CLARKSBURG, W.Va. - The Glenville State Football team defended The Battle For The Bit at RCB Eagle Stadium earlier today, beating Fairmont State, 36-24, to capture their first MEC win of the 2025 season. GSU totaled 475 yards of offense and held off a Falcons comeback on four Pioneer turnovers.
 
1st Quarter
It was a near perfect first drive for the Pioneers to open the game, highlighted by a Jeremiah King 47-yard rush that led to a 12-yard TD connection between Anthony Garrett and Naseem Pacheco. The GSU defense easily shut down the Falcon offense on their first drive, however a fumble on the punt return put the ball right back in Fairmont's hands. Glenville State's defense didn't budge as Tank Gant stripped Leanord Farrow and Braden Boggs took it all the way to the FSU 20-yardline.
 
Another fumble transpired just four plays later with the Falcons regaining possession. A strong stand by the Glenville State defense allowed Anthony Garrett to lead a long drive that resulted in a Brody Layman 28-yard field goal, extending the Pioneer lead to 10-0.
 
2nd Quarter
Fairmont State's offense looked to have found their groove to start the second quarter but a turnover on downs briefly changed the narrative. Garrett connected with Amari Colon-Brown for 44 yards before once again finding Colon-Brown from 19 yards out to push the advantage to 16-0. GSU would miss the ensuing extra point. On Fairmont State's next drive, they were stalled to a three-and-out with GSU gaining good field position.
 
Glenville State once again took advantage, notching a three-plus minute drive that ended with Clarksburg native Jeremiah King scoring from one yard out, making it 23-0. The Falcons put their first points of the day on the board on a 65-yard rushing touchdown from Leonard Farrow to trim the deficit to the eventual halftime score, 23-7.
 
3rd Quarter
Out of the locker room, FSU carried over their late first-half offensive success with a 41-yard rushing score from QB Nino Marzullo. Following a pair of scoreless drives, the Pioneers blocked a punt and added a field goal to their score, 29-14, with just over six minutes left. A near four-minute drive by the Falcons resulted in a touchdown by LeJay Hatcher to make it a one-score game.
 
Before the end of the quarter, Graylan Holland had a pair of impressive runs, one for 17 yards and one for a six-yard score, pushing the Pioneer lead to 36-21.
 
4th Quarter
The Falcons drained almost seven minutes off the clock in their next drive, with the blue and white holding them to an eventual field goal. The Pioneers were able to trim more clock off in the ensuing drive before Zander Watson pinned FSU inside the five. However, Fairmont State drove 89 yards before Elia Jeffry Ofosu picked off Marzullo at the goal line which closed the deal in favor of the Pioneers, 36-24.
 
Final Stats
Fairmont State
Nino Marzullo completed 17 of his 37 passes for 139 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The former MEC Offensive Freshman of the Year also ran for 79 yards and a TD. Leonard Farrow the Falcons in rushing with 148 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries while LeJay Hatcher ran the ball 15 times for 66 yards. Hatcher also added a receiving TD. Seven Falcons recorded a reception, led by Winston Page's five catches for 47 yards.
 
Defensively, Tyrees Smith totaled 10 tackles and 0.5 TFL to lead the team. Montel Sims added nine stops and Matt Pack finished with eight while both had 0.5 TFL each. Quadir Lockett-Smith and Saumir Deshields both forced a fumble as well.
 
Glenville State
Anthony Garrett went 11-for-21 with 239 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Garrett shared the backfield with four different backs today with Jeremiah King leading the way with 115 yards and one score on 19 carries. Graylan Holland almost reached the century mark, totaling 96 yards and one TD on eight carries. At receiver, Naseem Pacheco (four catches, 61 yards, one TD) and Amari Colon-Brown (three catches, 82 yards, one TD) were heavily involved. Kordell Lewis, Arnav Thonrhill, Tariq Miller and Tariq Meredith also finished with a catch each.
 
On defense, the conference's leading tackler continues to impress as Brandon Penn led the Pioneers with 10 tackles and a blocked punt. Sean Scott (nine tackles), Shary Jefferson (eight tackles, 0.5 TFL) and Tank Gant (eight tackles, 0.5 TFL, one forced fumble) were also near the top in tackles. Kalon Curry had his best game in a Pioneer uniform, registering seven stops and a QB hurry. Eugene Allen lived in the backfield, notching two tackles for loss, one sack, one QB hurry and one pass breakup.
 
The secondary gave Marzullo fits all day with Kaevon Blanding and Andre Jefferson both recording two pass breakups while Penn, Elia Jeffry Ofosu and Jaiden McLendon Parker finished with one pass breakup each. Ofosu also had the Pioneers lone interception.
 
Up Next For The Pioneers
The Pioneers hit the road to Maryland next Saturday (Oct. 11) to take on (5-0) Frostburg State. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium.
  Read Full Article