GLENVILLE, W.Va. -
Hunter Patterson rushed for 161 yards and three touchdowns on just 10 carries, tying West Liberty University's career rushing touchdown record as the Hilltoppers rolled to a 44-22 Mountain East Conference victory over Glenville State on Saturday at Ike & Sue Morris Stadium.
The Hilltoppers (7-1, 5-0 MEC) seized control with 23 unanswered points in the first quarter, combining three rushing touchdowns with a safety to build an early lead. West Liberty finished with 278 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns while limiting the Pioneers (1-7, 0-5 MEC) to just 49 yards on the ground.
Patterson's three touchdowns brought his career rushing total to 43, tying Kevon Calhoun (2007-10) for the most in program history. The senior also continued his record-setting season, adding to his school career records for total touchdowns and points scored.
Anthony May added 89 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, helping the Hilltoppers control the ground game. Quarterback
Kohl Meisman completed 12 of 23 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown, while West Liberty finished 3-for-3 in the red zone with 21 points.
West Liberty opened the game with a 13-yard touchdown run by May before defensive lineman
Chris Thompson recorded a safety. Patterson followed with a 69-yard touchdown run, and his 28-yard scoring run later in the quarter completed the Hilltoppers' 23-point surge.
After Glenville State found the end zone in the second quarter, West Liberty answered with a three-play drive capped by Patterson's 47-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 30-7 with 8:43 remaining in the half. The defense added a key fourth-down stop when Alexander Pate recorded a sack at the West Liberty 23-yard line, forcing a turnover on downs. The Hilltoppers carried their 30-7 advantage into halftime.
Glenville State scored the only points of the third quarter, trimming the margin to 30-14. West Liberty put together a promising drive featuring Meisman completions of 20 yards to
Levi Gullion and 12 yards to
Dominic Diaz-Ellis, but the possession ended on downs at the Pioneers' 23-yard line.
The Hilltoppers responded early in the fourth quarter after Glenville State scored again.
Luca Neal returned the ensuing kickoff 74 yards to the Glenville State 17-yard line, and Meisman connected with Diaz-Ellis for a touchdown on the next play at 12:08 to make it 37-22.
West Liberty added the final score on a seven-play, 38-yard drive capped by May's 4-yard touchdown run. The defense then stopped the Pioneers on fourth down at the Hilltoppers' 20-yard line to help secure the 44-22 victory.
Defensively, Pate finished with three tackles and two sacks. West Liberty also recorded five quarterback hurries and five pass breakups while blocking a Glenville State field-goal attempt. The Pioneers gained 319 passing yards and recorded 24 first downs, but the Hilltoppers held firm in key situations. West Liberty was flagged 16 times for 152 yards.
The victory extended West Liberty's winning streak to seven games and kept the Hilltoppers unbeaten in conference play.
West Liberty returns to action next Saturday, Oct. 31, traveling to face Fairmont State in another MEC matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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 atÂ
westliberty.edu.  Â
