Football | 10/24/2019 9:54:00 AM

    WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The resurgent West Liberty University football team faces some significant challenges on Saturday when the Black and Gold shoot for their third straight win as the Homecoming opponent at Fairmont State.
    Kickoff is set for 2:05 p.m. at the Falcons' Duvall-Rosier Field.
    Coach Roger Waialae's Hilltoppers (4-3, 3-3) are coming off a thrilling 41-38 overtime win at Walsh (Ohio) last week but it proved to be a costly victory as WLU lost senior quarterback Zach Phillips to a season-ending injury early in the fourth quarter.
    The injury, which came moments after Phillips had led the Hilltoppers on a game-tying 91-yard touchdown drive, resulted in sophomore QB Erick Taylor seeing his first extended action of the season. After the Cavaliers booted a field goal on the opening possession of overtime, Taylor hit tight end Thomas Cole for the game-winner from 10 yards out to put WLU over the .500 mark.
    "Erick's a pretty athletic kid who throws the ball really well and can also run with it," Waialae said. "Our focus is always on doing what we do best and we don't have to change much with Erick in there. Right now, what's working best for us is getting the ball out to our wide receivers and letting them make plays. Erick can definitely do that."
    The Hilltoppers had nearly 400 yards through the air a week ago. Junior WR Isaiah Robinson led the way with a career-high 11 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. Cole finished with 7 catches for 57 yards and a score while sophomore WR Nate Phillips had 77 yards and a TD on three grabs and senior WR Christian Rita checked in with 6 receptions for 59 yards.
    They will likely need every bit of that production on Saturday as they take on a Fairmont State (2-5) team that began the season ranked in the Top 25 but has struggled throughout despite possessing one of the most potent offenses in the nation.
    The Falcons and Tiffin (Ohio) are the only NCAA D2 ranked in the Top 20 nationally in rushing offense, passing offense, total offense and scoring offense. Fairmont is scoring at a staggering 40.6 ppg. clip while averaging 282.1 yards per game through the air and another 235.0 yards per game on the ground.
    "It's Homecoming over there so it's going to be a great game-day atmosphere," Waialae said. "I'm sure they'll come in with a little chip on their shoulders because their season hasn't gone the way they expected it to go but make no mistake, that's a very talented football team with playmakers all over the field."
    Fairmont's offensive stat chart certainly bears that out. The tailback tandem of Khalik Hamlin and Tyree Randolph has combined for nearly 1,300 rushing yards through the first seven games while averaging well over six yards per carry. Senior QB Takwan Crews-Naylor has completed more than 60 percent of his passes for just under 2,000 yards. His average of 17.4 yards per completion ranks No. 2 among all NCAA D2 signalcallers.
    "Obviously it's a big challenge for our defense," Waialae said. "We have to stop the run, try to force them to play behind the sticks and give our guys a chance to make plays.
    "We didn't play very well at Walsh but still found a way to get out of there with a win. We have to play much better than that Saturday to give ourselves that same opportunity."
    The Hilltoppers will have a short week after the Fairmont game as they return home to host Urbana in the final Thursday night game of the season on Halloween. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at West Family Stadium.