Glenville, W.Va. – On a cold and rainy afternoon the Glenville State Pioneer football team had great play on both sides of the ball. They defended their home field and held off a late comeback attempt from the Blue Knights as they earned a 28-21 win over the Urbana University.

Glenville State (4-5, 4-4) racked up 414 total yards of offense while the defense forced three turnovers in the victory. Urbana (4-5, 3-5) tallied 294 total yards of offense on 67 plays.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Pioneers struck first in the second. Javon Butler hauled in a 16-yard touchdown pass, his sixth of the season and 15th of his career, from Jaylen McNair to put GSC up, 7-0 at the 6:41 mark.

The Pioneer defense then came away with their first turnover of the ball game on the next possessio. Quintavius Twine intercepted UU's Cee Jay Hale at the Urbana 42-yard line. Still, the Pioneers were unable to convert the turnover into points.

GSC's next drive went three and out as Urbana got the ball back with 3:05 to play until halftime. The Blue Knights drove down to the GSC five-yard line. GSC's defense again came up big as Samuel Thomas intercepted Hale's pass and return it to the 50-yard line with just 22 seconds until the half.

It would only take one play and seven seconds for the Pioneers to find pay dirt. McNair and Butler hooked up for the second time on a 50-yard pitch and catch as GSC held a 14-0 lead at halftime.

On the Pioneers opening possession of the third they would drive 75 yards on six plays as freshman J'Quan Anderson punched it in from one yard out to take a 21-0 lead.

Glenville State then added another score at the 10:31 minute mark. Mario Pender scored from two yards out as the Pioneers took a commanding 28-0 lead. However, Urbana would battle back.

Urbana found the endzone at the 5:30 minute mark as Cee Jay Hale connected with Craig Burt for a 65-yard pitch and catch as they trailed, 28-7.

A costly turnover by the Pioneers on their next possession would end up in points for Urbana. Jaylen McNair would fumble the ball on a sack and UU's Jamari Collins would return it 30-yards to the endzone and pulled within 14 points at, 28-14.

Again another costly turnover would result in points for Urbana. At the 2:50 minute mark in the third Jaylen McNair would be intercepted by Urbanas' Tobias Hailey and he would return it 30-yards to the endzone as GSC now led by just seven, 28-21 as we headed into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, both teams would battle back and forth with Urbana getting the ball back with 3:12 to play. The Blue Knights would drive down to the Pioneers 44-yard line and face a fourth and seven. The Pioneers defense would come up with the stop and get the ball back with 1:15 to play.

GSC then ran the clock out as they held off the late surge from the Blue Knights and picked up the 28-21 win.

GSC had 16 total first downs while Urbana finished with 12 on the day.

The Pioneers racked up 290 total rushing yards. The GSC Defense held the Blue Knights to under 100 rushing yards allowing 95 on 38 carriers.

Glenville State threw for 124 yards while Urbana had 199 passing yards.

The Pioneers finished just 2-of-14 on third downs while the Blue Knights went 6-of-18.

Mario Pender rushed for 195 yards on 14 carries and a score while J'Quan Anderson totted the ball 13 times for 64 yards and a touchdown.

Jaylen McNair went 11-for-22 for 124 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. His favorite target was Javon Butler who caught eight balls for 113 yards and two scores.

Defensively, Wil Mayes led all tacklers with 13 total and tackle for loss. Dominic Cizauskas finished with nine tackles while Ellie Lilly had two tackles for loss. Samuel Thomas and Quintavius Twine both had interceptions on the day.

Urbana's Cee Jay Hale went 11-for-29 for 199 yards and a touchdown but also had threw two interceptions.

Isaiah Young carried the ball 26 times for 63 yards.

For Urbana's defense, Duray Hall finished with 11 tackles while L.A. Kelly had seven in the contest.

Glenville State (4-5, 4-4) will hit the road next Saturday, November 3rd as they travel to Buckhannon, West Virginia to take on the Bobcats of West Virginia Wesleyan. Kick-off is slated for 12 p.m.