Fairmont State knocks off UU, 48-14

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FAIRMONT, W.Va. – After trading scores early in the game, Fairmont State scored 41 unanswered points to beat Urbana University, 48-14, on Homecoming Saturday at Duvall-Rosier Field.

With the win, the Falcons improve 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the Mountain East Conference. UU slips to 1-4 both overall and in the MEC.

FSU senior quarterback Cooper Hibbs finished the afternoon by going 22-of-37 for 240 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Backup quarterback Takwan Crews-Naylor also threw his first-career touchdown pass in the fourth quarter; competing 2-of-3 passes for 69 yards and a score.

Laurence King nearly missed the century mark to lead all FSU receivers, totaling nine catches for 94 yards and a touchdown on the afternoon. King also recorded a 53-yard punt return in the second quarter. Senior receiver Fabian Guerra also hauled in six receptions for 76 yards and a score. Guerra, who is third in school history in both receptions and receiving yards, now needs just two catches and 158 yards to move into second in school history in both categories.

James Oliver led the FSU ground attack with 127 yards on 17 carries, with a majority of those yards coming on a 61-yard touchdown run with 1:13 remaining in the third quarter. Rakeem Darden also crossed the goal line for the second-straight game, totaling 35 yards on six carries and scoring a touchdown.

The FSU offense rolled up 533 yards of total offense in the victory, including 309 yards through the air.

After giving up touchdowns on the first two UU possessions of the game, the FSU defense tightened-up, allowing just 197 yards and intercepting three passes the remainder of the game, allowing zero points in the final three quarters of play.

With the score tied at 14-14 early in the second quarter, Hibbs and Guerra gave the Falcons the lead for good on a 13-yard pass-and-catch over the middle. Sam Keil, last week’s MEC Player of the Week, also converted on a 29- and 39-yard field goal in the second quarter to send the Falcons to the locker room leading 27-14.

With UU threatening at the FSU 13 early in the third quarter, Turner picked off a pass and returned it 85 yards for the score, putting the Falcons in front 34-14 with 11:22 remaining in the third quarter.

FSU added to its lead late in the third when Oliver took a handoff 61 yards to put FSU in front by a score of 41-14.

FSU added one more score in the fourth when freshman receiver Dana Jackson hauled in a 37-yard touchdown strike from Crews-Naylor, scoring a touchdown on his first-ever collegiate reception.

Tajuan Green led UU in both passing and rushing, completing 10 of 22 pass attempts for 131 yards and added 42 yards on 10 carries on the ground. Receiver Larry Southall led the Blue Knights with five receptions for 73 yards.

Josh Dillard and Duray Hall each racked up double-digit tackles for the Blue Knights, recording 14 and 13, respectively. Dillard also picked off a pass for the Urbana defense.

UU hosts Cincinnati Christian on Saturday at 1 p.m.

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