October 3rd, 2026 3:00pm
DUNBAR, W.Va. — West Liberty keeps finding ways to finish.
The Hilltoppers rallied from a pair of multi-score deficits Saturday, forcing overtime before Hunter Patterson's 18-yard touchdown run on third-and-3 capped a 41-38 victory over West Virginia State at Lakin-Ray Field at Dickerson Stadium.
"I just continue to marvel at the way the kids fight back," West Liberty head coach Chad Salisbury said. "I wish we would play better early, but I'm just so proud of the grit this team shows."
The win was West Liberty's second overtime victory of the season and extended its winning streak to five games. The Hilltoppers improved to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in Mountain East Conference play, marking the program's first 5-1 start since 2009. West Virginia State fell to 1-4 overall and 0-3 in the MEC.
West Liberty has now won all three of its conference games on the final possession.
Saturday's comeback followed a familiar script. The Hilltoppers repeatedly answered when the Yellow Jackets appeared to have control, eventually erasing a 35-21 fourth-quarter deficit.
West Liberty tied the game at 35-35 with 3:44 remaining after a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. The possession included a fourth-down completion to Anthony May and a 39-yard connection with Anthony Campbell before the Hilltoppers finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Kohl Meisman.
The defense then gave West Liberty an opportunity to win in regulation when Gene Hall intercepted West Virginia State on the final play of the fourth quarter, sending the game to overtime.