WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — Hunter Patterson made more history Saturday afternoon, breaking West Liberty University's career rushing record, but the Hilltoppers came up just short in a 41-35 double-overtime loss to Charleston at West Family Stadium on Senior Day.
West Liberty (7-3) rallied to force overtime with a touchdown in the final minute of regulation, tying the game at 28-28 with 47 seconds remaining. The Hilltoppers then took a 35-28 lead in the first overtime before Charleston answered to force a second extra period and eventually secured the 41-35 victory.
Patterson finished with 209 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries, surpassing Derrick Stickles' previous career rushing record of 3,690 yards, set from 2002-05. Patterson now owns the West Liberty career rushing record with 3,878 yards.
He also added a 33-yard reception in the contest.
The Hilltoppers finished with 490 yards of total offense, including 284 passing yards and 206 rushing yards. Quarterback
Kohl Meisman completed 18 of 35 passes for 284 yards and a touchdown without an interception while adding a rushing score.
Levi Gullion led the receiving corps with five catches for 104 yards and a touchdown.
West Liberty answered Charleston's opening punch after the Golden Eagles returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown. The Hilltoppers responded with a 70-yard scoring drive, capped by Patterson's 9-yard touchdown run. Meisman connected with
Jaylin Harcum for 26 yards and
Dominic Diaz-Ellis for 15 yards on third down to help move the offense before Patterson crossed the goal line.
Aidan Grella's extra point tied the game at 7-7.
Charleston moved back in front, 14-7, before Patterson delivered one of the biggest plays of the afternoon. The senior broke loose for a 74-yard touchdown run, capping a three-play, 81-yard drive that took just 56 seconds. Grella's extra point evened the score at 14-14.
The Golden Eagles answered with a 22-yard touchdown pass with 44 seconds remaining in the first half to take a 21-14 advantage into the break.
West Liberty responded in the third quarter after Charleston missed a 48-yard field-goal attempt. The Hilltoppers needed just two plays and 27 seconds to cover 70 yards, with Patterson breaking a 67-yard run before
Anthony May finished the drive with a 3-yard touchdown. Grella's extra point tied the game at 21-21 with 2:27 remaining in the quarter.
The Hilltopper defense then delivered a strong third-quarter performance, holding Charleston scoreless and limiting the Golden Eagles to one first down and 0-for-4 on third-down conversions.
Charleston regained the lead late in the fourth quarter, but West Liberty answered with a dramatic scoring drive to force overtime. Meisman connected with Gullion for a 45-yard completion to move the Hilltoppers downfield before West Liberty
converted a fourth-down opportunity at the Charleston 25-yard line. Facing fourth-and-10, Meisman found Gullion for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Grella's extra point tied the game at 28-28 with 47 seconds remaining.
After the Hilltoppers forced a punt and used their final possession of regulation, the game headed to overtime.
West Liberty struck first in the extra period. Meisman connected with Makhi Smith for a 16-yard gain before scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run. Grella added the extra point to give the Hilltoppers a 35-28 lead.
Charleston answered with a touchdown to tie the game at 35-35 and send the contest into a second overtime. The Golden Eagles then moved ahead 41-35 on a 15-yard touchdown pass after an Alexander Pate tackle for loss pushed the drive backward.
West Liberty had one final opportunity to extend the game, moving to the Charleston 10-yard line following a pass interference penalty. However, the Hilltoppers were unable to convert on downs as the Golden Eagles held on for the double-overtime victory.
Patterson led the Hilltoppers with 209 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Meisman accounted for two scores, one through the air and one on the ground. Gullion finished with 104 receiving yards and a touchdown. Defensively,
Seamus Mahon paced West Liberty with 10 tackles.
West Liberty held a 34:12 advantage in time of possession and converted 7-of-17 third-down opportunities. Charleston finished with 326 yards of total offense, including 168 passing yards and 158 rushing yards, and converted 4-of-15 third downs.
The Hilltoppers will close out the regular season next Saturday, Nov. 14, when they travel to face Wheeling.
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.
