INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The Glenville State Football team gave up 289 yards on the ground and converted just three of 11 third downs in their 52-28 loss at West Virginia State earlier today at Dickerson Stadium. With the defeat, the Pioneers move to (5-4, 4-2 MEC) on the year.
1st Quarter
The Yellow Jackets were able to take off over half of the 15-minute clock in the opening quarter on a 13-play, 75-yard drive that saw WVSU convert a 2
nd & 20 and score from three yards out to take the early lead. On the ensuing play from scrimmage, Glenville State showed that they didn't need to take almost eight minutes off the clock to put their first points on the board as
Anthony Garrett found
Naseem Pacheco streaking on a play action for a 75-yard touchdown to notch things up at 7-7. West Virginia State wasted no time regaining the lead as Kaleb Jackson found the league's leading receiver, Amare Ary, for a 57-yard touchdown connection that gave WVSU the 14-7 advantage.
2nd Quarter
The Pioneers put together a solid drive right before the end of the first quarter and had another brewing in the second stanza but a turnover on downs forced the Pioneer defense back out on the field at the WVSU 35-yardline. After West Virginia State sustained another successful drive of their own, it came to an end on a missed 31-yard field goal that
Tank Gant tipped at the line of scrimmage. The Yellow Jackets got possession prior to half but came out empty handed when Joe Dailey was stopped at the one-yardline as time expired.
3rd Quarter
Following a three-and-out by the GSU offense to open the new half, WVSU started to build separation when Devin Cox broke free for a 45-yard touchdown run, making it 21-7. The Pioneers gambled on fourth down when another promising drive was stalled, but the gamble was stuffed on the fake punt and WVSU took over on downs. Plays later, a pass breakup turned into a touchdown reception for WVSU when Malik Baker II caught the TD off the tip.
Midway through the quarter, an
Anthony Garrett pass that bounced off the receiver's chest fell right into the waiting arms of Kennan Libecca, who returned it 34 yards for another Yellow Jacket score as the lead ballooned to 35-7. However, the Pioneers were able to quickly climb back in the game as an impressive drive was capped off by a three-yard TD run from
Jeremiah King before Garrett connected with
Tariq Miller from 32 yards out to trim the deficit back down to two scores at 35-21.
4th Quarter
As Glenville State fought to stay in the game, a 41-yard rush and 22-yard touchdown run from Jojo Restall gave the Yellow Jackets a breath of fresh air with the lead back up to 21. However, the GSU offense drove down the field and scored on a Garrett and Miller connection to make it 42-28. After an onside attempt that the Yellow Jackets recovered, the game was once again pushed to a three-possession contest with a 38-yard field goal from Tony Hornbuckle. As time dwindled down, West Virginia State put one final score on the board to close things out and snap the Pioneers four-game winning streak, 52-28.
Final Stats
West Virginia State
Kaleb Jackson completed 15-of-22 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns while connecting with seven different receivers. Malik Baker II (six catches, 91 yards, one TD) and Amare Ary (three catches, 74 yards, one TD) were atop the leaders for WVSU. On the ground, Devin Cox accounted for 143 of the Yellow Jackets 289 rushing yards as he added a TD on 19 carries. Jojo Restall added 86 yards and a score while Nasean Hill carried the ball 12 times for 42 yards.
Defensively, it was a four sack day for four different Yellow Jackets and two turnovers were forced in the win. Shawn Russ Jr. and Malik Brown both had six tackles while Jacob Camacho had five tackles and four pass breakups. In total, 26 West Virginia State defenders registered a tackle.
Glenville State
Anthony Garrett threw the ball 41 times, competing 19 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Garrett threw an interception and WVSU's four sacks were a season-high allowed by the Pioneer offense. The GSU run game was held to under 100 yards, as
Jeremiah King had just 46 yards and one TD on 10 carries while Garrett added 23 yards on the ground.
Tariq Miller had a big day at receiver, catching seven passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns.
Naseem Pacheco had a TD as well.
The Pioneer defense had just one TFL and no sacks but were led by
Shary Jefferson's 14 tackles.
Brandon Penn returned to his double-digit tackling performances as the redshirt senior notched 10 stops.
Tank Gant had the lone TFL while blocking the field goal. Linebacker
Braden Boggs was active in the passing game, batting down two passes in the loss.
Up Next For The Pioneers
The Pioneers will host Wheeling at Erickson All-Sports Facility in Parkersburg next Saturday (Nov. 8) for senior day. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
