Glenville, W.Va. - The Glenville State Pioneers defense forced seven turnovers as it lifted them to a 22-15 victory over the Fairmont State University Fighting Falcons on Thursday evening in the annual "Battle for the Bit", 22-15.

The victory over Fairmont State was the first for the Pioneers since 2013.

Glenville State (3-2, 2-2 MEC) finished with 260 total yards of offense while Fairmont State (1-4-, 1-4 MEC) racked up 511 total yards of offense on 78 plays.

The Pioneers would hold a 6-0 advantage after quarter number one as Justin Watts connected on two field goals. Watts's first field goal came from 19 yards out at the 2:46 minute mark .Then after an interception by Delonte Hood on the Fighting Falcons next possession would lead to a 46 yard field goal.

Glenville State then added to their lead in the second quarter, this time off of a FSU fumble, as Watts connected on a 23 yard field goal as the Pioneers held a 9-0 lead with 6:49 to play until the half.

The Pioneers then found the endzone by the way of a Dominic Cizauskas interception as he returned it 33 yards for the score. However a bad snap on the Pioneers PAT would result in Fairmont State's Trevon Shorts picking off the pass and took it 100 yards for two points as GSC took a 15-2 lead into the half.

Fairmont State came out in the third and drove 62 yards on five plays as Takwan Crews-Naylor hit Andre Hall on a 50 yard pitch and catch as they pulled within a touchdown, 15-8 with 13:19 to play in the third.

The Pioneers then found pay dirt again on another Cizauskas interception, his second of the contest. This time the middle linebacker rumbled 65 yards in the endzone as GSC went up, 22-8 with 5:51 to play in the quarter.

GSC took that 14 point lead into the fourth quarter, 22-8.

Fairmont State made it a seven point game at the 10:27 minute mark as Crews-Naylor hit Javon Hayes on a 53 yard touchdown pass making it, 22-15.

At 3:06 mark the Fighting Falcons would have a one last opportunity to try and tie the game up. Fairmont State would drive all the way down to the Pioneers seven yard line and facing a fourth and goal Dominic Cizauskas would break up a pass at the goal line as GSC held on for the victory.

It's the second straight game the Pioneers have failed to score an offensive touchdown.

GSC rushed for 74 yards on 37 carries while FSU racked up 159 yards on the ground on 38 carriers.

Fairmont State also held the advantage in the air as they threw for 352 yards while GSC finished with 186 yards in the air.

Glenville State was only penalized four times in the contest for 30 yards while Fairmont State was flagged nine times for 88 yards.

Mario Pender rushed for 56 yards on 19 carries to lead GSC.

Timothy Heltzel finished the night going 13-for-25 for 186 yards and an interception.

Heltzel's favorite target was Austin Ratliff as he hauled in four passes for 43 yards. Isaac Myers finished with two catches for 52 yards.

Defensively, Dominic Cizauskas had a fabulous game finishing with 11 tackles, two interceptions, two touchdowns, a fumble recovery, and a sack. Wil Mayes racked up 10 tackles and a forced fumble. Delonte Hood also came away with two interceptions on the night.

Khalik Hamlin led Fairmont State on the ground with 78 rushing yards on 18 carries.

Takwan Crews-Naylor went 16-for-40 for 352 yards with two touchdowns but had five interceptions.

Andre Hill hauled in six passes for 173 yards and a TD while Javon Hayes caught six passes for 112 yards.

D.J. Adediwura led the Fighting Falcons with 11 tackles while Trevon Shorts finished with eight tackles.

Glenville State (3-2, 2-2 MEC) will hit the road next Saturday, October 12^th as they travel to Urbana University. Kick-off is slated for 1 p.m.