FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University football team generated 458 yards of total offense Saturday afternoon, but suffered a 41-18 loss to Fairmont State University. WVSU falls to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in Mountain East Conference play, while Fairmont State improves to 1-4 overall and 1-1 in MEC action.
Kaleb Jackson completed 24-of-39 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns while adding 51 rushing yards on 12 carries.
Malik Baker caught 11 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown, while
Amare Ary recorded five receptions for 63 yards. Defensively,
Mike Fontaine logged a solo sack, while
Julian Whitfield and
Willie DeSantis IV shared the team lead with seven tackles apiece, including five solo stops each.
Fairmont State returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead before adding a field goal on its following possession to extend the margin to 10-0. WVSU answered late in the first quarter with a 5-play, 70-yard scoring drive capped by a 49-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to Baker to cut the deficit to 10-6.
Fairmont State scored touchdowns on its next two possessions to build a 24-6 advantage with 10:28 remaining in the second quarter before adding another touchdown late in the period to take a 31-6 lead into halftime.
Following a Falcons field goal late in the third quarter, WVSU answered on its next drive as
Devin Cox broke free for an 84-yard touchdown run to bring the score to 34-12. Fairmont State countered with another touchdown to extend the lead to 41-12.
The Yellow Jackets mounted an immediate response, as Jackson connected with Ary for 26 yards before hitting Baker on consecutive completions of 12 and 39 yards to setup first-and-goal at the Fairmont State 7-yard line. Jackson then found
Osama Hurst for a 3-yard touchdown pass to make it 41-18.
WVSU returns to Lakin-Ray Field at Dickerson Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 3, to host West Liberty University for Homecoming. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
