The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

RONDRE Knowles-Tener and his Virginia-Wise Cavaliers Football programme will return to the field in March in an amended 2021 season.

The 13 members in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) are preparing for a delayed season where teams will compete in a four-game conference schedule, including a conference championship game from early March to mid-April.

The football teams have been divided into two divisions based on geography. The top team from each division will then play in a postseason championship game. All SAC teams can play a maximum of seven games to be determined at the discretion of each institution.

UVA opens the season March 13 when they host Carson-Newman University followed by matchups against Limestone College, Tusculum University and Mars Hill University.

The SAC Presidents Council had previously delayed the start of fall sports competition until September 26, but due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the presidents announced the postponement to the spring of 2021.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to give all of our fall sports student-athletes an opportunity to compete during the 2020-21 academic year,” said SAC Commissioner Patrick Britz. “While it may not be the season we had hoped for, we have developed schedules for all of our fall sport student-athletes that we feel will allow them to play outside competition, compete for a championship, and have a meaningful student-athlete experience.”

These fall sports seasons will not interfere with student-athlete’s eligibility, as the NCAA issued a blanket waiver allowing all 2020 fall sports student-athletes to retain their year of eligibility, regardless of the number of contests competed in during the 2020-21 season.

As a junior with the Cavs last season, Knowles-Tener became a force on the defensive line. The junior defensive tackle 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 over the last two seasons with the James Madison Dukes, Knowles-Tener decided to leave the programme and transfer to the Cavs.