FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- Fairmont State rolled up 516 yards of total offense with a balanced offensive attack to spoil UVa-Wise's Homecoming festivities, 24-6, on Saturday afternoon at Carl Smith Stadium.
 
With the victory, Fairmont State improves to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in Mountain East Conference play. The Cavs slipped to 1-4 overall and 1-4 in league play. Fairmont State also improved to 5-1 against UVa-Wise in a series that will end this season, as the Cavaliers will be leaving the MEC for the Southern Athletic Conference following the 2018-19 athletic season.
 
After a scoreless first quarter, Tyree Randolph put the Falcons on the board at the 12:48 mark of the second quarter with a 15-yard touchdown run that capped a four-play, 82-yard drive.
 
The Falcons took a 10-0 lead to the locker room after Colin Harvath connected on a 24-yard field goal that capped a five-play, 54-yard drive in just 32 seconds. Takwan Crews-Naylor connected with Aaron Lewis on passes of 11 and 43 yards to set up the score.
 
Fairmont State outgained UVa-Wise 340-75 in the opening quarter of the game, with 52 of those yards coming on the Cavs opening drive of the game. The Falcons also dominated time of possession in the opening half, possessing the ball for 19 minutes in the half.
 
UVa-Wise had just three first downs in the first half.
 
Following halftime, Fairmont State drove right down the field on a five-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by a three-yard strike from Crews-Naylor to Alquawn Vickers to put the Falcons in front by a 17-0 score. Crews-Naylor also connected with Shawn Harris on a 46-yard pass to key the drive.
 
Fairmont State appeared to have taken a 24-0 lead on a 100-yard interception return by Stephen Turner late in the third quarter, but a block in the back penalty took the points off the board and gave the Falcons possession at the Fairmont State 13-yard line. Turner's interception halted an 11-play, 62-yard drive by UVa-Wise deep in Fairmont State territory.
 
However, the Fairmont State offense cashed in on Turner's interception with an 8-play, 87-yard drive that included four runs of 10-yards or more. The drive was capped by a two-yard pass from Crews-Naylor to Javon Hayes to make the score 24-0 late in the third.
 
UVa-Wise finally got on the board at the 9:06 mark of the fourth quarter when Tanner Bernard hooked up with Alonzo Brown for a 13-yard TD. The touchdown was the first for UVa-Wise against Fairmont State since 2015. The Fairmont State defense held the Cavs without a touchdown for 11-straight quarters from 2016 through 2018.
 
The Falcons dominated the game statistically with 516 yards of total offense, including 271 yards through the air and 245 yards on the ground. UVa-Wise totaled 339 yards of total offense, 264 of which came in the second half of play.
 
The Falcons had several playmakers on Saturday afternoon, led by Crews-Naylor completing 17-of-26 passes for 271 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Crews-Naylor connected with five different receivers in the game, led by Harris with three receptions for 110 yards – 60 of which came on a single reception. Vickers also hauled in six receptions for 45 yards and a score, and Hayes chipped in five catches for 42 yards and a TD.
 
The Falcons also did damage in the rushing game, rolling up 245 yards on 41 carries (6.0 yards per carry). Khalik Hamlin led the rushing attack with 16 carries for 109 yards, including a long rush of 50 yards. Rakeem Darden also chipped in nine carries for 59 yards, and Randolph totaled 57 yards on nine carries and scored a TD in the victory.
 
The Falcon defense got 10 tackles and a sack from Jerry Iweh and nine tackles and a sack from Antonio Harris in the victory. The Falcons also recorded three sacks and Stephen Turner picked off a pass for the unit.
 
Tanner Bernard completed 23-of-39 passes for 232 yards and a TD for UVa-Wise. Alonzo Brown was on the receiving end of a team-high four receptions for 54 yards and a TD. Kaian Duverger also hauled in three passes for 58 yards.
 
Jamorya Cousin, who entered the game averaging 120.2 yards per game on the ground, was limited to just 37 yards on 14 carries for UVa-Wise. Marcus Tarrer recorded a team-high eight tackles for the Cavaliers.
 
The Falcons will now prepare for a Thursday night showdown with Notre Dame College at Duvall-Rosier Field. The game is set for a 7:05 p.m. kickoff and is an NCAA Division II Showcase Game.