INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University football team posted 404 yards of total offense Saturday afternoon, but the Yellow Jackets fell 28-23 to West Virginia Wesleyan College. The loss drops WVSU to 1-3 on the season, while the Bobcats improve to 2-2.
Justin Pessoa rushed for 110 yards for the Yellow Jackets, while
Amare Ary and
Devin Cox each added rushing touchdowns.
Osama Hurst caught four passes for 68 yards, and
Malik Leggett hauled in a 14-yard touchdown reception.
Both teams punted on their opening drives before the Yellow Jackets capped a drive with a 25-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead. On its final drive of the first quarter, WVSU marched 99 yards on 10 plays, capped by a Cox 7-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 10-0. The Bobcats answered with a touchdown late in the second quarter to pull within 10-7 heading into halftime.
After trading punts throughout a scoreless third quarter, West Virginia Wesleyan took its first lead early in the fourth on a 4-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-10. Following consecutive three-and-outs, WVSU took over at the 8:10 mark and needed just three plays to strike back as Ary broke free for a 67-yard touchdown run to reclaim a 17-14 lead.
The Bobcats responded with back-to-back touchdowns to build a 28-17 advantage with three minutes remaining. The Yellow Jackets answered quickly, orchestrating an eight-play, 85-yard drive that ended with
Joe Dailey connecting with Leggett for a 14-yard touchdown pass to bring WVSU within 28-23 with just over three minutes to play.
Following an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt, WVSU lined up for an onside kick, which was recovered by the Bobcats to seal the Mountain East Conference victory.
WVSU returns to action Saturday, Sept. 26, traveling to face Fairmont State University. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. The Yellow Jackets return home Oct. 3 for their Homecoming game against West Liberty University.
