FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Fairmont State dropped its 2015 home opener against West Virginia State, 59-34, on Thursday night at Duvall-Rosier Field.
The Yellow Jackets racked up 509 yards of total offense, including 279 yards on the ground, in a victory where they put up the most points by an opposing team at Duvall-Rosier Field. In addition, the last time State had this type of scoring performance was back in 2008, when they scored 67 points against Lincoln, Missouri. After scoring just 106 points all of last season, West Virginia State put up 59 points in the season opener against the Falcons.
Penalties were the story of the first half for the Falcons, racking up 12 for 112 yards in the first 30 minutes of the game. FSU finished the game with 15 penalties for 157 yards and the Jackets were flagged for 16 accepted penalties for 138 yards.
The Falcon offense put up 396 yards in the loss and were led by quarterback
Cooper Hibbs with 278 yards on 17-of-30 passing and a pair of touchdowns.
Fabian Guerra went over 100 yards in the passing game, pulling in six catches for 123 yards and a score. Redshirt-freshman
James Oliver led FSU on the ground with 73 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Quarterback Matt Kinnick finished the game with 217 yards after completing 16-of-27 passes and throwing a touchdown. Three Yellow Jacket running backs had at least 80 yards on the ground in the win, led by Tyrone Barber with 103 yards on just 11 carries and three touchdowns. State rushed for five touchdowns on the evening. West Virginia State was led through the air by Akil Washington, hauling in four catches for 76 yards and a score.
Neither defense was able to force a turnover in the game, as FSU was led on that side of the ball by
Quincy Redmon with eight tackles (six solo). William Merritt and Mitchel Rowell both had eight stops apiece for State.
The Falcons will now prepare for a noon kickoff next Saturday in Athens against the defending MEC Champion, Concord Mountain Lions. The Falcons return home on Thursday, Sept. 17 against West Liberty at 7 p.m.
