The Matchup
- Fairmont State and West Liberty will meet for the 84th time on Thursday evening in the week three edition of the 2016 Mountain East Conference Thursday Night Game of the Week. The Falcons hold a 40-38-5 all-time record over WLU.
- After dropping his first two meetings with West Liberty in 2013 and 2014, head coach Jason Woodman and the Falcons picked up a 36-30 victory over the 'Toppers in 2015.
- Thursday's game will be broadcasted live on the new radio home of Fairmont State football, SKY 106.5 FM and statewide on the WV MetroNews radio network.  Join the voice of the Fighting Falcons Travis Jones and Rasheed Marshall as they bring you all the action live from West Liberty.
- Live statistics and a live video stream will also be available by visiting fightingfalcons.com or hilltoppersports.com.
- The Falcons are 2-0 to begin a season for the first time since 2011. Fairmont State will be looking to start a season with a 3-0 record for the first time since 1981 when coach Dave Ritchie led FSU to the WVIAC Football Championship.
- A season ago, Cooper Hibbs led a 10-play, 83-yard drive that was capped by an Austin White touchdown with 36 seconds remaining to lead FSU past WLU. The FSU defense forced seven turnovers in last season's victory over the Hilltoppers.
- The Falcons have won eight of their last ten games dating back to last season.
- FSU has also held its opponents scoreless in each of the last six quarters of play.
 
Scouting the Offense
- Fairmont State senior wide receiver Fabian Guerra was named MEC Offensive Player of the Week following his three-touchdown performance against Concord in week two. Guerra finished the day with 11 receptions for 175 yards.
- Guerra is currently tied for third in school history in career catches (171) with Mike Joseph, ranks fourth in FSU history in receiving yards (2,164 ) and is eighth in career touchdown receptions (16).
- Guerra needs just 22 receptions to move past Todd Anderson for second in school history. The senior is also just 157 yards from moving in third in school history in receiving yards, passing Jason Trent.
- Guerra's multiple touchdown performance against Concord was the first of his career.
- Fairmont State has three receivers with at least 13 receptions and 178 yards through the first two weeks of the 2016 season. Laurence King has a team-high 16 receptions for 178 yards, Guerra has 14 receptions for a team-best 208 yards and Andre Hall has hauled in 13 receptions for 199 yards.
- Fairmont State has also had success running the football this season as starting running back Terrell Charles has recorded back-to-back 100-yard performances and has 218 yards on 41 carries this season.
- Charles is the first FSU running back to post back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances since Daniel Monroe did it in 2012. The last FSU back to run for 100 or more yards in three consecutive games was also Monroe, who did it in four straight games during the 2011 season.
Two weeks into the 2016 season, Charles ranks second in the MEC in rushing with an average of 109 yards per contest. He only trails West Virginia Wesleyan's Michael Anderson, who is averaging 120.5 yards per game.
- King (3rd), Guerra (4th) and Hall (7th) are each ranked in the top 10 in the MEC in receptions per game. The trio is also ranked in the top 10 in the league in receciving yards per game.
- Quarterback Cooper Hibbs is off to a solid start to the 2016 season, completing nearly 72 percent of his passes (51-of-71) with 625 yards and four touchdown passes.
- Hibbs currently leads the MEC is passsing yards per game, averaging 312.5 yards per game. Hibbs is also second in the league in passing efficiency (161.5).
 
Scouting the Defense
- The FSU defense has not allowed points in its last six quarters of action this season, dating back to the first half in week one against WV State. The Falcons allowed 20 points and over 300 yards of offense to WV State in the first half of the teams week one matchup before shutting out the Yellow Jackets in the second half of the game.
- Fairmont State's shutout victory in week two against Concord is the first for the Falcon defense since a 6-0 win last fall on Oct. 3 over Urbana and only the second for the team since 2010. It also marks the first time since Nov. 1, 2008 that Concord University has been shutout.
- Furthermore, Concord's offensive yardage total of 232 yards was the lowest since Oct. 26, 2013 against the University of Charleston.
- The FSU defense, which ranks first in the league in scoring defense (10.0), rushing defense (80.0), pass efficiency defense (102.0) and turnover margin (2.5), is getting contributions from nearly everyone in the lineup with five players already reaching double-figures in total tackles. Stephen Turner and Emanuel Ivey lead the Falcons with 13 tackles apiece this season.
- The FSU defense also has four interceptions, six sacks, 15 pass break-ups and three fumble recoveries this season.
- Defensive end Quincy Redmon has been a force on the defensive line this season with eight tackles, three sacks, two pass break-ups, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble through the first two weeks of the season.
- Freshman Trevon Shorts scored the first defensive touchdown of the season for the Falcons in week two aaginst Concord, intercepting a pass and returning it 68 yards in the 28-0 FSU victory.
 
Scouting West Liberty
• West Liberty comes into Thursday night's MEC Game of the Week with an overall record of 0-2 and an 0-1 mark in conference play.
• WLU fell in double-overtime last weekend in non-conference action against McKendree (IL), 16-15.
• Both Hilltopper losses this season are by a combined eight points.
• The West Liberty offense is powered by duel-threat quarterback Dakota Conwell with 406 yards and three touchdowns.
• Conwell also leads the team in rushing with 156 yards and two scores.
• Anton McCallum leads all Hilltopper receivers with 190 yards and two touchdowns.
• Garrett Vulcano anchors the defense with 23 total tackles.