WHEELING, W.Va. – The Fairmont State football team (3-8 3-7 MEC) fell in the final game of the season to Wheeling (7-4, 6-4 MEC) on Saturday (Nov. 12) afternoon at Bishop Schmitt Field in Wheeling, W.Va.
 
Fairmont State Leaders
Myles Miree finished his impressive sophomore season rushing for 160 yards on the ground. Miree totaled 1,191 rushing yards and six scores this season. Dereik Crosby II ripped off two touchdown rushes, including a 52-yard score. Connor Neal completed 10 passes for 136 yards. Neal hooked up with Kobe Harris for a passing touchdown. Harris hauled in three receptions for 45 yards.
 
Brocton Blair racked up a game-high 14 tackles, including a tackle for a loss. Eltayeb Bushra was also in double figures with 13 stops. Jovon Jackson picked off a pass and made nine tackles. Javin Jones wrestled down the quarterback for the game's only sack.
 
Wheeling Leaders
Javon Davis passed for 213 yards and three touchdowns. Three rushers (Sy Alli, Eli Young and Davis) netted more than 50 rushing yards. Lowell Patron caught nine passes for 94 yards and a pair of scores.
 
The Wheeling defense was led by Jayvon Johnson, who made 12 total tackles and a tackle for a loss. Johnson blocked a field goal that would have given the Falcons the lead late in the fourth quarter. Fabian McNichols broke up three passes.
 
Inside the Game
Sergei Buchheit put the Falcons ahead with a 22-yard field goal halfway through the first quarter. Wheeling responded with a 72-yard scoring drive that ended with a five-yard receiving touchdown by Patron to give the Cardinals a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
The Falcons converted a 3^rd and 11 from the FSU 36-yard line to keep the ensuing drive alive. On the next play, Crosby broke through the Wheeling defense for a 52-yard rushing touchdown that put Fairmont State back on top. Jackson intercepted Davis on 3^rd and 7 that gave Fairmont State possession on Wheeling's 22-yard line. Neal converted a 3^rddown pass when he connected with Harris for a 16-yard completion to give the Falcons six points. FSU missed the extra point and led by two scores with eight minutes remaining in the half. Wheeling responded after Davis found Chris Canaday for an eight-yard touchdown pass to trim the Falcons' lead to two points. Buchheit drilled a 31-yard attempt as the clock expired that gave Fairmont State a five-point lead heading into the locker room.
 
Wheeling received the second half kickoff and faced a 4^th and 2 on its own 49-yard line. Alli picked up 12 yards for the first down and kept the drive going for Wheeling. The Cardinals finished the drive with a touchdown when Davis plunged for a six-yard rush to give Wheeling a two-point lead. The Cardinals held a slim lead heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Buccheit pinned the Cardinals on their one-yard line after a 39-yard punt in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. The Falcons forced a safety that tied the score at 21. The Fairmont State offense took over on its own 30-yard line and pounded six straight rushes. FSU went 70 yards on the ground and jumped out in front. Crosby finished the drive with a 15-yard rush, and the Falcons led 28-21 with 8:52 remaining in the quarter. Wheeling responded and Davis aired a 24-yard touchdown strike to Patron to tie the game. Fairmont State continued its rushing attack on the Wheeling defense and rushed for 43 yards on the ensuing drive. The Falcons missed a field goal with 1:52 left in the fourth quarter. The Fairmont State defense forced a three-and-out and the Falcons had another chance to break the tie. Neal led the offense down the field and completed a 14-yard pass to Harris that set up a 37-yard field goal attempt with three seconds remaining. Fairmont State failed to convert the field goal and the game went into overtime.
 
The Falcons went first in the overtime period and gained three yards. Fairmont State attempted a 39-yard field goal that was no good. Wheeling converted a pair of third downs on its overtime possession. Matt Greenwood converted a 22-yard field goal that gave the Cardinals the victory.