WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The Glenville State Football team found the endzone with one minute left in the game to push past West Liberty, 42-38, and break the Pioneers three-game road losing streak on the Hilltop earlier today. GSU produced 479 yards of total offense and converted five fourth downs to win their fourth-game in a row and improve to (5-3, 4-1 MEC).
 
1^st Quarter
A good kickoff return from West Virginia transfer Andrew Phares and an 18-yard reception by Tariq Miller put the Pioneers in Hilltopper territory in a hurry but a missed field goal from 29 yards out put an end to the drive. The GSU defense produced a three-and-out before the offense was able to put together another strong drive, however it would be halted as well with a turnover on downs.
 
In a wild turn of events, West Liberty broke the scoreless tie with a 68-yard touchdown run from Hunter Patterson but the extra point would be blocked by Sean Williams and returned for 90 yards by Andre Jefferson to make it 6-2. The odd score didn't stick on the scoreboard long with Anthony Garrett connecting with Zavione Wood for 20 yards before finding Kordell Lewis from 40 yards out to take the lead at 9-6.
 
2^nd Quarter
The Hilltoppers were looking to take the lead back but the Pioneer defense forced a turnover on downs with Brandon Penn making the stop to add onto his already impressive season total. Following consecutive punts by both squads, the Pioneers extended their lead to six on a 27-yard field goal from Brody Layman. A strong stop by the blue and white on defense led to three more points before the half, making it 15-6 going into the locker room.
 
3^rd Quarter
It was an impressive drive for WLU to open the new half, resulting in a touchdown on just five plays to trim the deficit to two. The Pioneers were stood up on their first drive of the 2^nd half, however the offense had the ball right back when Jamar Grimball forced a fumble on West Liberty's first play of their new drive. With the ball at the West Liberty 39-yardline, GSU moved the ball inside the five but an unnecessary roughness penalty stalled the drive, resulting in just three points for the Pioneers as Glenville State led 18-13 heading into the final quarter.
 
4^th Quarter
A quick stop by the defense allowed the Pioneers to register a bigger advantage at the start of the 4^th stanza as Jeremiah King found the endzone from six yards out as GSU made it 25-13. The double-digit lead didn't last long as West Liberty pushed it down the field in under a minute on the back of Hunter Patterson, who had a 48-yard rush and a 29-yard touchdown reception. After a Pioneer punt, the Hilltoppers drained over four minutes of game clock and took their first lead since the opening quarter while also converting on the two-point conversion, gaining a 28-25 lead over GSU.
 
It was a crucial drive for Glenville State and the Anthony Garrett-led offense did not shy away from the pressure. With the ball on their own 42-yardline, Garett found Kordell Lewis across the middle for 10 yards to convert. Four plays later, Jeremiah King converted another fourth down for the Pioneers and moved the ball inside the WLU 40. Another four plays later, Garrett connected with Naseem Pacheco down the middle on a 4^th and 10 to push the ball inside the redzone. A Graylan Holland nine-yard run set up a play-action connection between Garrett and Koraun Perdue for the touchdown to give Glenville State the 32-28 lead. The Hilltoppers made it interesting in the final 53-seconds, advancing into Pioneer territory but it would be the Pioneer defense denying West Liberty of another Hilltop Miracle to secure the 42-38 victory.
 
Final Stats
West Liberty
Antevious Jackson completed 14-of-24 passes for 191 yards and two scores while Hunter Patterson was electric once again on the ground, totaling 148 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Five different Hilltopper receivers notched three catches with Levi Gullion registering 64 yards and both Patterson and Rashad Murray finishing with a touchdown grab.
 
Three Hilltoppers had double-digit tackles in Bre'Andre Horsley (14), Nolan Shimp (13) and Grant Neiswonger (10). Shimp also forced a fumble and Horsley had six QB hurries. Junus McGraw logged an interception and two pass breakups in the backend as well.
 
Glenville State
Anthony Garrett threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-44 passing and an interception. Jeremiah King finished with his fourth-straight 100-yard rushing game as the redshirt sophomore had another career day, logging 160 yards on 27 carries with a TD. Garrett connected with 10 different receivers with Naseem Pacheco being his favorite as the senior totaled seven catches for 61 yards. Kordell Lewis logged four grabs for 64 yards and one TD while Koraun Perdue had the other receiving TD.
 
Defensively, Braden Boggs was all over the place from his middle linebacker position, notching 10 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. Brandon Penn and Shary Jefferson both had seven tackles each with Penn having a sack. Jamar Grimball was active up front, putting together a stat line of three tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one QB hurry in the win.
 
Up Next For The Pioneers
The Pioneers are back on the road next Saturday (Nov. 1) to take on West Virginia State in Institute. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
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