FAIRMONT — Three months ago, Fairmont State head football coach Mike Lopez hoped his Falcons would be playing today for the West Virginia Conference title.
Instead the Falcons, like they have each of the past seven years, will be playing for little more than pride Saturday in their season finale as they trek south to Institute to tangle with West Virginia State in a 1 p.m. game at Lakin Field on the Yellow Jackets’ “Senior Day.”
FSU enters today’s contest 3-7 overall and 3-4 in the WVC. In the league’s preseason coaches’ poll, Fairmont was tabbed to finish sixth in the nine-team conference. The Falcons are currently in sixth place in the league, but could possibly climb into a tie for fifth place with a victory today and a Concord loss at league champion West Liberty.
West Virginia State has struggled as well this fall. After back-to-back 7-3 campaigns under coach Earl Monroe the Yellow Jackets have stumbled this season and come into today’s game 2-7 overall and just 1-6 in the WVC.
“Playing State at State is always a battle for us,” said Lopez. “Even when we've had some of our very good teams they’ve had battles with State. They’re always very athletic and dangerous and this season is no different.
“They’ve shown an ability to score points this year at times. They scored 30 in a 52-30 loss to West Liberty and they lost a close game to Concord so we know we’re in for a battle Saturday. The one thing our kids understand is they’ve got to go down there and continue to come together and end this season on a positive note. Right now that's all we’re focused on.”
The Yellow Jackets have won the last two meetings between the teams both in close fashion. In 2007 State snapped a nine-game losing streak to FSU with a 14-7 victory in a game dominated by defense. Then last season in Fairmont, the Yellow Jackets rallied from a 20-7 deficit in the game's final 12 minutes to record a hard-fought 21-20 win.
FSU actually had a chance to win that contest on the game’s final play, but Falcon kicker Alex Ashley, who earlier in the game had connected on a pair of 51-yard field goals, was wide right on a 41-yard attempt.
History, though, is in the Falcons’ favor today. The Yellow Jackets have never recorded three consecutive victories over Fairmont State.
The Yellow Jackets are led by senior quarterback Kevin O’Brien, who is the school’s all-time leading passer and is currently ranked 10th all-time in WVC history with 7,187 passing yards. O’Brien missed three games this season with a wrist injury, but has played the past two weeks for State. He has completed 76-of-126 passes for 825 yards and six touchdowns this fall. He’s been picked off five times.
Protecting the quarterback, though, has been an issue for State’s front line all season. The Yellow Jackets have surrendered 30 sacks this fall, which is the second-highest total in the league.
State’s top receivers are Jermain King and Landon Johnson. King has 48 receptions for 627 yards and seven scores, while Johnson has caught 29 passes for 460 yards and five TDs.
The Yellow Jackets have struggled on the ground this season. As a team, State averages a paltry 69.7 rushing yards per game which is last in the WVC.
State’s offense is ranked last in the league with an average of 265.7 yards per game, while its defense is rated seventh. The Yellow Jackets allow 389.6 yards per outing and 32.9 points.
State’s defense is led by senior linebackers Andrew Eggleton and Valentine Bon, who are the top two tacklers in the conference with 99 and 90 stops respectively.
Fairmont State has won two of its last three contests, while State has dropped four in a row. The Falcons lead the all-time series between the teams, 28-12-1. FSU is also a perfect 5-0 in its last five season finales.
“Winning the final game obviously helps you heading into the offseason and it’s always nice to send your seniors out with a victory, but it’s not going to be easy for us,” said Lopez. “We expect a tremendous challenge Saturday.”
Duane Cochrane
FSU visits State for season finale
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