ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University football team fell short against Fairmont State, 10-9, as it was dealt its first loss of the season Saturday afternoon in a Mountain East Conference contest at Callaghan Stadium on Homecoming Saturday.
In a game where offense was at a premium, the Mountain Lions (4-1, 3-1 MEC) scored with 38 seconds left on a 32-yard touchdown from senior quarterback
Jack Mangel to redshirt freshman wide receiver
Solomon Butler. However, CU's two-point conversion came up short as a screen pass from Mangel to junior wide receiver
Jarod Bowie was just inches short.
Fairmont State (2-3, 2-2 MEC) opened the scoring with a field goal just over five minutes into the game. Concord answered with its own three points as freshman kicker
Mor Ilderton connected on a 29-yard field goal at the 4:32 mark of the first quarter.
FSU took a 10-3 lead into halftime as quarterback Michael Floria finished off a 73-yard drive with a two-yard run with 8:45 remaining in the first half.
In the second half, the Mountain Lions held Fairmont State to 104 yards of offense as it forced two three-and-outs.
After punting the ball away with 5:20 remaining, Concord saw the Fighting Falcons drive towards midfield until senior defensive lineman
Dajor Davenport came up with a tackle for loss on third-and-five to hand the ball back to Mangel and the offense with 2:11 left.
Concord needed just 1:33 to move the ball 82 yards. Mangel scrambled for 15 yards, and hit a pair of 14-yard passes—to senior running back
Kris Copeland and redshirt freshman wide receiver
Mack Simmons. Two play after Simmons' reception, Butler got behind the secondary for the 32-yard strike.
Mangel finished with 191 yards and the fourth-quarter score. Bowie hauled in five receptions for 50 yards.
Graduate linebacker
Ty Maust had a season-best 11 tackles. Graduate defensive back
Michael Sawyer Jr. racked up a career-best eight tackles.
FSU held a slight edge in total yards (283-270).
The Mountain Lions make their longest road trip of the season as they visit West Liberty 12:00 p.m. October 8.
