WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — West Liberty University came up just short in an overtime thriller on Saturday afternoon, falling 45–44 to Fairmont State at West Family Stadium. Head coach Roger Waialae's Hilltoppers racked up 651 yards of total offense and had a chance to win it on the final play, but their two-point conversion attempt came up short.

"I'd make that call 100 out of 100 times," Waialae said of the decision to go for the win instead of the tie in overtime.

The loss marked the second straight year the Hilltoppers have fallen to Fairmont State by a single point. Last season, the Falcons edged West Liberty 36–35, and Saturday's game was another instant classic between the two rivals. It also marked West Liberty's first overtime game since 2022, when the Hilltoppers defeated Fairmont State 27–24 in Fairmont on Oct. 13 of that season.

The Hilltoppers (2-7, 2-4) showcased a balanced and explosive attack led by Antevious Jackson, who threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 159 yards and another score. Hunter Patterson added 219 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries, including a 60-yard burst that ignited the West Family Stadium crowd.

Fairmont State struck first, taking a 7–0 lead early in the opening quarter before West Liberty answered on a 48-yard touchdown strike from Jackson to Osama Hurst. The Hilltoppers surged ahead just before the end of the period when Patterson powered in from two yards out for a 14–7 advantage.

The Falcons tied it on a 75-yard touchdown run by Leonard Farrow, but West Liberty regained the lead just before halftime. Justice Lawrence intercepted a pass and returned it 85 yards for a touchdown, sending the Hilltoppers into the locker room up 21–14.

The second half was a back-and-forth showcase of big plays. After a Fairmont touchdown tied it, Jackson connected with Antevious Jackson for a 55-yard scoring pass, then Patterson broke free for his 60-yard touchdown to make it 35–21. The Falcons closed the gap to 35–28 heading into the fourth quarter.

A 32-yard field goal by Chase Hile extended West Liberty's lead to 38–28 early in the final quarter, but Fairmont State clawed back with a touchdown and late field goal to tie the game at 38–38, forcing overtime.

In the extra session, Fairmont's Nino Marzullo found Winston Page for an 11-yard touchdown to give the Falcons a 45–38 lead. West Liberty quickly answered as Jackson hit Trey Singleton for 20 yards, then ran it in himself from five yards out to make it 45–44.

Waialae elected to go for the two-point conversion and the win, but Jackson's pass attempt fell incomplete, sealing the one-point defeat.

Defensively, Bre'Andre Horsley led the Hilltoppers with 14 tackles, while Lawrence's interception return provided one of the game's biggest moments.

West Liberty will look to rebound next Saturday when it travels to Charleston for a 1 p.m. kickoff.