WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The Concord University football team watched a two-possession, fourth-quarter lead slip away as it fell 43-42 to West Liberty Saturday afternoon in a Mountain East Conference game at West Family Stadium.

CU (2-2, 0-2 MEC) led for the entirety of the game with the exception of the final 29 seconds when the Hilltoppers (4-1, 2-0 MEC) scored, and the ensuing two-point conversion was successful.

The Mountain Lions raced out to a 14-0 first-quarter advantage on rushing touchdowns from sophomore running back Jayden Williams and senior running back Maurice Jones. After WLU scored on just two plays late in the first quarter, Concord had its own quick drive as it needed just six plays to cover 91 yards that ended with sophomore wide receiver Dom Collins hauling in a 47-yard touchdown on the final play of the opening period.

The teams traded touchdowns in the second quarter, but again it was CU that had the final score before halftime as junior wide receiver Cordale Russell ran under a 57-yard pass with 31 seconds left in the first half, giving Concord a 35-21 lead at the break.

Collins snared his second touchdown of the afternoon less than seven minutes into the third quarter to give the Mountain Lions their largest lead of the day at 21 points, 42-21.

WLU closed the margin to 14 points with just over three minutes left in the third, and scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth to stun the Mountain Lions.

Graduate quarterback Devin Kargman had a career day as he threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns. Collins needed just six receptions to amass 150 yards receiving to go with his two touchdowns. Russell added 103 yards on five catches and a score.

Junior running back Greg Burrell rolled up 127 yards of offense (66 receiving, 61 rushing). CU's leading rusher was Jones who gained 86 yards on 10 carries while scoring for the third straight games. Williams netted 68 yards and two scores on the ground.

Concord outgained West Liberty, 506-442.

The Mountain Lions' defense rolled up five sacks with sophomore defensive Christian Henderson, junior defensive lineman Jayden McCurdy, junior defensive lineman Nick Mercer, senior Michelot Sine and sophomore defensive lineman Joshua Smith all notching a sack.

CU hosts Frostburg State Saturday, October 3 at 1:00 p.m.