WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - The West Liberty University football team is 2-0 for the first time since 2007 and will look to continue that strong start today at Notre Dame College. It will be a tall task, as NDC enters the game ranked 17th in the nation. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 noon from South Euclid, Ohio.

Shon Stephens leads the Hilltopper defense, he leads Division II with seven passes defended and six interceptions over two games.  Stephens was named the D2Football.com National Defensive Player of the Week, MEC Defensive Player of the Week, WTRF News Robinson Auto Group Player of the Week, and Hilltopper of the Week after his MEC single-game record setting four-interception performance in the win over Alderson Broaddus.The WLU defense as a whole leads the country in interceptions after totaling six last week, as well as opponents' pass efficiency at 56.7. They also rank 11th in red zone defense, holding opponents to 50%. 

Last week, Rudy Garcia led the Hilltoppers in the second half and quickly turned a 10-3 halftime deficit into a 23-10 lead after three consecutive touchdown drives to begin the second half. Garcia will get the start at quarterback this afternoon, as Jamie Diven still recovers from injury. Garcia finished last week 11-14 for 122 yards with 2 TDs and had a pick. He also rushed for a 24-yard touchdown on a 4th down to give the Hilltoppers their first lead of the second half.

The Notre Dame Falcons are 1-1 on the young season and took down Wheeling in their conference opener last week at home by a score of 27-14. Ashland upended NDC in the season opener on the road on Sept. 1. Notre Dame is tied at No. 17 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II top 25 and No. 25 in the D2Football.com top 25. Notre Dame has been ranked in a national poll every week since Sept. 24, 2018. This is the 35th consecutive week inside the AFCA and D2Football top 25. NDC averages 20.5 points per game and gives up 22.5 per game two games into the season. They have won the passing yards battle in each game but have lost in rushing yards both times as well.

Live coverage of the game will be provided by Notre Dame College Sports Information, as well as updates on the official WLU Football twitter account.
LIVE VIDEO LINK  |  LIVE STATS LINK  |  TWITTER @WLU_FOOTBALL

Next week, West Liberty returns home to take on West Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday at 1 pm. The 41st annual Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place prior to the game and the class will be recognized at halftime on the field at West Family Stadium.

Follow the Hilltoppers all season online at HilltopperSports.com and on Twitter (@WLU_Football | @WLathletics), Instagram, and Facebook.

Watch Coach Waialae on this week's edition of Inside Hilltopper Athletics discussing last week and previewing today's matchup ↓