GLENVILLE, W.Va. – Glenville State and the Mountain East Conference's number one team, West Liberty, will meet Saturday (Oct. 24) afternoon at Ike & Sue Morris Stadium in the annual Pioneer Football homecoming matchup. The game is presented by GoMart and will be streaming on MECTV at 1:30 p.m.
 
THE JAKE CASTEEL SHOW
Watch this week's edition Presented by GoMart on YouTube!
 
SERIES HISTORY

• 86^th meeting between Pioneers and Hilltoppers
• Pioneers are (35-46-4) all-time versus West Liberty
• GSU has won three out of last four against WLU
• First matchup took place in 1924

GAME INFORMATION
Saturday, October 24 | 1:30 p.m. | Ike & Sue Morris Stadium
Glenville State vs West Liberty
Watch Live on MECTV | Live Stats | Tickets | Game Information
 
THE OPPONENT
WEST LIBERTY
2026 Season
The Hilltoppers are the surprise of the year in the Mountain East, as West Liberty comes into Glenville (6-1) overall and (4-0) in MEC play after being picked T-7^th in the league's preseason coaches poll. WLU has won six in a row since losing to Walsh to open the season and most recently defeated West Virginia Wesleyan, 41-21.
 
Head Coach
Chad Salisbury is in his first season leading the Hilltoppers football program after spending nine seasons as the offensive coordinator at California (Pa.). He was also the QB coach for the Vulcans for eight years. Salisbury played professionally in the Arena Football League for eight seasons prior to coaching.
 
Hilltoppers Offense
The Pioneers faced one of the best passing attacks in the country last week, and now face arguably the best running back in the country, Hunter Patterson. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound two-sport star uses his 100m speed to his advantage, leading the conference in rushing with 1,353 yards, which is nearly 800 more yards than the league's next rusher and is just 34 yards behind the nation's leading ball carrier. He is also averaging over eight yards per carry.
 
Patterson leads the Hilltoppers in receiving as well with 315 yards and has totaled 19 touchdowns (14 rushing, 5 receiving). It's not just all Patterson though, as the Hilltoppers quarterback is second in the MEC in passing touchdowns (15) and completion percentage (67%) as well as being third in passing yards (1,314). Kohl Meisman has also thrown just three interceptions, a league-best so far.
 
Hilltoppers Defense
West Liberty's defense is third in the conference in scoring defense (27.6 PPG) and passing defense (194.0 YPG) while being fourth in total defense (382.4 YPG). The defense has been so successful with two of its top four tacklers being true freshman, including the program's leading tackler, Seamus Mahon, who has totaled 54 stops, five pass breakups and two interceptions. Luca Neal, another freshman, has 42 tackles, 2.0 TFL, three pass breakups, one INT, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
 
Hilltoppers Special Teams
Aidan Grella is 7-for-9 on field goals thus far with a long of 47 yards. He's 4-for-5 from 30-39 yards and has hit 2-of-3 from 40-49 yards. Hayden Pack handles the punting operation, averaging just 32.8 yards per punt.
 
THE PIONEERS
GLENVILLE STATE
2026 Season
The Pioneers are fighting to get themselves out of the rough patch they've hit, as GSU is on a six-game losing skid and are (1-6, 0-4 MEC) this season. Glenville State nearly ended their losing streak last week, falling 34-31 on the road to Concord.
 
Pioneers Offense
The blue and white's offense saw a boost last week at Concord, as the Pioneers put up 31 points and JD Sherrod threw for 362 yards and three touchdowns. The three-time transfer now has over 1,200 yards, eight touchdowns and four picks on the season. The ground game did struggle last week, as Zavione Wood continues to lead the squad with 245 yards on 74 attempts.
 
Caden Harris is on an unbelievable run of how many catches before a touchdown, as the UTEP transfer has brought in a team-leading and MEC third-best 43 receptions. Harris has moved the chains all season long, adding 432 yards to his totals. Kyree Bunny has caught 19 passes for 344 yards and five scores while Joziah Gonzales continues to produce weekly, now up to 23 catches for 331 yards and one score. Fairmont State transfer Triston Walker caught five passes for 99 yards and one TD last week at CU, showcasing a potential late-season bloomer.
 
Pioneers Defense
Jacob Clark now leads the defense with 48 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks and three pass breakups. UVA Wise transfer Da'Jon Barnes has gotten healthy as of late, and produced 10 tackles and a pass breakup at Concord. Maddox Gillespie is now up to 5.0 TFL and 33 total tackles after logging six stops and two tackles for loss at CU. Bryson Oliver has been thrown into a bigger role as of late and has passed the eye test from his safety spot, intercepting Devin Kargman a week ago and having 29 tackles on the season.
 
Pioneers Special Teams
Kody Davis-Warrington is now averaging nearly 42 yards per punt since taking over three weeks ago, and has boomed a 62-yarder in that span. Brody Laymn was a perfect three-for-three last week to move his season totals to 7-for-10 with a long of 41 yards.
 
MEDIA
Fans can follow Glenville State Football on Twitter (X) @GlenvilleStFB and Instagram @GlenvilleStFB for news and updates plus many more all season long.

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