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WEST LIBERTY -- Riding a six-game winning streak and sitting atop the Mountain East Conference standings, the West Liberty University football team travels to Glenville State Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. matchup during the Pioneers' Homecoming at the Morris Family Health & Fitness Complex.
The Hilltoppers enter at 6-1 overall and 4-0 in MEC play after a 41-21 Homecoming victory over West Virginia Wesleyan. The six-win start is West Liberty's best since 2009, and the team is ranked fifth in Super Region 1 in the first 2026 NCAA Division II Football Power Index release.
Head coach Chad Salisbury knows the Hilltoppers cannot afford to be distracted by their recent success or Glenville State's record. The Pioneers enter at 1-6 overall and 0-4 in conference play but gave Concord a tough test in a 34-31 loss last Saturday.
"Nothing really changes for us," Salisbury said. "Every day, the focus needs to stay on us. All you have to do is watch the film and see how talented they are. They're a very talented team, a lot of good players."
Salisbury also emphasized the challenges of the road trip, which includes an early departure and the adjustments that come with playing away from home during Glenville State's Homecoming.
"It'll be the most difficult trip we've had, just because of the distance in the morning," Salisbury said. "Every possible distraction you can have, we have it. So it's got to be about us."
West Liberty's offense continues to be powered by senior running back Hunter Patterson, who made program history against West Virginia Wesleyan with a school-record 359 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries. He broke the previous record of 348 yards set by Derrick Stickles against West Virginia State on Nov. 8, 2003.
Patterson also became West Liberty's all-time career leader in touchdowns, with 52, and points scored, with 314. He was named both the MEC and D2Football.com Offensive Player of the Week following the performance.
Patterson ranks second in NCAA Division II with 1,353 rushing yards, averaging 193.3 per game, and leads the nation in all-purpose yards at 1,668. He has scored 14 rushing touchdowns and 19 total touchdowns through seven games.
The Hilltoppers average 35.0 points and 410.3 yards of total offense per game, including 216.6 rushing yards per contest. Junior quarterback Kohl Meisman has completed 66.5% of his passes, totaling 1,314 yards and 15 touchdowns with just three interceptions.
Salisbury has been encouraged by Meisman's growth and willingness to trust his teammates rather than force plays.
"I think Kohl has more confidence in his teammates right now," Salisbury said. "He's starting to understand that he doesn't have to make the big play. We do not want to have a make-a-play mentality around here. We want to make the proper play."
Glenville State presents a challenge through the air. The Pioneers average 304.4 yards of total offense per game, including 230.3 passing yards. Quarterback JD Sherrod has thrown for 1,214 yards and eight touchdowns, while Caden Harris leads the receiving corps with 43 catches for 423 yards. Kyree Bunny has added 344 receiving yards and a team-high five touchdown receptions.
West Liberty leads the all-time series against Glenville State, 47-35-4, though the Pioneers have won the last two meetings, including a 32-28 decision in 2025.
As the Hilltoppers look to extend their winning streak and remain unbeaten in conference play, Salisbury said the focus remains on building a program that can sustain success.
"I want this program to be healthy for a long, long time," Salisbury said. "I would like the wins to continue this year, but we're building the program, and that's the most important thing."
Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Glenville, West Virginia.