By Derek Redd, Local Universities Reporter 

      As time ran out in the first quarter of West Virginia State's win last Thursday over Fairmont State, the Yellow Jackets had already scored as many points in those 15 minutes than they had in any full game last season.Then the 22 points of that first quarter turned to 37 at halftime, which turned to 59 at the final whistle.
     The Yellow Jackets had won their season opener 59-34 over Fairmont State, scored more points in a game than they had in more than seven years, and put even more spring in the steps of every State player heading into Saturday's 1 p.m. home opener versus Urbana.
      It's an uncommon sight to see WVSU sitting atop the conference in scoring offense, but there the Yellow Jackets were following their blowout win over the Falcons.
     "That's what you hope for is an explosion of points, obviously," State coach Jon Anderson said. "And that's what you plan for. Everybody wants to be successful, but it was great to see the plans put in place and it was great to see the execution."I didn't know we'd score that many," he continued, "but I knew we'd be able to put some points on the board."
      The Yellow Jackets' previous offensive issues were significant. State scored just 9.6 points per game in 2013, Anderson's first season in Institute. That average nudged up to 13.1 last season, but that still left State with the second-lowest scoring average in the Mountain East Conference.Anderson hired former Yellow Jackets assistant John Pennington back to the staff in January, this time as offensive coordinator. With him came a new offensive scheme, one that added up-tempo elements, but still had the ability to slow things down and chew up clock.
     The result last Thursday was a slew of offensive marks the Yellow Jackets hadn't reached in years.State's 279 rushing yards were the most since gaining 414 against Charleston on Nov. 12, 2011. Its 509 yards of total offense were the most since recording 630 versus Johnson C. Smith on Sept. 3, 2011. And its 59 points were the most scored since the Yellow Jackets beat Lincoln (Mo.) 67-13 on Aug. 30, 2008.
     The team that averaged 18 first downs per game and 4.3 yards per play last season racked up 33 first downs and 6.8 yards per play against Fairmont State. Every unit on offense played well, but the Yellow Jackets' offensive line showed major improvement from last season. That group tied Virginia-Wise for most sacks allowed in the MEC last season, giving up 34, and State's coaches spent the offseason improving both its performance and depth.WVSU's offensive line allowed just one sack for a loss of 1 yard last Thursday against the Falcons.
     "Anytime you can rush for almost 280 yards, they're doing the job up front," Anderson said. "And that was great to see that group of guys, they're not going to get their names in the paper and don't get the rushing touchdowns, but that's where it starts for us."
     The Yellow Jackets also got big games out of a trio of young running backs. Three State runners were among the top 10 rushers in the MEC in the first week, and none of them have reached their junior season. Freshman Tyrone Barber led WVSU with 103 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries, sophomore Tevin Brown rushed for 87 yards and a score on 16 carries, and sophomore Kelvit Barrett rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.
     "I like how versatile we are, how many weapons we have and how many backs we can use," Barber said. "And the play calling, we're an up-tempo team, trying to snap the ball as fast as we can, so teams aren't ready. We're trying to be as fast as we can and execute the plays."That offensive improvement supplied enough energy for the defense to feed off. With State's offense staying on the field, it allowed the defense to catch its breath and rest long enough to return to the field at full strength.
     That was a helpful boost, linebacker Dennis Gardeck said."It gives us confidence," Gardeck said. "It's like, 'Offense, way to do your job. We're gonna get you the ball back and hopefully you guys can do it again.' "
     The Yellow Jackets hope their next big offensive game won't take years to develop, and it might not take that long at all. Urbana allowed seven touchdowns to Glenville State in a 49-0 loss last Saturday. Anderson appreciates seeing his team at the top of the MEC scoring charts after the first week, but he said State is working to see if it can stay there.
   "At this time of year, it's nice and it's a Week 1 benefit for us, but ultimately, we're interested in long-term results," Anderson said. "We've left that performance behind and we're truly focused on the next one."

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