WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — Riding a five-game winning streak and off to their best start since 2009, the West Liberty University football team returns to West Family Stadium on Saturday for a Homecoming matchup against West Virginia Wesleyan. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

The Hilltoppers enter the Mountain East Conference contest at 5-1 overall and 3-0 in league play, having won all three conference games on the final possession. West Virginia Wesleyan comes to the hilltop at 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the MEC after defeating Fairmont State, 34-16, on Oct. 10.

West Liberty's latest victory may have been its most dramatic yet. The Hilltoppers rallied from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit at West Virginia State on Oct. 3 before winning 41-38 in overtime. Hunter Patterson provided the decisive play, scoring on an 18-yard touchdown run in overtime to cap another comeback victory.

Head coach Chad Salisbury is proud of his team's ability to finish close games, but he knows the Hilltoppers cannot continue to rely on late rallies against conference opponents.

"Obviously very proud when they continue to play like that, to finish games like that," Salisbury said. "It does give you a sense of pride. It does make you think that they're really buying into some of the things that we think are important."
At the same time, Salisbury has emphasized the importance of getting off to better starts and putting together a complete performance.

"But still we continue to show our youth by not showing up early in games, by putting ourselves behind in games," Salisbury said. "That's what we pull our hair out all week trying to prepare them to do that."

He added, "I do trust that these kids will continue to play. Eventually somebody's going to get up on us, and it's not going to be a game we're going to be able to come back. We need to just play a complete game."

The Hilltoppers used their bye week to focus on player health and preparation for the Bobcats. Salisbury said the team's health was the primary concern, with trainers providing treatment while the coaching staff scaled back practice time and continued its game-planning work.

"Health was the number one thing, so our trainers did a good job," Salisbury said. "There was a lot of treatment for our guys. They continued to lift in the strength program, but we did pull back a little bit in the practices."

The additional preparation gave West Liberty time to study the Bobcats, and Salisbury was pleased with how the players responded when the team returned to practice.

"We had plenty of film from Wesleyan to start the game planning, and I thought our kids did a good job of it," he said. "I thought they really did a good job of retaining it Monday when they got back."

West Liberty's offense features one of the nation's most productive all-purpose players in senior running back Hunter Patterson. Through games played Oct. 10, Patterson ranked No. 2 nationally in NCAA Division II in rushing yards per game (165.7), all-purpose yards per game (218.8), scoring (16.3 points per game) and total touchdowns (16). He had totaled 994 rushing yards, 319 receiving yards and 1,313 all-purpose yards through six games.

Quarterback Kohl Meisman complements Patterson's production with a balanced passing attack. Meisman ranks third in the MEC in passing yards per game at 203.3, completing 66% of his attempts for 1,220 yards and 13 touchdowns with three interceptions. As a team, West Liberty ranks third in the conference in scoring offense at 34.0 points per game and total offense at 403.3 yards per game.

Salisbury said the focus heading into Saturday remains on the Hilltoppers' own execution rather than the opponent's record or reputation.

"It's something that we say all the time. It's just about us. It really is because it doesn't matter who the opponent is," Salisbury said. "If we're executing at a high level, we have a chance. And if we come out like we've done in some periods where we're flat, it could get bad."

He continued, "Every team in this league is capable, and we have to respect the game enough to come out and do it the right way for 60 minutes."

West Virginia Wesleyan presents a challenge through its passing game. Quarterback Liam McGuire has thrown for 941 yards and 10 touchdowns, while wide receiver Amari Colon-Brown has recorded 37 receptions for 805 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 115.0 receiving yards per game. Running backs Jeremiah King and Reimello Hyde have combined for 758 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Bobcats average 322.4 yards of total offense per game, while their defense ranks third in the MEC in scoring defense, allowing 28.0 points per contest.

Salisbury has tremendous respect for the Wesleyan program and head coach Mike Kellar, whom he considers a mentor. The matchup also carries a special family connection, as West Liberty defensive coordinator Anthony Kellar is Mike's son.

"Mike Kellar is a mentor of mine, so I have great respect for his program and what he's done," Salisbury said. "He recruited really well. He's kind of trying to do the exact same thing we're doing. He's trying to take the right group of returners and add them to a great recruiting class."

Salisbury also pointed to the Bobcats' offensive weapons as a key challenge for the Hilltoppers' defense.

"You know, he's got two very good tailbacks, two wide receivers that can go," Salisbury said. "So again, another test for our defense, which is ironic, obviously, because Mike calls the plays and his son is our defensive coordinator."

Saturday will mark Salisbury's first opportunity to coach a Homecoming game at West Liberty. He said the players have been looking forward to the atmosphere and talking about the weekend since returning from the victory at West Virginia State.

"Our guys are excited, which tells me that it must be a really cool time up here," Salisbury said. "They've talked about it on the bus coming home from State, so they're looking forward to it."

Even with the extra excitement, the message remains the same: focus on preparation, take the week one day at a time and carry that work onto the field.

"I think our guys understand that the process has to be the most important thing with a team like this, a young team," Salisbury said. "And hopefully, we're taking Monday just as important as Saturdays."

For the Hilltoppers, a Homecoming victory would extend their winning streak to six games, preserve their unbeaten record in conference play and give the home crowd another reason to celebrate. West Liberty leads the all-time series with West Virginia Wesleyan, 43-24-1, and has won seven consecutive meetings and 10 of the last 11, including a 35-11 victory last season.

As Salisbury put it, the coaches' immediate goal is straightforward: "Our goal as coaches is to make sure that we're locked in on what we're supposed to do ... and hopefully, what we need to do is try to get a win and it'll make everybody's Homecoming better."



West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.