Big games were common for Daniel Thomas in his high school career at Bell County on the way to winning Mr. Football honors in 2023.
Thomas had his first big game on the collegiate level Saturday for UVA- Wise as he carried the ball a whopping 43 times for 161 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday in a hard-fought 31-24 loss to visiting Newberry. The Cavaliers trailed by 14 early in the fourth quarter when UVA Wise responded with a determined drive. Thomas rushed for 37 yards on six carries, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown run with 8:47 remaining, narrowing the deficit to seven. The Cavaliers drove to the Newberry 2 before being stopped on downs to end the game.
Thomas opened the second quarter with a 31-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 14-14 just seven seconds into the period.
Thomas’ 161 yards are the third-most in the program’s NCAA Era (2013-present), trailing only the 231 by Jamorya Cousin vs. Concord on Sept. 15, 2018.  They are also the most by a Highland Cavalier in a game since Jaevon Gillespie had 166 vs. Carson-Newman on Sept. 25, 2021.
The Cavs will travel to Salisbury, N.C., on Saturday to face Catawba in South Atlantic Conference action. The matchup is set for a 6 p.m. kickoff.