West Virginia State Jackets Fall to Fairmont State

INSTITUTE, West Virginia -- The Yellow Jackets came into Saturday's game one of the most banged up teams in the Mountain East Conference.

Meanwhile Fairmont State was possibly the hottest team in the MEC after big wins against Shepherd and Glenville State.

That combination along with gray skies, cool temperatures, and a nearly constant light rain made for a long afternoon at Dickerson Stadium as WVSU lost 41-12 to the visiting Falcons.

"They were the best team we've played," WVSU Head Coach John Pennington said."They were good in every part of the game."

Neither squad could produce much offense in the opening half which ended 13-6 in favor of Fairmont State as WVSU could only manage a pair of field goals by senior Aaron Ball.

"The defense did a great job in the first half," Pennington said. "Their line was huge and I think they wore us down some."

The Yellow Jackets have lost a total of eight starters to injury since the season began. Saturday the Falcon used their size and depth advantage up front to rush for 333 yards, the most allowed by the Jackets this season. That allowed Fairmont State to maintain possession of the ball almost nine minutes longer than the Jackets which only compounded the problem.

The Falcon offense found its footing in the third period. After missing a field goal on its first possession Fairmont State proceeded to score on its next three possessions including a blocked punt in the WVSU endzone.

The Yellow Jackets hit paydirt in the fourth quarter when Kyle Alexander intercepted a pass at the WVSU two yard line and returned it to the 30. WVSU put together its best drive of the day going the rest of the way in nine plays with Faustino Saucedo hitting A.J. Barrette from four yards out for the touchdown.

BOX SCORE

Fairmont added one more touchdown in the fourth period on a seven play, 65-yard drive, that finished with a 24-yard touchdown run.

Saucedo finished 21-of-37 passing for 191 yards while Carl Garmon led the ground game with 75 yards on 12 carries. Zach Pate caught eight passes for 68 yards and returned two punts for 48.

Joe Stoneman and Robert Branch each had 11 tackles to lead the defensive effort.

The Yellow Jackets (4-5) travel to Urbana (4-5) next week for a 1 p.m. kickoff. The Blue Knights have lost four in a row after a strong start including a 28-21 decision at Glenville State Saturday.

WVSU then wraps up the season at home against West Virginia Wesleyan (1-7) at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 10. 

WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS