FAIRMONT —
Fairmont State’s underclassmen were determined to make their eight seniors’ final home game Saturday afternoon at Duvall-Rosier Field a successful one.
Mission accomplished.
Numerous Falcon youngsters enjoyed big days against visiting West Virginia State, but on this afternoon fittingly it was a senior who turned in the marquee performance.
Matt Wilmer, who has enjoyed an electrifying career for FSU since signing with the team four years ago out of Keyser High School, rolled up 241 all-purpose yards, including an 86-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to help Fairmont State cruise to a 48-28 victory over the Yellow Jackets.
Wilmer returned two kickoffs in the win for 120 total yards, carried the football four times for 54 yards (an average of 13.5 yards per attempt), caught three passes for 41 yards and returned three punts for 26 yards.
But it was Wilmer’s 86-yard kickoff return for a TD midway through the second quarter following a State touchdown which had given the Yellow Jackets a short-lived 14-13 lead which turned the tide of the game and propelled FSU to the win.
“One thing (special teams) coach (Ryan) Dumont always preaches to us is that special teams plays can be a big momentum changer in a game,” said Wilmer, who is garnering looks from the NFL and earlier this year brought back a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against Glenville. “They help set the tone for the offense and the defense.
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Related Photos
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Fairmont State's Anthony Domico pressures West Virginia State’s Ricky Phillips. PHOTO BY TAMMY SHRIVER
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Fairmont Senior's Ryland Newman (23), Daniel Strosnider (37) and Garrett Davis (5) close in on West Virginia State’s Ervin Kent. PHOTO BY TAMMY SHRIVER
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Fairmont State's Shad Alexander attempts to dodge West Virginia State’s Calem Bridgette. PHOTO BY TAMMY SHRIVER
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Fairmont State's Collin Alford tries to escape the hold of West Virginia State’s Calem Bridgette. PHOTO BY TAMMY SHRIVER
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Fairmont Senior's Daniel Monroe heads up field as West Virginia State’s Malcolm Banch comes in for the tackle. PHOTO BY TAMMY SHRIVER
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Fairmont State's Matt Wilmer tries to escape West Virginia State’s Turquan Casey. PHOTO BY TAMMY SHRIVER
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Fairmont State's Bobby Vega passes under pressure. PHOTO BY TAMMY SHRIVER
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Fairmont State's Chris St. Hillaire tries to escape the tackle of West Virginia State’s Charles Eskew III. PHOTO BY TAMMY SHRIVER
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Fairmont Senior's Matt Larrubia blocks West Virginia State’s Cory Broughton’s punt. PHOTO BY TAMMY SHRIVER
Falcons topple State on Senior Day
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