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WATERBURY, Conn. - Hunter Patterson rushed for 191 yards and four touchdowns while the West Liberty University defense forced five turnovers as the Hilltoppers rolled to a 35-14 victory over Post on Saturday at Municipal Stadium.
West Liberty, which improved to 2-1 on the season, scored 28 unanswered points spanning the first and second quarters to turn a scoreless game into a commanding halftime advantage.
Patterson carried the load for the Hilltoppers, rushing 26 times for 191 yards and four touchdowns while adding a 7-yard touchdown reception. Kohl Meisman completed 13-of-17 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown while adding 26 yards on the ground.
West Liberty finished with 257 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns while adding 162 yards through the air. The Hilltoppers did not commit a turnover, while the defense recovered three of Post’s five fumbles.
The Hilltoppers broke through late in the first quarter with a nine-play, 69-yard drive. Patterson capped the march with a 5-yard touchdown run, and Aidan Grella’s extra point gave West Liberty a 7-0 lead.
The defense helped set the tone early. Marvelle Cromerdie broke up a third-down pass on Post’s opening possession, while Grant Neiswonger later recorded a tackle for loss. Post missed a 43-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining in the opening quarter as the Hilltoppers carried their 7-0 lead into the second period.
Patterson then took over.
The senior scored three times in the second quarter, opening with a 24-yard touchdown run before adding a 44-yard scoring burst and a 7-yard touchdown reception from Meisman.
Samuel Hobbs recovered a Post fumble to give West Liberty a short field before Patterson broke free for his 44-yard touchdown. Later in the quarter, Jamison Holliday forced another Post fumble that Luca Neal recovered, setting up another West Liberty scoring opportunity.
The Hilltoppers took a 28-0 lead into halftime after scoring touchdowns on four consecutive possessions.
Post answered in the third quarter with a pair of rushing touchdowns, cutting the deficit to 28-14. West Liberty was held scoreless in the period despite controlling the ball for 10:40. The Hilltoppers managed just 42 passing yards and five rushing yards in the quarter, punting on their first two possessions before a final drive crossed midfield and ended at the Post 48 as the quarter expired.
The Hilltoppers responded with a crucial defensive stand early in the fourth quarter.
On fourth-and-10 from the West Liberty 22, Neiswonger tackled Tyler Phommachanh for a 1-yard loss to end the Post threat. West Liberty then marched 75 yards for the clinching touchdown.
Anthony May broke runs of 29 and 11 yards during the drive before Patterson capped the march with a 10-yard touchdown run. Grella’s extra point pushed the lead to 35-14.
Neiswonger came up with another big play late, recovering a Post fumble at the West Liberty 4-yard line with 1:26 remaining to help secure the victory.
Hobbs led the Hilltoppers with eight tackles and added a fumble recovery. Neiswonger finished with six tackles, one sack, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.
West Liberty finished with 23 first downs and held the ball for 36:23. Post recorded 16 first downs and possessed the ball for 23:37. The Hilltoppers converted 6-of-14 third-down opportunities, while Post was 2-of-8.
The Hilltoppers return to action next Saturday when they open Mountain East Conference play by hosting Frostburg State on Hall of Fame Day at West Family Stadium. The game will also feature the recognition of West Liberty’s newest Hall of Fame class during halftime.