JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. --  West Virginia State (0-1) opened the 2025 football season on the road with a 41-10 loss to Carson-Newman (1-0) on Saturday afternoon at Burke-Tarr Stadium in Jefferson City, Tenn. The Yellow Jackets moved the ball effectively at times, piling up 374 yards of total offense, but struggled to sustain drives and protect the quarterback. WVSU finished just 3-for-12 on third downs and surrendered four sacks in the contest.

The Yellow Jackets totaled 374 yards on 59 plays, averaging 6.3 yards per snap. WVSU gained 133 yards on the ground, led by a balanced group of rushers, while sophomore quarterback Kaleb Jackson threw for 241 yards on 16-of-25 passing. Carson-Newman countered with 477 yards of offense, rushing for 345 yards and adding 132 through the air. WVSU was flagged seven times for 55 yards, compared to five penalties for 47 yards against CN.

Jackson paced the offense through the air, connecting with six different receivers. Amare Ary caught five passes for 76 yards, while Malik Baker added three receptions for 67 yards, including a long of 43. Javian Jones contributed two catches for 63 yards. On the ground, senior Justin Pessoa carried 17 times for 64 yards and the team's lone touchdown. Defensively, Marshawn Mankins recorded nine tackles, while Mike Wilson had seven stops up front.

WVSU struck first midway through the opening quarter when Joseph Shrader capped a 61-yard drive with a 30-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. Carson-Newman responded quickly, as freshman quarterback Tedros Gleaton hit Jaden Griffin on a 66-yard touchdown pass to put the Eagles on top 7-3.

In the second quarter, CN extended its lead with two rushing scores, one from Mario Sanchez and another from Gleaton, making it 21-3 at halftime. The WVSU defense had bright moments, including forcing a turnover on downs deep in its own territory, but the Eagles' run game consistently produced chunk plays.

Carson-Newman continued to control the game in the third, with Sanchez capping another drive with a short touchdown run. The Jackets' defense forced a pair of three-and-outs in the quarter, keeping the margin within reach.

WVSU found the end zone early in the fourth when Pessoa punched in a 17-yard touchdown run, trimming the deficit to 28-10. CN quickly answered, however, with touchdown runs from Jayden Sullins and backup quarterback Tedros Gleaton to close out the 41-10 final.

West Virginia State will look to bounce back in its home opener on Saturday, Sept. 6, when the Yellow Jackets host Barton College at noon at Lakin-Ray Field at Dickerson Stadium.