BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University football team scored two touchdowns in the last two minutes of the game at West Virginia Wesleyan to come away with a 39-36 victory on Saturday afternoon.

West Virginia State (6-2, 6-1 MEC) kept its playoff hopes alive with the win. On the other hand, West Virginia Wesleyan (1-7, 1-6 MEC) was left wanting more after failing to upset the Yellow Jackets.

Senior quarterback Austin Hensley completed 28 of his 54 pass attempts for 382 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Sophomore wideout Tyrone Lyte was targeted eight times. His 118 receiving yards was a career-high. Senior receiver Isiah Scott also surpassed 100 receiving yards and came down with two touchdown receptions.

Junior linebacker Dustin Crouser recorded eight solo tackles and wrapped up the opposing quarterback for a sack with teammate Anthony Casillas.  Junior defensive back Tyler Jones was active in the open field with six solo tackles.

 Junior kicker Martin Ahlstroem pinned the Bobcats deep with seven punts for 285 yards (40.7-yard average), including two punts inside the 20-yard line. His longest punt went 64-yards. All six of his kickoffs were touchbacks and his lone field goal attempt was good from 26-yards out.

Both offenses had issues getting going in the beginning of the game. The first points on the board didn't come until there was less than a minute remaining in the first quarter. The A-to-Z (Austin Hensley to Zach Pate) connection lit up the scoreboard with a 46-yard pass completion for a touchdown.

West Virginia State scored again early in the second quarter to go up 14-0. Fullback Dant'e Jones finished off the nine-play, 57-yard drive with a five-yard rush over the goal line.

The Bobcats responded on the next possession with a touchdown of their own and converted a two-point try to cut the deficit to six points, 14-8, with less than two minutes left in the half.

The Yellow Jackets tried for a quick score on the following possession, but ended up giving the ball back after a three-and-out.  West Virginia Wesleyan capitalized on the situation and connected on a 42-yard pass to go ahead 15-14 before the conclusion of the first half.

The only score of the third quarter came from a blocked punt that was recovered by WVWC for a touchdown. The Bobcats held a 22-14 lead going into the fourth quarter.

After recovering a fumble and driving 63-yards down the field, WVSU was forced to settle for a short field goal to start the final quarter. The 26-yard kick through the uprights left the Yellow Jackets trailing by five points, 22-17.

West Virginia State finally reclaimed the lead with a 48-yard bomb to Lyte that was followed up by a 2-yard rush by Dant'e Jones for the TD. The score gave WVSU a 25-22 advantage with 4:43 remaining in the game.

West Virginia Wesleyan took two minutes off the clock on the next possession and completed a 32-yard touchdown pass to go up 29-25. In less than 30-seconds, Hensley was able to find Scott open for a 31-yard touchdown (32-29). WVWC then took over with 1:35 on the clock and scored in just over 30-seconds to go up again, 36-32.

West Virginia State started its final drive on its own 32-yard line with 57-seconds left in the contest. Hensley completed four consecutive passes to get down to West Virginia Wesleyan's 20-yard line. With 17 seconds showing on the scoreboard, Hensley lobbed a pass to Scott in the back of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.

WVSU limited its penalty count to six for 60 yards. Conversely, WVWC committed eight penalties for a costly 157 yards.

The Yellow Jackets take on crosstown rivals Charleston at home for their next game on Saturday, Nov. 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.