WHEELING — There will be live college football in the city of Wheeling on Saturday afternoon.

Wheeling Jesuit University — fresh off a scrimmage at FCS member Cornell — will make its official debut against Hocking College with kickoff slated for 1 p.m. at Bishop Schmitt Field.

“We’re ready,” Bruney said. “We’re hoping for a good crowd, good support and that we play well. Our main focus is to compete hard. We’re a young team and we’re going to make mistakes, but we want to make sure we are conducting ourselves the right way.”

For Bruney, last weekend wasn’t only a chance to see what his squad, which is comprised mostly of true freshmen, was all about it, but it also a chance for him to get back on the field and coach an actual team for the first time since 2016 when he was with Ohio Dominican University in Columbus.

“It’s been a long process,” Bruney said. “When you think of it in terms of time, it’s not been that long, but when you think of everything you have to do to to build the infrastructure of a college football program, it’s long. But, I’ve been fortunate to have the staff I do and they’ve come in, ready to roll their sleeves up and went to work.”

While Bruney wasn’t on the field all of last season, he was studying tape, building a recruiting class and literally everything else that’s needed for a football program to get going.

It all started to culminate when the Cardinals signed their initial recruiting class in Februrary, continued when those players arrived on campus last month and will come full circle when Hocking comes calling Saturday.

“Our guys have been banging on each other for a month in camp, so it was nice to get out there and play against another team,” Bruney said. “This is an actual contest this weekend, so I know the guys are excited. This game will be timed, score will be kept with officials and the whole nine.”

Bruney came away from the scrimmage with Cornell fairly pleased with what he saw from his squad, which has 72 in the program with 65 of those slated to suit up this weekend.

“They were big and looked like a FCS team and I thought we went toe-to-toe with them,” Bruney said. “Athletically, I thought we were able to match their speed if not a little faster. We hit some big plays on them in the passing game. I am pleased with how they competed and held up against an FCS team with FCS recruits. It was a good dress rehearsal for our guys.”

The Cardinals made the more than 6-hour trip to Ithaca, NY on Friday, ate dinner on the way, stayed in a hotel and then went through a normal pre-game routine.

The scrimmage consisted of special teams work, 7-on-7 drills, short-yardage situations and then a two-quarter, live scrimmage.

The team got back to Wheeling late Saturday and official game week commenced from there.

“We’ve been studying Hocking and we’re going out (Saturday) trying to win a game,” Bruney said. “We want to compete and put our best foot forward. Wins and losses can take care of themselves as long as we’re handling the day-to-day protocol and going about our business the right way.”

Bruney has been overly excited with the “buy-in factor” from his players and even their families.

“The kids have trusted us and we’ve trusted them,” Bruney said. “The families of the young men have been tremendous. You can tell they’ve received good guidance from home.”

The Cardinals’ roster is well stocked with former OVAC athletes, many of whom are expected to play key roles.

Bruney mentioned the likes of Jake Keenan (Toronto), Matt Greenwood (St. Clairsville), Jamaal Petteway (Steubenville), Jack Fitch (Martins Ferry), Luc Baker (River) and Ryan LaFollette (Monroe Central), Lucas Donley (Union Local), Dylan Baker (Wheeling Central) and Logan Tucker (Wheeling Park).

Here’s a look at other area proucts:

DIVISION I

COLTON MCKIVITZ, West Virginia — Union Local graduate made the start at right tackle in the Mountaineers’ win over Tennessee.

JOSH SILLS, West Virginia — The Meadowbrook product started at left guard as the Mountaineers rolled past the Volunteers.

AUSTIN DORRIS, Indiana — Shadyside graduate played in the Hoosiers’ victory over Florida International.

ROSS COMIS, UMass — Madonna alum completed 9-of-13 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 10 yards in the Minutemen’s loss to Boston College.

ELIJIAH BELL, North Carolina A&T — Wheeling Park product caught the game-winning touchown in the game against FBS opponent East Carolina. All told, he caught 6 passes for 65 yards and a touchdown.

CHUCKWUDI CHUCKWU, Ohio — Linsly School graduate registered four tackles, including 1.5 for loss in a win over Howard.

MAALIK RICHMOND, Youngstown State — Steubenville graduate posted 3 tackles in a loss to Butler.

MANDELLA LAWRENCE-BURKE, Kent — Steubenville product played in the Golden Flashes’ loss to Illinois.

DIVISION II

ROBERT VARGO, Ohio Dominican — Martins Ferry graduate began his senior season as the starter.

MATT BARBOUR, Ohio Dominican — Martins Ferry graduate played in the Panthers’ season-opening win.

COLE SKAGGS, West Virginia Wesleyan — St. Clairsville graduate had a big game in a loss, posting 5 tackles, including a half for a loss.

MATT HACKATHORN, Gannon — Wheeling Park graduate began his senior season by starting at right tackle.

ZACH PHILLIPS, West Liberty — Wheeling Park product made his debut after transferring from Gannon with a 23-of-37 passing effort for 209 yards and 2 interceptions. He also rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown.

CLAY MCDONALD, West Liberty — Wheeling Park product, who transferred from Gannon, posted 7 tackles and had one for loss.

BRENTON COLABELLA, West Liberty — Steubenville Central graduate played in last week’s loss to Urbana.

CLIFFORD CLARK, West Liberty — Cambridge graduate posted a team-high six tackles in the Hilltoppers’ loss.

CHANCE RUCKER, West Liberty — Caldwell graduate started at right tackle in the Hilltoppers’ setback.

AUSTIN WHIPKEY, West Liberty — Linsly product started at right guard for the Hilltoppers.

KYLE RITZ, West Liberty — Magnolia graduate played in the WLU loss.

CODY RINE, West Liberty — Brooke graduate posted 1.5 tackles last week.

ZACH CONNOR, West Liberty — Indian Creek graduate played in last week’s loss.

SAVION JOHNSON, West Liberty — Wheeling Park graduate carried one times in the Hilltoppers’ loss.

MAZEY MOSBY, West Liberty — Wheeling Park graduate caught one pass for 4 yards and also had a kickoff return.

THEO BLACKSTON, Mercyhurst — Wheeling Park graduate caught one pass for 12 yards.

DEVON HARRIS, Walsh — St. Clairsville graduate appeared in the Cavaliers victory.

ALIJAH DEMITRAS, Walsh — Steubenville graduate started at center for the Cavaliers.

Division III

TANNER CLARK, Marietta — Caldwell graduate had an impressive opener in a win over Geneva. He rushed 19 times for 128 yards and scored three touchdowns. He also caught three passes for 17 yards.

GAGE GIOVENGO, Marietta — Linsly graduate appeared in the Pioneers’ victory.

TROY PONTIUS, Marietta — Buckeye Trail graduate appeared in the Pioneers’ victory.

CHRISTIAN WITCHEY, St. Vincent’s — St. Clairsville graduate punted five times for 217 yards for a 43.4 yard average. He had a long of 49 yards.