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FAIRMONT -- West Liberty University running back Hunter Patterson made program history twice Saturday afternoon, breaking the career rushing touchdown record and setting a new single-season rushing mark in the Hilltoppers' 34-17 loss to Fairmont State at Duvall-Rosier Field.
With his rushing touchdown, Patterson reached 44 career scores on the ground, breaking the previous school record of 43 held by Kevon Calhoun, who played at West Liberty from 2007-10. Patterson also rushed for 78 yards on 23 carries, bringing his season total to 1,592 yards and surpassing Calhoun's previous single-season record of 1,529 yards, set in 2009.
The loss dropped the Hilltoppers to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in Mountain East Conference play, while Fairmont State improved to 3-6 overall and 3-3 in the MEC.
West Liberty finished with 26 first downs and controlled possession for 34:04, but the Falcons used a strong ground game to pull away. Fairmont State rushed for 205 yards and four touchdowns and finished with 330 yards of total offense. The Hilltoppers totaled 360 yards, including 269 through the air and 91 on the ground, but two turnovers proved costly.
West Liberty twice turned deficits into leads during the first half. After Fairmont State opened the scoring, the Hilltoppers responded with an 11-play, 78-yard drive. Patterson broke a 33-yard run during the possession and capped it with a 1-yard touchdown run on fourth down. Aidan Grella added the extra point for a 7-6 West Liberty advantage.
Fairmont State regained the lead with a punt-return touchdown, but the Hilltoppers answered with another extended scoring drive. West Liberty covered 69 yards in 10 plays, with Kohl Meisman connecting with Levi Gullion for a 6-yard touchdown pass. Grella’s extra point put the Hilltoppers back in front, 14-13, with 7:16 remaining in the half.
The Falcons responded with a touchdown to take a 20-14 lead. West Liberty had an opportunity to cut into the deficit before halftime, driving 71 yards in the final 2:23 and reaching the Fairmont State 9-yard line. However, Grella’s 26-yard field-goal attempt was unsuccessful, sending the Hilltoppers into the break trailing by six.
Fairmont State extended its advantage to 27-14 with a fourth-down touchdown in the third quarter. West Liberty answered with a 12-play, 60-yard drive, converting a fourth-and-1 opportunity at the Fairmont State 27 before Grella connected on a 25-yard field goal to make it 27-17 with 4:42 remaining in the quarter.
The Hilltoppers were unable to get closer in the fourth. A sack on fourth down gave Fairmont State possession at the West Liberty 39, and the Falcons turned the opportunity into a 5-yard touchdown run to extend their lead to 34-17.
West Liberty moved the ball again behind Meisman, who connected with Patterson for a 29-yard gain and Jaylin Harcum for 16 yards. The drive ended with an interception for a touchback with 5:15 remaining, and Fairmont State ran out the clock.
Meisman completed 25 of 35 passes for 269 yards and a touchdown. Patterson added three receptions for 39 yards to go with his record-setting rushing performance. Gullion led the Hilltoppers with six catches for 62 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, DeMontay Johnson finished with six tackles and one sack.
West Liberty returns home next Saturday, Nov. 7, to host Charleston at 1 p.m. at West Family Stadium for Senior Day.