The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

RONDRE Knowles-Tener and his Virginia-Wise Cavaliers football programme return to a full regular season for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

After the South Atlantic Conference cancelled fall sports in 2020, the conference shifted to an amended four-game season last spring and returns to a full schedule this fall.

Knowles-Tener, a fifth-year defensive tackle and Grand Bahama native, was named to the SAC Preseason Players to Watch List and the Cavs were picked eighth in the poll.

The Cavs are scheduled to play 11 games over 11 consecutive weeks beginning September 4 against Virginia University Lynchburg. They will follow with a matchup against East Tennessee State University and then eight SAC games.’

Matthew White will be the Cavs new defensive coordinator this season and the programme describes Knowles-Tener as “a disruptive nose tackle,” expected to be one of the leaders on defence.

As a junior, he became a force on the defensive line and led the team with seven sacks.

In addition to his career high sack numbers this season, he also reached several other career high marks this season with 38 total tackles, 10 tackles for a loss (54 yards), and a team leading four quarterback hurries.

He opened the season with one sack and four tackles, including one for a loss, against Chowan University.

In game two he had a season high two sacks and four tackles against Tennessee Tech.

He also recorded sacks against Carson-Newman, Tusculum and Newberry (0.5).

After struggling to earn playing time in his first two seasons with the James Madison Dukes, Knowles-Tener decided to leave the programme and transfer to the Cavs.