th edition of the annual OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game inside muggy Wheeling Island Stadium.
With the come-from-behind win, the Mountaineers cut the Buckeyes lead in the all-time series to 47-30.
"It was supposed to be a pass play, but I saw a hole and I knew I was taking it home," DiLorenzo said in describing the game-winning play. "You've got to do what you've got to do to win, always.
"It's always been amazing watching this game growing up. To get a win like this after that talking they (Ohio) was doing feels great."
Wheeling Central head coach Mike Young said his team went into camp with a purpose.
"We went in with the mindset of respect each other and respect this game," he stressed. "We were outnumbered. We were outsized and we lost some kids. These kids really stepped it up and gutted it out."
Trailing 3-0 after three quarters of not-so-well-played football, West Virginia started the fourth quarter at its own 6. Ten plays and 94 yards later, the Mountaineers took their first lead of the contest on a 31-yard scoring strike from John Marshall's Jacob Coffield to DiLorenzo.
Streaking down the right sidelines on a first-and-20, DiLorenzo caught the pass deep in the back corner of the end zone, but somehow got his feet down for the score. The PAT by Oak Glen's Trenton Richmond made it 7-3 with 5:54 left to play.
The Buckeyes didn't waste any time in storming back as Toronto's Zane Kinsey returned the ensuing kickoff 70 yards to the West Virginia 14. On a fourth-and-goal from the 4, Bellaire's Ray Ray Pettigrew powered his way over the left side of the line and into the end zone. However, the extra-point was no good and Ohio had a 9-7 advantage with 2:53 remaining.
That was more than enough time for DiLorenzo to flash his skills once more.
West Virginia started at its own 34 and quickly got to midfield with a pass from Coffield to Wheeling Central's Riley Watkins, who shined on both sides of the ball. A key hands-to-the-face penalty against Ohio advanced the leather to the 35 and, after a holding penalty against the Mountaineers and a dead-ball personal foul against Ohio, West Virginia had a first-and-5 at the 30.
Coffield took the snap and handed to DiLorenzo who looked to pass, but tucked the ball under his wing and weaved his way to the promised land. The Fairmont State recruit cut to his left after crossing the line of scrimmage, made a couple of would-be tacklers miss before sprinting down the left sidelines. The PAT was no good, but the Mountaineers led 13-9 with 55 seconds on the clock.
"Luca is an unbelievable athlete and he showed it on that play. He's a great dancer and he danced with the ball on that play."
On third-and-15, Watkins intercepted a pass as time ran out to secure the win.
"This feels amazing, especially to be able to do it with Coach Young," he said. "I give every ounce of my football career to Coach Young. He's the best man I've ever met. I love him to death and tear up when I think of not being able to spend another minute with him on the football field."
Ohio had taken a 3-0 lead just past the midway point of the second quarter when Harrison Central's Jace Madzia split the uprights from 32 yards out.
West Virginia let a pair of golden scoring opportunities slip away in the late stages of the second quarter.
Following the three-pointer, West Virginia marched to the Ohio 6 on a 39-yard connection from Coffield to Watkins on second-and-20. Watkins made a nifty move at the Ohio 40 and got around a block to the sidelines before being run out of bounds.
Wheeling Park's Erick Brothers, Jr., had a huge quarterback sack on the final drive.
"It feels good to win this game on my home field since we lost in the first round of the playoffs," the WVU wrestling commit said. "It feels really good."
A pair of running plays moved the ball to the 1 but a bad snap on third down resulted in a four-yard loss. DiLorenzo tried some razzle-dazzle but Fort Frye's Zaiden Huck and Steubenville's Spenser Ostovich didn't bite as Ohio took over at its own 3.
However, a fumble on second down was recovered by Weir's Jamari Hubbard-Bass at the Buckeyes' 8.
A pass interference penalty on Ohio advanced the ball to the 4, but Coffield was brought down after gaining a yard. St. Clairsville's Andrew Vera knocked down a third-down pass in the end zone, and then picked off a pass in the back of the end zone with 14 seconds left in the half.
"Jacob was down on himself for throwing that interception, but I told him you stick with us because we are going to stick with you. He responded," Young said.
The third quarter saw the teams combine for 67 total yards as both offenses struggled to find any rhythm. In fact, the teams only converted 2 of 19 third-down attempts - none until the fourth quarter - and to go a combined 2-for-7 on fourth down.
"Offensively, we just couldn't get out of our own way," Barnesville's Blake Allen, who led the Ohio squad, said. "We had a lot of penalties ... a lot of mistakes. We only had a week to prepare, but no excuses. We just didn't play well.
"We finally took the lead late there in the game, but I told the guys that the game wasn't over," Allen continued. "Their No. 7 (DiLorenzo) made a great play. He's a very good player. We missed some tackles, as well.
"They made one more play than we did. Congratulations to West Virginia."
DiLorenzo finished with 98 yards rushing and 31 receiving. Coffield was 5-for-9 for 119 yards with a TD and INT. Watkins caught three passes for 62 yards, ran for 34 and made several big plays on defense.
"Riley is a hard-nosed kid. He was a four-year player for me and I couldn't be more proud of him right now," Young added.
Ohio could only manage 75 yards of offense - only 16 on four pass completions - on 42 snaps. Union Local's Jaksan Price ran six times for 25 yards.