WISE, Va. -- Twenty-third ranked Fairmont State made a statement on Saturday afternoon by picking up a 58-3 victory over the University of Virginia's College at Wise at Carl Smith Stadium.
 
The Falcons opened up a 23-0 advantage with 6:04 remaining in the opening quarter and never looked back in the win. In the opening half, the Falcons forced four turnovers and started eight possessions inside UVa-Wise territory.
 
Starting middle linebacker Marcus Porter got the scoring started on the second play of the first Cavalier possession when he stuffed the WISE running back in the end zone to score two points for the Falcons.
 
Laurence King added six more on the free kick when he fielded and returned the kick 82 yards for the FSU touchdown. The kick return for a touchdown was the first for Fairmont State since Matt Wilmer back on Nov. 3, 2012 against WV State.
 
Following a nine-yard punt by UVa-Wise on its next possession, Cooper Hibbs ran an option-keeper around the left side of the offensive line that ended in the end zone from 43 yards away, making the score 16-0.
 
The next UVa-Wise possession ended when Brycen Lee was picked-off by Demonne Cox at the WISE 43-yard line, once again giving the Falcons a drive start on the Cavs end of the field. Four plays later, Terrell Charles broke through the UVa-Wise defense and capped the drive with a 27-yard touchdown run.
 
Late in the second quarter, FSU added to its 23-0 advantage when Hibbs found Andre Hall streaking down the home sideline for a 31-yard touchdown reception.
 
On the next Cavalier possession, Lee was picked-off by true-freshman defensive back Michael Porter and returned the interception into UVa-Wise territory at the 27-yard line. Three plays later, Hibbs found Shane Faett for his first career reception and touchdown, sending the game to the locker room with FSU holding a commanding 37-0 lead.
 
To open the second half of action, the Cavs attempted an on-side kick that was recovered by the Falcons, giving FSU excellent field position once again, from the WISE 48. Five plays later, Hibbs recorded his fourth touchdown of the game by finding King for the 21-yard score.
 
UVa-Wise put up its only points of the game on its first possession of the third quarter when Trent Martin converted on a 29-yard field goal.
 
On the next FSU possession, the Falcons started subbing some younger players into the lineup while holding a 44-3 advantage.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Falcons put up 14 more points, starting with a two-yard run by Takwan Crews-Naylor with 14:36 remaining. Daniel Rodriguez wrapped up the scoring late in the fourth on an eight-yard touchdown run, becoming the fourth FSU running back to cross the goal line this season.
 
With the 58-3 victory, the Falcons recorded their highest scoring total in 20 years (1996 vs. WVU Tech, 67-0).
 
The Falcon defense, who came into the game with a plus-10 turnover margin, forced five UVa-Wise turnovers and limited the Cavs to just 217 yards of total offense on the afternoon. UVa-Wise came into the game averaging 369 yards per game of total offense. The Falcons also held its third team this season without a touchdown in the blowout win.
 
Cox led the FSU defense with seven total stops, a sack, two fumble recoveries and an interception in the win. Abu Kai Kai also had a big day for the FSU defensive unit with three total tackles, 1.5 sacks and a 26-yard fumble recovery.
 
The FSU offense finished the afternoon with 423 yards of total offense. Hibbs led the Falcons by completing 14-of-20 pass attempts for 157 yards and three touchdown passes in the victory. Hibbs also finished the game with 30 yards and a score on the ground.
 
In addition to returning a kickoff for a touchdown, King led all FSU receivers with six catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. Dana Jackson also added 54 yards on two receptions late in the game for the FSU offense.
 
Fabian Guerra, who became the all-time leader in receptions at Fairmont State a week ago, moved into second all-time in career receiving yards this week by hauling in three catches for 33 yards.
 
The FSU rushing attack was by committee, led by Rakeem Darden with 60 yards on 11 carries. Rodrigues also chipped in 45 yards and Charles added 41 on the ground for the Falcons. Four different players recorded a rushing touchdown for the Falcons.
 
Lee had a rough afternoon completing just 9-of-17 passes for 103 yards. Lee threw two interceptions and was sacked four times in the game. James Cousins hauled in two receptions for 52 yards and Kier Townsend chipped in three for 49 yards to lead UVa-Wise through the air.
 
The Cavaliers, who managed just one rushing yard on 21 carries in the opening half, finished the day with 76 yards on 33 carries as a team. Victor Mitchell led the Cavs with 10 carries for 53 yards.
 
Despite being limited on the afternoon, Zachary Blair led the WISE defense with 10 total tackles and a sack, recording 3.5 tackles for loss.
 
Fairmont State will now prepare for a short week as the Falcons of Notre Dame College will visit Duvall-Rosier Field on Thursday evening in the MEC Thursday Night "Game of the Week." The game will be streamed live on the MetroNews Channel and will be broadcasted on the statewide MetroNews radio network. Kickoff for Thursday's game is set for 7:10 p.m.