University's football team has lost three games this season, but only two of those came against in-state opponents – Wheeling Park and Morgantown.

The 21-0 loss to the Mohigans in their final regular-season game was a gut check for his Hawks, coach Eric Snyder said, and they emerged a better team. His offense used the shutout defeat, plus a bye week on Nov. 7, to start the playoffs running on all cylinders.

“In a loss, you get a little bit more exploited,” said Snyder of the loss to Morgantown. "That allowed us to diversify our offense a little bit more."

Since then, they’ve rolled over Parkersburg 62-14 and, in the second half of their 35-28 win over Huntington, the Hawks scored three straight touchdowns in the third quarter last Friday.

No. 7 seed University (9-3) gets another chance

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