WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - The West Liberty University football team is set to host Alderson Broaddus this evening in a Thursday night special at West Family Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 pm. This will be the first Mountain East Conference game of the season for the Hilltoppers.

West Liberty enters tonight with a 1-0 record after winning the season opener on the road at Clarion, 21-14, last Thursday. The Hilltoppers scored all 21 points in the first half and never trailed, fending off a late second half push from the Golden Eagles to earn victory number one. The defense held Clarion to just 97 passing yards and swiped two interceptions, both by Shon Stephens in crucial situations. The first a pick-six 30 seconds before the halftime horn and the second in the endzone as the Golden Eagles were charging to tie the game in the fourth quarter. Zach Dixon also forced a fumble for the 'Topper defense in the first half which led to the first Hilltopper score of the evening.

Quincy Wimbish, Jr. punched in the first TD the play immediatley following Dixon's forced fumble. In his first game back since the spring 2021 season, Wimbish rushed for 96 yards on 25 attempts. Jamie Diven threw for 164 yards and a TD, which came on a 48-yard strike to Rashawn Harvey in the second quarter. He ended the night completing 14-of-23 passes and also rushed nine times for 32 yards, including a long of 13 yards.

Alderson Broaddus suffered a 45-28 defeat at home against Mercyhurst last Saturday to start its campaign 0-1. The Battlers fought back to make it a three-point game midway through the second quarter but that would be as close as they got after Mercyhurst posted two consecutive touchdowns. 21 of the Battlers 28 points in the opener were scored in the second half. They threw for 343 yards and rushed for 80 to own the total offense advantage 423-350. Jaylen Tregle started and tossed three TD's but also surrendered three interceptions, while back-up Dawson Skinner threw a touchdown and a pick in limited time.

Last season, the teams met in the Week 2 MEC opener as well. That time in Philippi, West Liberty shutout the Battlers 24-0. Diven passed for two touchdowns and Tyler Moler rushed for 105 yards on just 15 carries to lead the offense. The defense sacked AB seven times and made 13 tackles for loss in the win. It was the Hilltoppers first shutout since 2013 and one of two in the 2021 season.

Live video and statistics will be available courtesy of the WLU Sports Information Office, along with game updates on West Liberty Football's official Twitter account. Links to coverage can be found below.
LIVE VIDEO LINK  |  LIVE STATS LINK  | @WLU_Football on Twitter

After tonight's home and conference opener, West Liberty will be back on the road next weekend at Notre Dame College for its first Saturday game of the season. Kickoff from South Euclid, Ohio is scheduled for 12 noon.

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