Concord Stymied by Fairmont State in Loss

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The Concord University football team could not solve Fairmont State Saturday afternoon as it dropped a Mountain East Conference road contest 28-0 at Duvall-Rosier Field.

The Fighting Falcons (2-0) received the ball first and took the ball 75 yards for a scoring drive, grabbing a 7-0 lead just 2:19 into the game.

On the ensuing drive, the Mountain Lions (1-1) drove the length of the field only to be stopped at the two-yard line. CU came up empty on the drive as it missed a field goal. The opening drive was one of two times on the afternoon that Concord was able to get in the red zone.

Fairmont State wide receiver Fabian Guerra added a pair of touchdown receptions in the second quarter including one with 44 seconds left in the first half to give FSU a 21-0 lead at halftime.

FSU maintained its 21-0 lead into the fourth quarter when Trevon Shorts returned an interception for the Fighting Falcons to extend their lead to 28-0, the same margin of victory.

A fourth quarter pass from senior quarterback Brian Novak to senior wide receiver Jermeil Douse lifted Novak to the all-time leader in passing yards at Concord. CU's signal caller finished the game 21-for-45 for 168 yards but threw two interceptions.

Senior running back Ethan Richardson was CU's leader rusher with six carries for 38 yards. Junior running back Nick Loftin caught five passes for 32 yards.

Defensively, senior defensive lineman Darryl Johnson recorded double-digit tackles for the second straight week with 11 tackles, one tackle for loss and a first quarter fumble recovery. Fellow senior defensive lineman Kevin Pierre had eight tackles that included 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.

Sophomore linebacker Zach Malone had a career-high eight tackles while sophomore defensive lineman Colton Neal had four tackles and a career-best two sacks.

Fairmont State quarterback Cooper Hibbs threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns. All three of Hibbs' scores went to Guerra.

Saturday was the first time Concord was shutout since 2008.

CU returns home next Saturday to host Urbana at 12:00 p.m.