WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – Two teams looking to get back to the .500 mark collide here Saturday when West Liberty hosts Fairmont State in the annual Homecoming Game at West Family Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Both teams are coming off lop-sided losses a week ago. The Hilltoppers (2-3, 2-2) came out on the short end of a 39-13 count at NCAA Division I FCS Duquesne while the Falcons (2-3, 2-3) dropped a 45-21 verdict to No. 23-ranked Concord.

Hilltopper head coach Roger Waialae sees some similarities between the two squads.

"When you break down the tape, you can see both teams are doing things a little better each week," Waialae said. "The execution is improving but we've both had some injuries to deal with which has affected the consistency."

West Liberty's chances of springing the upset went by the board in the first half last week when the Hilltoppers dropped a sure touchdown pass, missed a short field goal and had another pass picked off inside the Duquesne 5, allowing the Dukes to open up a 22-0 lead at intermission. 

The Falcons hung tough with the high-powered Mountain Lions for most of the first half last week, trailing just 21-14 midway through the second quarter, only to see Concord reel off 24 unanswered points to put the game out of reach.

An injury-riddled Hilltopper secondary had three interceptions against Duquesne after picking off only one pass in the first four games but still surrendered 330 passing yards against the Dukes' fleet receiving corps.

Fairmont has had its own defensive issues – the Falcons rank dead last in the MEC in total defense (487.0 ypg.) and are giving up nearly 40 points a game – but the Marion County squad has flashed some impressive offensive numbers.

Quarterback Cooper Hibbs has completed 85-of-151 passes for 1,106 yards and 10 TDs with 6 interceptions in just four games, an average of 276.5 ypg., while sophomore WR Fabian Guerra is the leading receiver in the MEC with an average of nearly 8 catches and 109 receiving yards per game.

A deep stable of running backs headed by junior Austin White, who ran for 108 yards against Concord last week, is capable of keeping opposing defenses honest.

"They have some playmakers on offense," Waialae said. "The quarterback throws a nice ball and ESPN had one of (Guerra's) touchdown catches as one of its Plays of the Day last week. It's going to be very important to control the line of scrimmage, get some pressure on the quarterback and not let them get their running game going."

Waialae had mixed reviews on the injury front.

"I think we're finally starting to get a little healthier on offense but we'll still have a lot of game-time decisions with the defense," he said. "(Freshman DB Charles) Simons had his best game at Duquesne with an interception and a couple of other big plays but he's doubtful for Saturday right now along with some other guys. That's no excuse. It's just football. 

Some of our younger kids are going to have to step up – probably sooner than they expected."

After giving up an early 26-yard scamper, Duquesne was able to keep West Liberty QB Dakota Conwell bottled up for most of the day on Saturday. Conwell, who had topped the 100-yard rushing mark in a win against West Virginia State, was held to just 36 rushing yards on 12 carries while completing 14-of-34 passes for 134 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

"Fairmont hasn't played a team with a quarterback that runs as much as Dakota," Waialae said, "so we're not sure how they're going to defend us. The numbers don't show it but Dakota's throwing better every week. We had a few drops and made bad reads on some routes or his completion percentage would be a good bit higher. 

"We had several chances to put points on the board last week, especially in the first half, but we didn't execute. We need to take the improvement I'm seeing on tape and make that translate into points on the scoreboard. It's not enough to create opportunities; we have to finish them."

GAME NOTES

X West Liberty and Fairmont State have a total of six losses. Those six opponents are a combined 27-3 this season 

X The official dedication ceremony for West Family Stadium will highlight halftime festivities

X The Homecoming King and Queen will also be announced during halftime and the newest members of the West Liberty University Alumni Wall of Fame will be introduced to the crowd.

X Attorney John William Hoppers of Columbus, Ohio; State Sen. Jeff Kessler of Glen Dale, W.Va.; and Dr. Mary Whitman of West Chester, Pa. will be added to the Alumni Wall of Honor on Saturdaymorning

X Hilltopper starting free safety Miles Young is a Homecoming King candidate