DUNBAR, W.Va. — West Liberty keeps finding ways to finish.
The Hilltoppers rallied from a pair of multi-score deficits Saturday, forcing overtime before
Hunter Patterson's 18-yard touchdown run on third-and-3 capped a 41-38 victory over West Virginia State at Lakin-Ray Field at Dickerson Stadium.
"I just continue to marvel at the way the kids fight back," West Liberty head coach
Chad Salisbury said. "I wish we would play better early, but I'm just so proud of the grit this team shows."
The win was West Liberty's second overtime victory of the season and extended its winning streak to five games. The Hilltoppers improved to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in Mountain East Conference play, marking the program's first 5-1 start since 2009. West Virginia State fell to 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the MEC.
West Liberty has now won all three of its conference games on the final possession.
Saturday's comeback followed a familiar script. The Hilltoppers repeatedly answered when the Yellow Jackets appeared to have control, eventually erasing a 35-21 fourth-quarter deficit.
West Liberty tied the game at 35-35 with 3:44 remaining after a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. The possession included a fourth-down completion to
Anthony May and a 39-yard connection with
Anthony Campbell before the Hilltoppers finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by
Kohl Meisman.
The defense then gave West Liberty an opportunity to win in regulation when
Gene Hall intercepted West Virginia State on the final play of the fourth quarter, sending the game to overtime.
West Virginia State opened overtime with a 29-yard field goal to take a 38-35 lead, but West Liberty answered immediately. Meisman connected with
Levi Gullion and Patterson before Patterson broke through for the game-winning 18-yard touchdown run on the Hilltoppers' third play of the possession.
Meisman turned in another big passing performance, completing 18 of 22 passes for 337 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also rushed for a touchdown.
Patterson rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries while adding six receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown.
Trey Singleton caught two passes for 124 yards and returned three punts for 25 yards.
West Liberty finished with 337 passing yards and went 5-for-6 in the red zone, while converting its only fourth-down attempt. The Hilltoppers' defense recorded six sacks, 11 tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery.
West Virginia State finished with 470 total yards, including 305 on the ground, but the Hilltoppers repeatedly came up with critical defensive plays when they needed them most.
Samuel Hobbs recorded nine tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.
West Virginia State jumped in front 14-0 in the opening quarter before West Liberty began its comeback. The Hilltoppers drove 74 yards on their final possession of the quarter, with Meisman completing passes of 18 yards to Patterson and 43 yards to
Singleton, but Patterson's fumble near the goal line was recovered by the Yellow Jackets.
West Liberty's defense responded in the second quarter, recording four sacks and holding West Virginia State scoreless.
Aidan Grella converted a 47-yard field goal earlier in the quarter, while a late fumble recovery by Hobbs set up another scoring opportunity.
Meisman's 81-yard completion to Singleton helped set up Patterson's 4-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion rush, pulling West Liberty within 14-11. Grella then added a 30-yard field goal following Hobbs' fumble recovery to tie the game at 14-14 at halftime.
West Virginia State regained control in the third quarter, scoring twice to build a 28-14 advantage before Meisman connected with
Dominic Diaz-Ellis for a 49-yard touchdown with 2:47 remaining in the period. Grella's extra point cut the deficit to 28-21.
The Yellow Jackets pushed their advantage back to 35-21 in the fourth quarter, but the Hilltoppers once again answered.
Meisman connected with Patterson for a 52-yard touchdown before West Liberty's 10-play, 80-yard tying drive brought the Hilltoppers even with 3:44 to play.
From there, West Liberty's defense forced the game into overtime, and Patterson finished the job on the ground.
The Hilltoppers now get a much-needed bye week before returning to action Oct. 17 against West Virginia Wesleyan at West Family Stadium for West Liberty's Homecoming game.
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.
