West Virginia State has dealt with unprecedented success this season on the gridiron. Now, following a heartbreaking defeat and an injury to one of their most dynamic players, the Yellow Jackets are dealing with the return of an all-too familiar foe - adversity.

The Jackets (5-1 overall, 3-1 West Virginia Conference) will be looking to bounce back today when West Liberty (4-3, 3-1) visits Lakin Field for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

"We always say after a loss, don't let the team beat you twice," said State coach Earl Monroe. "We talked about that on Sunday. Hopefully we don't have anybody still dwelling on that [loss]."

Last week's 35-28 loss to Seton Hill was an especially difficult one to swallow for a number of reasons, the most obvious being how the game was decided - on Antwarn Jones' 10-yard touchdown run with 10 seconds to play. Statistically, the game was essentially a draw, with Seton Hill owning a 459-443 advantage in total yards and both teams turning the ball over three times.

"It hurt," said Monroe. "It was such a tough loss because we had a chance to win the football game. [Seton Hill] executed well, there's no question about it. We had some key turnovers, some key penalties. Those are things we have to correct. We missed some tackles a couple times on third down. It wasn't a lot of things we did terrible, they just out-executed us down the stretch."

The scoreboard wasn't the only place where the Jackets were hurting following the loss. Running back Brian Mitchell suffered what Monroe called a "high ankle sprain" during the second half against the Griffins and spent the early part of the week on crutches. He is likely out for today's game against the Hilltoppers.

"We've got some guys banged up a little bit," said Monroe. "[Mitchell's] day-to-day, but it doesn't look great for him playing. I don't know how he got rolled or turned on it, but he didn't feel anything major pop or snap. He's not running, hasn't taken any snaps. Even if you're optimistic, I'd say the chances of him playing are pretty slim."

The speedy Mitchell has rushed for 847 yards and 10 touchdowns on 109 carries and his 141.2 rushing average is fifth in Division II. Monroe acknowledges that replacing Mitchell's production in the offense is no small task.

"We've got good running backs, no doubt about it, but his speed ... he's probably one of the fastest guys on our team," Monroe said. "Those long runs that he may break, we'll have to be a little more methodical."

Fabian Payne, a South Charleston graduate, has been Mitchell's primary backup. The freshman has carried 59 times for 215 yards and five TDs.

West Virginia State has dealt with unprecedented success this season on the gridiron. Now, following a heartbreaking defeat and an injury to one of their most dynamic players, the Yellow Jackets are dealing with the return of an all-too familiar foe - adversity.

The Jackets (5-1 overall, 3-1 West Virginia Conference) will be looking to bounce back today when West Liberty (4-3, 3-1) visits Lakin Field for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

"We always say after a loss, don't let the team beat you twice," said State coach Earl Monroe. "We talked about that on Sunday. Hopefully we don't have anybody still dwelling on that [loss]."

Last week's 35-28 loss to Seton Hill was an especially difficult one to swallow for a number of reasons, the most obvious being how the game was decided - on Antwarn Jones' 10-yard touchdown run with 10 seconds to play. Statistically, the game was essentially a draw, with Seton Hill owning a 459-443 advantage in total yards and both teams turning the ball over three times.

"It hurt," said Monroe. "It was such a tough loss because we had a chance to win the football game. [Seton Hill] executed well, there's no question about it. We had some key turnovers, some key penalties. Those are things we have to correct. We missed some tackles a couple times on third down. It wasn't a lot of things we did terrible, they just out-executed us down the stretch."

The scoreboard wasn't the only place where the Jackets were hurting following the loss. Running back Brian Mitchell suffered what Monroe called a "high ankle sprain" during the second half against the Griffins and spent the early part of the week on crutches. He is likely out for today's game against the Hilltoppers.

"We've got some guys banged up a little bit," said Monroe. "[Mitchell's] day-to-day, but it doesn't look great for him playing. I don't know how he got rolled or turned on it, but he didn't feel anything major pop or snap. He's not running, hasn't taken any snaps. Even if you're optimistic, I'd say the chances of him playing are pretty slim."

The speedy Mitchell has rushed for 847 yards and 10 touchdowns on 109 carries and his 141.2 rushing average is fifth in Division II. Monroe acknowledges that replacing Mitchell's production in the offense is no small task.

"We've got good running backs, no doubt about it, but his speed ... he's probably one of the fastest guys on our team," Monroe said. "Those long runs that he may break, we'll have to be a little more methodical."

Fabian Payne, a South Charleston graduate, has been Mitchell's primary backup. The freshman has carried 59 times for 215 yards and five TDs.

"Fabian Payne will probably take the load of the carries," said Monroe. "He's a bigger, bruiser-type [back], a totally different style. He's able to run over you. We still have to establish the run game to help out the passing game. You have to stay as balanced as you can."

State quarterback Kevin O'Brien has been among the best in the conference, completing nearly 63 percent of his passes for 1,524 yards and 11 touchdowns. He leads the WVC in pass efficiency rating at 152.5 and trails only West Liberty's Zach Amedro in passing yards per game.

Amedro, the WVC's leader in total offense, has completed 103-of-168 pass attempts for 1,572 yards and eight TDs. The Hilltoppers also feature former Virginia Tech running back Branden Ore, who is among conference rushing leaders with 132.3 yards per game and a league-best 13 touchdowns.

While neither team controls its destiny with regard to the conference title, both can remain in contention for at least a share of the championship with a victory today.

That fact, Monroe said, was driven home to his team as soon as last week's game was over.

"Saturday before we left [Seton Hill], the guys were pretty dejected and I knew I had to set the tone for the week," Monroe said. "So the first time I told them was we're still in this race. It's not over by far. We're still in the top 10 in the region and if anybody falters in that top 10, we move up.

"I'm certainly a UC fan this week. I think a lot of teams are. Hopefully we can get this thing logjammed back up and take care of our business. It's still a tall order, especially when you let a game slip through your fingers. We still need to win out, that's our plan."

Following today's game, the Jackets travel to Glenville State then close out the season at home against Shepherd and West Virginia Wesleyan.

Reach Jeff Rider at 348-5122 or jri...@wvgazette.com.