FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- The Fairmont State University football team faced West Liberty University on Senior Day at Duvall-Rosier Field. After trailing by 15 going to the fourth quarter, the Falcons scored 16-unanswered points to secure the 36-35 win.

In the first quarter, neither team was able to get anything going on offense as the teams punted the ball. Fairmont State's second drive started with a LeJay Hatcher run for four yards. Following an incompletion and a penalty, the Falcons faced 3rd-and-11 at their own 14. Nino Marzullo dropped back and completed a pass to Jermaine Bradford that picked up 53 yards to the West Liberty 33. After a couple of short runs and sack, FSU went for it on 4th-and-11 but Marzullo's to Gage Michael was broken up to give the ball to West Liberty.

The Hilltoppers quickly went to work with a 12-yard pass and then a 23-yard run to the Fairmont State 31. On first down, the visitors stuck with the ground game and raced in for the first touchdown of the game to lead 7-0 with 8:00 left in the quarter.

A short kick set up Fairmont State at their own 47 as Leonard Farrow gained 19 yards on the ground. Marzullo then completed a short pass to Carter Giacomo followed by another rush by Farrow. An incomplete pass on third down brought out the field goal unit to attempt a 49-yard field goal. The line drive kick was blocked by West Liberty as recovered the loose ball at its 36.

The Falcons' defense made a stand and put the offense back on the field just four plays later. Farrow quickly picked up a first down before a face mask moved the ball another 15 yards in favor of the home side. On the next play, Marzullo connected with Michael for a 36-yard gain before the ball was stripped from the wide receiver. Fortunately, Giacomo was right there to fall on the ball at the West Liberty 21. Minimal gains on the next three plays brought up another fourth down as the kicking unit trotted onto the field. Attempting a 37-yard field goal, Emmanuel Richardson was able to put the Falcons on the board with 2:37 to go (7-3).

With play carrying into the second quarter, the two teams exchanged possessions as West Liberty took over with 10:56 on the clock. Just like the last scoring drive for the Hilltoppers, they completed a pass before three-straight runs, which combined for 38 yards and another touchdown. At the 9:03 mark, the visitors led by 11 points (14-3).

Fairmont State's offense continued to struggle to find a rhythm as it had the punt the ball once more. On the punt, the West Liberty returner fumbled the ball at the five as long snapper, Jack Stanislawczyk raced down the field and recovered the fumble at the four. Farrow was handed the ball on first down and pushed his way into the endzone to make it a 14-10 game.

The Hilltoppers put together one of the longest drives of afternoon with their next possession. Stretching nearly six minutes, the guests went 72 yards on 10 plays with a 30-yard run capping off the drive for the touchdown. Another short kickoff gave the Falcons the ball at their 46. A seven-yard gain through the air on first down set the stage for Marzullo and Bradford. The two connected on a 47-yard with Bradford picking up 40 of the yards after the catch for the score. The score, now 20-17, remained that way going into halftime.

Just like the start of the first quarter, the third began with both teams having to punt the ball. At 8:32 on the clock, Fairmont State started at its own 22-yard line. Farrow gained 13 yards on first down but on the ensuing play, Marzullo's pass was batted into the air at the line of scrimmage. West Liberty was able to intercept the ball and return it 35 yards for the touchdown. 

Down by 11 (28-17), the Falcons were looking for a spark and got it from the legs of Farrow as he picked up 43 yards to move the ball to the West Liberty 29. Unfortunately, the offense stalled once again with the kicking unit attempting another field goal. This time from 42 yards out, Richardson was pure again and narrowed the margin to eight (28-20) with 6:07 left in the third.

Fairmont State's defense delivered another three-and-out but on the punt, Bradford dropped the ball as West Liberty was able to recover the fumble. Four plays later, the Hilltoppers were in the endzone once more to lead 35-20 with just over two minutes to go in the quarter.

The Falcons next drive carried over into the fourth quarter and on the first play in the final 15 minutes of regulation, Marzullo found Bradford for another touchdown, this time for 33 yards. FSU attempted a two-point conversion, but Marzullo's pass to Giacomo was incomplete with the team only trailing by nine (35-26).

After another three-and-out by the visitors, Fairmont State was gifted with another short punt and started the next drive at the West Liberty 45. Unable to gain any yards on the first two plays, along with an offensive holding penalty, Marzullo was able to complete another pass to Bradford for a 16-yard gain. On third down, the freshman quarterback hit Michael over the middle. The wide receiver was able to spin away from a tackler and moved the ball down to the Hilltopper five-yard line. Two incomplete passes and sack forced Richardson back into action for a 25-yard kick. The field goal attempt split the uprights as the scoreboard now read 35-29 with 11:39 left in regulation.

With all momentum on its side, the FSU defense went to work and forced another punt with only 1:09 expiring off the clock. Farrow was called upon once more and rushed for gains of eight and 29 yards to move into West Liberty territory. A four-yard loss on first down followed by an incompletion, the Falcons faced 3rd-and-14. Marzullo once again found Bradford, this time for a 16-yard gain to move the chains. A defensive pass interference kept the drive moving for Fairmont State as the team looked to take the lead. On 3rd-and-1 from the West Liberty 16, Toy Trice was handed the ball as he burst through the line. Racing to the goal line, the ball was knocked free but once again, Giacomo was right there and fell on the ball in the endzone for the touchdown. The point after was good as FSU led for the first time in the game, 36-35 with 6:16 to go.

Both teams had to punt the ball on their next drives as West Liberty took over from its own 19 with 2:33 left in the fourth. On the first play from scrimmage, the Hilltoppers completed a pass that picked 45 yards but before the tackle, Jehvonn Lewis forced a fumble at the 40-yard line. As the ball bounced on the turf, Howard Williams was able to jump on the ball and give the ball back to the Falcons. 

With 2:18 remaining, Fairmont State attempted to run out the clock and nearly did so. On third down, the home side was unable pick up a first down and were forced to punt the ball. After a touchback, West Liberty only had 16 seconds left to go 80 yards. The Falcon secondary was able to force three-straight incompletions with Jehvonn Lewis and Gavin Smith breaking up two passes to secure the comeback.

Bradford finished the day with eight receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, Farrow rushed for 178 yards on 27 attempts with a score. Defensively, Eltayeb Bushra led the way with 14 tackles as Lewis added seven tackles long with a forced fumble and a pass break up.

Fairmont State (6-4, 5-3) heads to Frostburg State University on Saturday, November 16 for the final game of the season. The Falcons and the Bobcats will kickoff at 1:00 p.m.