BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – The Glenville State Football team captured their highest finish (2^nd) in the MEC since the league formed in 2013 and their fifth-straight victory earlier today at West Virginia Wesleyan, 42-23. The Pioneers ran for 272 yards and nearly netted 500 yards of total offense while allowing just three yards on the ground in the win.

1^st Quarter
With both team's going empty handed in their opening drives, the Pioneers put together a near five-minute drive to go up 7-0 on a Zavione Wood three-yard TD run. WVWC quickly answered back with a score of their own as Nathan Payne found Max Rocco from 17 yards out to tie it at 7-7 as the first quarter ended.

2^nd Quarter
On Glenville's ensuing drive, the run game was working throughout, eventually ending in a three-yard Markquan Rucker touchdown run. The Bobcats chipped seven minutes off the clock and tied the game once again on a nine-yard TD pass from Payne as the score remained locked up at 14-14 going into the locker room.

3^rd Quarter
After Jeremiah King put the Pioneers across the 50 on the opening kickoff of the new half, GSU was able to find the endzone in just three plays, capped off by Anthony Garrett finding freshman Kordell Lewis from 35 yards out to regain the lead. WVWC continued the scoring, this time with a 26-yard field goal. The Pioneers were finally able to create some separation on their next drive when Zavione Wood found the endzone for the second time.

4^th Quarter
Markquan Rucker was the entire two-play drive for the Pioneers with six minutes left, having a 35-yard rush that set up his four-yard score to make it 35-17. Plays later, WVWC cut the deficit to 12 with a 62-yard touchdown connection. Anthony Garrett found Tariq Miller from 56 yards out to put the finishing touches on the Pioneers 42-23 win.

Final Stats
West Virginia Wesleyan
Nathan Payne threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns with one interception, completing just over 50% of his passes. On the ground, no Bobcat had more than five carries and 13 yards. Wesley Sweeney had five catches for 84 yards and a TD while Joseph Triplett finished with three catches for 85 yards and a TD. Caron Jones led the Bobcats defensively, notching eight tackles, three TFL and one sack. Colyn Webster also finished with eight tackles in the loss.

Glenville State
Anthony Garrett completed 13 of his 17 passes and threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns while having one interception. Zavione Wood was a machine on the ground, running the ball 26 times for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Markquan Rucker was a great second punch to Wood's first, as the WVU transfer ran for 102 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Tariq Miller completed his stellar junior campaign with six catches for 120 yards and one touchdown today. Tariq Meredith (two catches, 37 yards) and Kordell Lewis (two catches, 32 yards and one TD) were also effective in the receiving game.

Shaun Sterling Jr. led the Pioneers with seven tackles and one pass breakup. Joshua Carr recorded four tackles, 1.5 TLF and 0.5 sack while Jamair Diaz finished with three tackles, 1.5 TFL and 1.5 sack. Steve Bradshaw, Sean Scott, Brogan Brown, Eugene Allen and Deondre Crudup all finished with a TFL as well.

The Pioneers finish the 2024 regular season (7-4, 7-2 MEC), their best mark in the MEC in program history.
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