Thomas More University's football team lost its season opener 27-10 at Wheeling University on Aug. 29, after surrendering 27 unanswered second-half points.

The Crestview Hills program led 7-0 at halftime. The Saints never scored again until the final seconds.

The game at Bishop Schmitt Field in Wheeling, West Virginia, was the first-ever meeting between the two programs, according to Wheeling's athletics department.

Thomas More's defense set the tone early, blocking a Wheeling field goal attempt in the first quarter. The Saints broke through at the 7:42 mark of the second quarter when running back Kayleb Wagner punched in a 1-yard touchdown. The nine-play, 64-yard drive chewed nearly four minutes off the clock.

The Saints had a chance to extend the lead before halftime. Quarterback Ben Chesser connected with receiver Numehnne Gwilly on a 55-yard pass during a 70-yard march, but the clock ran out before Thomas More could reach the end zone.

Kicker Davis Burleigh also hit the upright on a 22-yard field goal try late in the half, according to Wheeling's game recap.

The Cardinals flipped the game after the break. Wheeling tied it at 7-7 on a 13-yard touchdown pass with 6:15 left in the third quarter, then took the lead on a 26-yard field goal.

In the fourth quarter, Wheeling added a 26-yard touchdown pass, a second field goal and a rushing score. That four-play drive took just 21 seconds, pushing the margin to 27-7 with 1:48 remaining.

Burleigh drilled a 30-yard field goal with fewer than 10 seconds left for the game's last points.

Chesser finished with 196 passing yards and 38 rushing yards, according to Thomas More's official recap. Gwilly caught nine passes for 80 yards. Javion Bostic added nine receptions for 55 yards.

Defensively, Toto Luani and Josh Dugan each recorded eight total tackles. Luani and Judson Lawrie each had four solo stops.

Wheeling outgained Thomas More 418 total yards to 259 and held the ball for more than 35 minutes compared to the Saints' 23 minutes, per Wheeling's recap.

Thomas More (0-1) has a bye week before traveling to face the University of Dayton on Sept. 12 with a noon kickoff.