Concord Outpaced in Loss at Fairmont State

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The Concord University football team raced out to a 9-0 lead, but was unable to hold down Fairmont State in a 34-19 loss Saturday afternoon in a Mountain East Conference game at Duvall-Rosier Field.

The Mountain Lions (1-8, 1-6 MEC) needed a little over two minutes to take the first lead of the game as graduate kicker/punter Josh Hutley connected on a career-long 42-yard field goal with 12:58 remaining in the first quarter. Hutley's kick was set up by a 47-yard reception by sophomore quarterback Kameron Howard to sophomore wide receiver Jake Roberts on the third play from scrimmage.

After CU forced a Fairmont State (5-4, 4-3 MEC) three-and-out, Concord went right down the field on an 11-play, 70-yard drive that was capped by an eight-yard run by Howard for his first career rushing touchdown.

However, Fairmont State outscored CU 28-3 in the second quarter to take a 28-12 lead at halftime.

The Mountain Lions were able to slow the Fighting Falcons in the third quarter as they limited FSU to two field goal tries. But, Concord was only able to score once in the quarter—a 27-yard dash to the end zone by senior running back JQ Brown. Again, it was Roberts that help set up the score as he had a 45-yard catch-and-run on the drive.

Down 34-19, CU forced a missed field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter. The missed field goal started a string of the Concord defense registering four straight empty possessions for the Fairmont State offense, including three interceptions.

Two interceptions came in the red zone with junior defensive back Cole McKinney, junior linebacker Nehemiah Scott and freshman defensive back Cartaveon Valentine all nabbing picks. Despite the additional possessions, the Mountain Lions could not solve FSU's defense as the Fighting Falcons stopped Concord twice inside the 30-yard line, and held on for the 15-point win.

Howard finished the day by throwing for 292 yards. Roberts tallied his second straight 100-yard game with 136 yards on eight receptions. With a late flurry, freshman wide receiver Marcus Striggles finished with 103 receiving yards. Brown rushed for 131 yards on 28 carries to go with his third-quarter touchdown.

Sophomore defensive back Kendall Bournes equaled his career high with 11 tackles. Freshman defensive lineman Xavier Ellison and junior defensive back Khwan Mickens both had nine tackles. Ellison pitched in two tackles for loss, and McKinney added five tackles to go with interceptions.

CU returns to Callaghan Stadium for the final two games of the regular season, beginning Saturday, November 9 versus Wheeling. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m.