FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- West Virginia State's Zach Pate hauled in a 13-yard TD pass with 15 seconds remaining to lift the Yellow Jackets to a 42-38 victory over Fairmont State on Saturday afternoon at Duvall-Rosier Field. Pate's score capped a 28-point fourth quarter that included four lead changes.
 
With the victory, West Virginia State improves to 5-1 overall and 5-0 in league play. Fairmont State falls to 1-5 both overall and in the MEC.
 
Fairmont State took the lead, 31-28, at the 4:12 mark of the fourth quarter when Takwan Crews-Naylor hooked up with Javon Hayes on an 11-yard touchdown strike. Just over two minutes later, the Yellow Jackets regained the lead when A.J. Barrette capped an 8-play, 74-yard drive with a 25-yard TD pass from Austin Hensley.
 
With WVSU clinging to a four-point advantage, Tyree Randolph took the ensuing kickoff 97-yards for a touchdown as the Falcons would jump in front, 38-35, with 1:33 remaining.
 
However, the Yellow Jackets went 87 yards in eight plays and Hensley found Pate for the game-winning score with just 15 seconds remaining.
 
Fairmont State held first half leads of 17-0 and 24-7 before taking a 10-point advantage to the locker room at the half. West Virginia State scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to erase Fairmont's halftime lead. The 'Jackets led 28-24 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
 
Fairmont State had another brilliant offensive performance overshadowed by a close loss late. The Falcons rolled up 469 yards of total offense, including 280 yards on the ground in the setback. The Yellow Jackets finished the game with 474 yards of total offense, including 414 coming through the air.
 
Randolph led the Fairmont State rushing attack with 124 yards on 24 carries in the victory. Randolph totaled 360 all-purpose yards and two scores in the setback, including 124 on the ground, 52 through the air and 184 on kickoff returns. Khalik Hamlin also went over 100 yards rushing with 106 yards on 15 carries to go with Fairmont's only rushing TD.
 
Hayes led the Falcons in the passing game with seven receptions for 122 yards and two scores.
 
Crews-Naylor completed 12-of-18 pass attempts for 189 yards and a trio of TDs.
 
Danny Anige led the Fairmont State defense with eight total stops, while Keyshawn Hailey and Trevon Shorts each chipped in seven tackles. Desoto McKenzie also picked off a pass on the defensive side of the ball.
 
Austin Hensley had a big day to lead WV State, completing 28-of-38 pass attempts for 414 yards and six touchdowns on the afternoon. Barrette was on the receiving end of nine receptions for 161 yards and two scores. Tyrone Lyte also went over 100 yards receiving in the win, hauling in five passes for 112 yards and a score. Five different receivers caught TD passes for the 'Jackets.
 
Dylan Lucas paced the Yellow Jacket ground attack with 63 yards on 15 carries.
 
Dustin Crouser had a big day for the Yellow Jackets on defense, piling up 13 tackles and a fumble recovery.
 
Fairmont State will return to the road next Saturday at Concord. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Athens.