INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- Fairmont State scored 20 third-quarter points and forced five second-half turnovers to rally past West Virginia State, 30-20, on Saturday afternoon at Lakin Field at Dickerson Stadium.
 
Following 13 unanswered points by WV State to open the game, freshman wide receiver Andre Hall broke away from a Yellow Jacket defender and took off for a 42-yard touchdown with just 19 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.
 
With the score still 13-7 in favor of the Yellow Jackets with just over six minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Falcons went for a 4^th-and-6 attempt from the WVSU 40 yard line and were held a yard short on a complete pass from Hibbs to Hall. On the next offensive snap, State signal caller Matt Kinnick hooked up for a 65-yard touchdown strike to Akil Washington, pushing the Yellow Jackets lead to 20-7.
 
Fairmont State kicker Sam Keil wrapped up the scoring in the opening half by connecting on a 25-yard attempt with under a minute remaining before halftime.
 
It took very little time for the Falcons to cut into the halftime deficit when Rakeem Darden capped a five-play, 38-yard drive in just 1:14. The drive was aided by a 60-yard kick return by Laurence King and a 40-yard pass over the middle to Hall.
 
Following a three-and-out by WV State, Terrell Charles gave FSU its first lead of the day by capping a nine-play, 71-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run. The drive was keyed by three catches for 46 yards from King, another freshman FSU receiver that turned in a great performance in his Falcon debut this afternoon.
 
Later in the third quarter on a punt by Sam Tucker, the WV State returner muffed the punt at the State 36 and Quincy Redmon recovered to set up the FSU offense in Yellow Jacket territory. On the first offensive snap of the drive, Charles crossed the goal line for the second time from 30-yards out to open up a 10 point FSU lead (30-20) with 5:04 remaining in the third.
 
Although the fourth quarter was scoreless for both teams, the FSU defense did its job to help close out the victory by forcing turnovers on each of the first three State possessions. The turnovers included a second fumble recovery by Redmon, an interception by Antonio Harris and a fumble recovery by Emanuel Ivey.
 
FSU forced its fourth turnover of the fourth quarter with just over a minute remaining when Calvin Pringles picked-off Kinnick.
 
Senior quarterback Cooper Hibbs completed 26-of-40 pass attempts for 328 yards and a touchdown in the victory. Hibbs also threw a first half interception.
 
Hall opened his FSU career with 11 catches for 178 yards and the opening score of the day for the Falcons. King pulled in eight receptions for 98 yards on the afternoon. Senior Fabian Guerra also chipped in three receptions for 33 yards in the victory.
 
After managing just nine carries for 23 yards in the opening half, Charles led the FSU rushing attack with 114 yards on 25 carries, crossing the goal line twice.
 
In addition to forcing five turnovers on the afternoon, the FSU defense was led by Stephen Turner and Jerry Iweh with eight tackles apiece. Redmon was a force on the FSU defensive line with five tackles, two fumble recoveries, a sack and a pass break-up. Marco Jones also had a big day at the opposite defensive end spot, finishing with six tackles, a sack, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. Josh Ballard recorded the third sack of the day for the FSU defense.
 
Kinnick connected on 22-of-38 pass attempts for 345 yards and two touchdowns. Kinnick also threw a pair of interceptions. Quinton Gray was on the receiving end of nine passes for 87 yards and Washington add five receptions for 142 yards, aided by a 65-yard touchdown reception.
 
Jay Terry and Mitchell Rowell each recorded 10 tackles to lead the State defense on the afternoon. Ayinde Warren forced the only Yellow Jacket turnover by intercepting Hibbs in the opening half.
 
Both teams recorded over 400 yards of total offense with State holding a 441-432 advantage. The teams also combined for 27 penalties for 240 yards.
 
The Falcons will open the home portion of its schedule next Saturday with a 1 p.m. kickoff against the Mountain Lions of Concord.