WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — West Liberty University puts a three-game winning streak on the line Saturday afternoon when the Hilltoppers welcome Concord University to West Family Stadium for a Mountain East Conference matchup and Champions Day celebration.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., with West Liberty entering the contest at 3-1 overall and 1-0 in MEC play. Concord is 2-1 overall and 0-1 in conference action.

A victory would give the Hilltoppers their first 4-1 start since 2009, when West Liberty opened the season 4-1 and went on to win 11 of its first 12 games. That historic squad finished 11-2, won the WVIAC championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals before falling to California (Pa.).

West Liberty head coach Chad Salisbury, was the quarterbacks coach on the California staff during that 2009 season.

The matchup pits Concord's high-powered offense against a West Liberty defense that ranks among the MEC's best. The Mountain Lions lead the conference in scoring at 35.0 points per game and total offense at 417.7 yards per game. The Hilltoppers rank second in the MEC in both scoring defense and total defense, allowing 23.0 points and 319.0 yards per game.

Concord quarterback Devin Kargman has completed 47 of 88 passes for 735 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Wide receiver Cordale Russell leads the Mountain Lions with 10 receptions for 201 yards, while Dom Collins has 15 catches for 316 yards and three touchdowns. Running backs Darius Burrell and Jonathan Williams have combined for 367 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

West Liberty head coach Chad Salisbury knows the Hilltoppers will have their hands full with the Concord offense.

"They're super athletic offensively," Salisbury said. "They've got a lot of skill. They're leading the league in scoring. Their No. 5 receiver, Dom Collins, is special. He's talented."

Salisbury also pointed to Concord's defensive front as another major challenge.

"They're athletic. They've got an explosive D-line," Salisbury said. "They've got two defensive ends that are as good as we've seen in the pass rush and in the run game. They've got a talented secondary. It's a really, really tough challenge."

The Hilltoppers will counter with the nation's leading Division II rusher in Hunter Patterson. The senior tailback enters Saturday with 751 rushing yards on 98 carries, averaging 187.8 yards per game. Patterson has nine rushing touchdowns and 12 total touchdowns, while his 932 all-purpose yards lead the nation. He has accounted for 12 of West Liberty's 16 touchdowns through four games.

Patterson is coming off another standout performance in last Saturday's 30-24 overtime victory against nationally ranked Frostburg State. He rushed for 199 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries while finishing with 220 all-purpose yards.

Quarterback Kohl Meisman has completed 55 of 95 passes for 578 yards and six touchdowns through four games. He has also contributed 44 rushing yards and a touchdown. Meisman passed for two touchdowns in the Hilltoppers' overtime victory against Frostburg State.

Patterson has also been a productive target in the passing game with 16 receptions for 181 yards and three touchdowns. Jaylin Harcum has 13 catches for 113 yards and a touchdown, while Dominic Diaz-Ellis has four receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown. Levi Gullion and Trey Singleton have each recorded eight receptions for 83 yards.

Defensively, West Liberty has recorded 30 tackles for loss and eight sacks through its first four games. Seamus Mahon leads the Hilltoppers with 28 tackles and has an interception and three pass breakups. Sam Hobbs has 26 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, while Grant Neiswonger has 18 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Luca Neal has added 24 tackles, two tackles for loss, an interception and two pass breakups.

The Hilltopper defense has also forced eight turnovers, including three interceptions and five fumble recoveries through four games.

Salisbury said the defense has continued to grow throughout the first four games of the season.

"The defense has really grown and matured," Salisbury said. "They've dug in and they've shown some grit."

That grit was on display last Saturday against Frostburg State. After trailing early, the Hilltoppers battled back to force overtime, where Mahon came up with an interception before Patterson scored the game-winning touchdown.

Saturday's game will also celebrate the history of West Liberty football.

Former players, coaches and staff members from the Hilltoppers' championship teams are being welcomed back to campus for Champions Day. Members of those teams will receive free admission, reserved seating and pregame on-field access before West Liberty's former championship teams are recognized during halftime.

The Hilltoppers' championship seasons came in 1927, 1929, 1930, 1936, 1939, 1940, 1946, 1950, 1956, 1963, 1970, 1971, 1979, 2000 and 2009.

The celebration provides an opportunity for current Hilltoppers to connect with generations of players who helped establish the program's tradition.

"Championships are built on standards, sacrifice and commitment," Salisbury said. "The alumni who will be back on Saturday laid that foundation for us. Our players have an opportunity to meet them, hear their stories and understand what it means to be a Hilltopper."

Saturday will be the 84th meeting between West Liberty and Concord. The Hilltoppers hold a 41-39-3 advantage in the all-time series. Concord won last year's meeting 44-21, while West Liberty claimed the previous two matchups, winning 31-10 in 2024 and 23-21 in 2023.

With a conference win already under its belt and a three-game winning streak intact, West Liberty will look to continue that momentum while celebrating the championship tradition that helped build the program.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at West Family Stadium.

 
 
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.