WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — Coming off a close call last weekend on home turf, West Liberty looks to bounce back against Fairmont State in a Mountain East Conference (MEC) matchup at West Family Stadium.

The Hilltoppers are aiming to correct last week’s mistakes and defend their home field after a hard-fought 32-28 loss to Glenville State. Fairmont State enters this week’s contest following a 45-35 loss to the University of Charleston.

This matchup comes at a pivotal point in the conference schedule as both teams look to climb the MEC standings with the season nearing its end. With both programs coming off losses, neither can afford to add another setback — especially in a conference game that could impact postseason positioning. West Liberty will need to sharpen its rushing attack, passing game and blocking schemes to break through Fairmont State’s defense and secure a victory in front of the home crowd.

Fairmont State has had a balanced season so far, entering the game with a 4-4 record. However, the Falcons sit at 1-4 in MEC play, trailing the Hilltoppers’ 2-3 conference mark. With each game carrying more weight down the stretch, both teams will be eager to capitalize on this late-season opportunity.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at West Family Stadium.