INSTITUTE, W.Va. — West Virginia State (3-1, 2-0 MEC) dominated for a 60–39 result against Fairmont State (2-2, 0-2 MEC), winning for the fifth time in the last six meetings since 2019. After two opening punts and the Falcons striking first, the Jackets caught fire and scored on 10 straight possessions, piling up 547 total yards with back-to-back touchdown passes of 74 and 75 yards among the night's highlights.

For the first time all season, WVSU trailed first when Fairmont punched in a 5-yard run midway through the period. The Jackets settled in and, with 2:02 left in the quarter, Tony Hornbuckle drilled a 30-yard field goal to start the avalanche that followed.

The big plays arrived in waves in the second quarter. At 14:38, Kaleb Jackson uncorked a 74-yard strike to Amare Ary (PAT failed) to give State its first lead of the day. After Fairmont briefly answered, Nasean Hill banged in a 1-yard touchdown at 6:46 (Hornbuckle good), then Devin Cox ripped a 26-yard scoring run at 5:41 (Hornbuckle good). On the final snap of the half, Hornbuckle knocked through a 27-yard field goal to send WVSU to the locker room in command.

Coming out of halftime, State kept its foot down. At 12:25, Jackson found Malik Baker II on a 24-yard touchdown (Hornbuckle good). Jackson then showed the wheels at 6:59, bursting 51 yards for a rushing score (Hornbuckle good), a run that ended up being State's longest rush of the game. Moments later, at 3:56, Jackson and Ary connected again—this time for 75 yards (Hornbuckle good)—giving WVSU a pair of TD passes of 70+ yards in the same game.   

The streak reached double digits in the fourth quarter. At 12:36, JoJo Restall carved in from 16 yards (PAT failed), and at 10:14 Cox iced it with a 38-yard touchdown sprint (Hornbuckle good). Cox finished as a 100-yard rusher with two scores and a long of 38.

WVSU hit multiple milestones in the game:

• 60 points — first 60+ outing since Oct. 6, 2018 vs. Kentucky State (61).
• 547 yards of offense — most since Oct. 20, 2018 vs. West Virginia Wesleyan (617).
• 300+ rushing yards (327) — first since Nov. 5, 2022 vs. West Liberty (309). 

Quarterback Kaleb Jackson orchestrated the offense with remarkable efficiency, throwing for 244 yards and three touchdowns on just 16 attempts while also breaking loose for a 51-yard rushing score . His favorite target was Amare Ary, who finished with 178 yards and two long touchdowns on only four catches, including back-to-back strikes of 74 and 75 yards. Malik Baker II added a 24-yard touchdown reception to round out the aerial attack. On the ground, Devin Cox powered to 124 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by a 38-yard sprint, while JoJo Restall chipped in 83 yards and a 16-yard score. Nasean Hill also contributed with a bruising one-yard touchdown run as WVSU rolled up 327 rushing yards in all . Kicker Tony Hornbuckle was perfect from distance, converting field goals of 30 and 27 yards and adding six PATs for a 12-point night.

On defense, Keontavius McGrew made his presence felt with a pass breakup and a blocked kick to go along with a tackle , while Darrick Badley produced a pair of stops including a tackle for loss.

WVSU will travel to West Liberty on Saturday, Oct. 4 for a noon kickoff against the Hilltoppers.