WISE - - Two teams that have already exceeded preseason expectations meet up in a pivotal Mountain East Conference contest at Carl Smith Stadium Saturday. Fairmont State University enters off to its best start (7-0) since winning the NAIA National Title in 1967. UVa-Wise (5-2) has already matched its win total from the previous three seasons combined. Neither school was picked to finish in the top four when the MEC held its annual media day in August.

The Fighting Falcons are in search of their first playoff appearance since 1988 and conference title since 2000. Fourth-year Head Coach Jason Woodman has used his defense to jump out to the undefeated start. Fairmont State leads the league in scoring defense (12.4 ppg), rusing defense (90.3 ypg) and interceptions (15). Additionally, the 12.4 ppg allowed ranks second in Super Region I and fifth nationally Thus far, no opponent has scored more than 20 points and only one (West Virginia State) has passed for more than 225 yards against the Falcons.  Defensive linemen Quincy Redmon (8) and Josh Ballard (4) are both top ten in the MEC in sacks while Stephen Turner's four interceptions rank second in the conference.

While defense is Fairmont State's calling card, the team possesses one of the more dynamic quarterback - wide receiver combinations in the league in seniors Cooper Hibbs and Fabian Guerra. Hibbs has passed for 1,833 yards and 10 touchdowns while completing over 69 percent of his passes. Guerra has caught 49 passes for 610 yards and five scores. Last season, Guerra was a second-team all-league honoree after catching 62 passes for 819 yards and six TDs.

Each week it seems as if UVa-Wise has a cast of players lead the team to victory. Linebacker Zachary Blair, defensive back Ed Kargo and placekicker Trent Martin have all earned MEC Player of the Week honors during the team's current four-game winning streak. Last week, Kargbo and freshman Will Clift intercepted a pass, Blair and Clift blocked a potential game-winning field goal, junior Carlton Griffith gained a career-high 156 yards and tight end Jake Barnett had the most receptions of any Cavalier this season with nine.

To gain its sixth victory and secure the program's first winning season since 2008, UVa-Wise will have to tighten up its special teams play. West Liberty blocked a kick and returned another for a touchdown last week. Meanwhile, UVa-Wise had three separate players punt.

The home team has won each game in the three previous meetings between Fairmont State and UVa-Wise. The average point total of the winning team in the series is 37.3 points. Last year, the Falcons scored a 41-32 home victory thanks to five forced turnovers.

Next Saturday, UVa-Wise visits Urbana University while Fairmont State returns home to face Notre Dame College in a Thursday night tilt.