Glenville State erases 16-point deficit, Fairmont State scores late to down GSU
FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The Glenville State Football team erased a 16-point first half deficit and took a one-point lead heading into the fourth quarter but a late score by Fairmont State lead the Falcons to a 31-24 win over the Pioneers earlier today (Oct. 3). GSU now falls to (1-4) overall and (0-2) in league play.
1st Quarter
Fairmont State started The Battle For The Bit with a 42-yard connection between Nino Marzullo and Ralo Wesley for an opening drive score. Both teams then went three-and-out before the Pioneers had a miscue on special teams that ended in a safety. A strong kick return put FSU just 18 yards out from the endzone and five plays later, the scoreboard read 16-0.
Glenville State’s offense came alive on the ensuing drive, with JD Sherrod ending a 12-play, 74-yard drive on a touchdown run from nine yards out.
2nd Quarter
The Falcons found paydirt to open the second quarter, going up by 16 once again after Marzullo found running back James Borbor out of the backfield. With their backs against the wall, the Pioneer offense answered the call by cutting Fairmont’s lead back down to nine on a Sherrod 17-yard touchdown run on a perfectly timed QB draw call. The GSU defense produced a big stop to setup a 20-yard Brody Layman field goal right before the half, making it 23-17 Fairmont at the break.
3rd Quarter
It was a defensive slug fest in the third quarter, and the Pioneer defense forced a big turnover with a little over two minutes left in the stanza. Navy transfer Julien Moutome poked the ball out of Marzullo’s hands on a run and local product Donovan Williams fell on it to give the offense perfect field position at the 13-yard line.
Four straight runs, including three JD Sherrod carriers, resulted in a GSU touchdown that pushed the Pioneers ahead, 24-23.
4th Quarter
FSU took the lead right back at the start of the deciding quarter after a big 3rd & 8 conversion and a one-yard TD run by Marzullo. The Falcons then converted on the two-point conversion to go up seven. Following a pair of stops, the Glenville State offense started moving down the field and sniffed the redzone. Back-to-back incompletions put an end to the day, with Fairmont State regaining The Bit, 31-24.
Final Stats
Fairmont State
Nino Marzullo threw for 277 yards and three touchdowns on 21-of-28 passing while rushing for 36 yards and a score on the ground. Ralo Wesley caught four passes for 100 yards and one touchdown with James Borbor and Cole Vonkaenel also notching a TD. Nick Longo (10 tackles) and Jeffery Polk (nine tackles) led the defensive charge.
Glenville State
JD Sherrod went 17-for-30 and 241 yards through the air with three touchdowns on the ground and 87 rushing yards. Joziah Gonzalez caught five passes for 102 yards and Caden Harris added eight catches and 66 yards offensively. Braden Boggs was all over the place, leading the way with nine tackles. Donovan Williams had seven tackles and a team-leading 1.5 TFL.
Up Next For The Pioneers
The Pioneers are finally back inside Ike & Sue Morris Stadium next Saturday (Oct. 10) to take on Frostburg State. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on Hall of Fame Weekend.
Scoring Summary
| 1st Quarter | GSU | FAI |
|---|---|---|
 12:44 – FAI – Wesley,Ralo 42 yd pass from Marzullo,Nino (Richardson,Emmanuel kick) 7 plays, 67 yards, TOP 02:08 | 0 | 7 |
| 08:40 – FAI – 0 yd safety | 0 | 9 |
| 06:33 – FAI – Vonkaenel,Cole 9 yd pass from Marzullo,Nino (Richardson,Emmanuel kick) 4 plays, 18 yards, TOP 01:57 | 0 | 16 |
 00:24 – GSU – Sherrod,JD 9 yd run (Layman,Brody kick), 11 plays, 74 yards, TOP 06:04 | 7 | 16 |
| 2nd Quarter | GSU | FAI |
| 11:53 – FAI – Borbor,James 10 yd pass from Marzullo,Nino (Richardson,Emmanuel kick) 7 plays, 69 yards, TOP 03:26 | 7 | 23 |
| 07:51 – GSU – Sherrod,JD 17 yd run (Layman,Brody kick), 8 plays, 83 yards, TOP 03:55 | 14 | 23 |
| 00:13 – GSU – Layman,Brody 20 yd field goal 9 plays, 81 yards, TOP 02:25 | 17 | 23 |
| 3rd Quarter | GSU | FAI |
| 00:29 – GSU – Sherrod,JD 3 yd run (Layman,Brody kick), 4 plays, 13 yards, TOP 01:57 | 24 | 23 |
| 4th Quarter | GSU | FAI |
| 11:55 – FAI – Marzullo,Nino 1 yd run (Thomas Jr,Chico pass), 8 plays, 92 yards, TOP 03:25 | 24 | 31 |
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