FAIRMONT, W.Va. - - Fairmont State University ended a five-game losing streak with a 47-44 come from behind victory over UVa-Wise at Duvall-Rosier Field in the season finale for both schools on Saturday.  Trailing 44-40 with less than a minute to play, the Falcons' Tyler Pate came off the bench to replace an injured Cooper Hibbs on a fourth and goal play from the three yard line.  Pate would complete his only pass attempt of the game, a touchdown pass to Nick Alvaro to complete the comeback.

UVa-Wise (2-9, 2-7 MEC) jumped out to an early 7-0 lead as the visitors received the opening kickoff and marched 68 yards on nine plays in 4:38.  The scoring drive concluded on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Cullen LaVoi to James Long and extra point from Paul Melshen.  Long broke the single-season all-purpose yardage record on the game's opening kickoff.  He would finish the game with 355 all-purpose yards to set the new record at 2,304 yards.

The score would remain 7-0 until the second quarter when Fairmont State's (3-7, 2-7 MEC) Daniel Monroe capped off a 15-play, 65-yard scoring drive with a 16 yard scamper.  Johnny Dearstine added the extra point to knot the game at seven with 14:26 to play in the half.  Following a punt by the Cavaliers, the Falcons would take the lead as Monroe scored his second touchdown of the game and Dearstine's point after put the host in front 14-7.

UVa-Wise would respond and tie the game on LaVoi's second touchdown pass of the game; again he found James Long, this time from 13 yards out.  Melshen made his second point after of the game to tie the score at 14 with 4:55 to play in the half.

The final 80 seconds of the half would feature 11 points, nine of which would be scored by Fairmont State.  Monroe scored his third rushing touchdown of the half on a one yard rush giving the Falcons a 20-14 lead.  The extra point would never reach the goal posts as UVa-Wise blocked the attempt and Jeff Parker recovered the block and raced 98 yards for two points to cut the lead to 20-16.  The Cavs would be unable to move the ball and would be forced to punt after three plays on the next possesion, giving the Falcons time to march down the field and attempt a field goal.  Dearstine would connect on the 19-yard attempt to send the teams to intermission with Fairmont State in front 23-16.

In the third quarter, UVa-Wise would score again on special teams, this time on a forced fumble off a punt that would be recovered by Josh Townsend in the end zone.  Melshen's point after try was good and the score was again tied, this time at 23 with 11:54 to play in the third quarter.

One possession later, the Falcons regained the advantage as Hibbs hooked up with Alvaro on a 12-yard scoring strike to finish off an eight-play, 75-yard drive.  Dearstine added the extra point to give Fairmont State a seven point lead with 8:49 remaining in the third quarter.

After a stalled Cavalier possession, the Falcons would take the largest lead either team would have in the contest as Hibbs fired his second touchdown pass of the day, a 12-yard score to Fabian Guerra.  The subsequent kick from Dearstine made it 37-23 with 4:27 left in the third quarter.

Using LaVoi's arm the Cavs moved down the field to get back in the contest.  On the drive, Long hauled in three passes while Terrence Younger and Gil Lusk each caught a pass before tailback Zach Cochran scored from two yards out.  The extra point by Melshen cut the deficit to seven with over 14 minutes to play in the game.

Dearstine would boot a 33-yard field goal on the next possession to give the Falcons a two-score lead.  The 10 point advantage would be short lived as Long took the ensuing kickoff 91 yards to the Fairmont State one-yard line.  Two plays later, Sean Atkins scored and Melshen added the kick to make the score 40-37. 

After forcing a punt, the Cavs took the lead for the first time since the first quarter as LaVoi found Younger from 10 yards out to complete a seven-play, 87-yard drive.  The extra point gave UVa-Wise a 44-40 lead with just under four minutes to play.

The offensive fireworks continued as the Falcons would move the ball 78 yards on 11 plays while consuming 3:08 off the clock to score what would prove to be the game-winning touchdown.  The fourth down touchdown pass was the second fourth down conversion of the drive for Fairmont State.

UVa-Wise would get one final crack at either winning the game or forcing overtime but, a desperation hail marry on the last play of the game was picked off.

LaVoi finished the game 24-45 with 345 yards and three touchdowns, while Long caught nine passes for 187 yards and two scores.  Long finishes his senior season as the single-season record holder for receptions, receptions per game, receiving yards per game, receiving yards, all-purpose yards, all-purpose yards per game, kick return yards, and average yards per catch.  The senior also finishes his career ranked in the top five of numerous career categories at the school. 

Cochran caught a career-high nine passes for 83 yards while Younger added two receptions for 33 yards and a score.   On defense, T'ontray Billups had a career-high 16 tackles and teammate Timmy Meador had a career-high 14 stops in the loss.

As a team, Fairmont State ran the ball 52 times for 215 yards; Dawrence Roberts rushed the ball 21 times for 103 yards in the win.  Through the air, Hibbs passed for 309 yards on 19 completions as eight different Falcons caught passes.