Edinboro, Pa. – A second half comeback bid came up just short as the Edinboro football team dropped a 35-30 non-conference decision to visiting Fairmont State Saturday afternoon inside Sox Harrison Stadium.
 
The Scots trailed 21-6 heading into the half and received the second half kickoff. DaeDae Allen returned that kickoff 34 yards to set the Scots up first and 10 at their own 40. Caron Robinson opened the drive with a six-yard run then tore off 42 more on the ground, moving the ball to Fairmont State 12. Nico Marchitelli completed a short pass to Clayton Bezon who rumbled to the Falcon 4-yard line. Robinson capped off the drive with a four-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 21-13 with 12:28 left in the third quarter.
 
After the Edinboro defense forced a punt, the Scots took over at their own 23. Facing a third and eight, Marchitelli rushed for 14 yards to earn a first down at the Scot 39-yard line. Marchitelli hit Allen for 17-yards on third and seven to move the chains and a personal foul on Fairmont advanced the ball to the Falcon 26-yard line. Marchitelli found Junior Aderomilhein to move the ball to the Fairmont State 12, but the drive stalled out and Tanner Bruzda connected on a 30-yard field goal trimming the lead to 21-16 with 6:11 left in the third.
 
The Scot defense stopped the Falcons again forcing a turnover on downs at the Edinboro 35. Edinboro marched the ball down the field going 65 yards in 11 plays capped by a six yard touchdown pass from Marchitelli to Jeremiah Neeley. The two-point conversion was good and the Scots held their first lead of the day 24-21 with 12:08 to play in the contest.
 
The lead was short lived as Leonard Farrow broke away for an 86-yard touchdown run on the first play of the ensuing Falcon possession putting Fairmont back ahead 28-24 with 11:53 remaining.
 
The Falcons extended their lead on an eight-yard scramble from quarterback Nino Marzullo capping a four-play, 45-yard drive to make it 35-24 with 8:17 to play.
 
Edinboro cut into the lead when Marchitelli capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run. The two-point play was unsuccessful making the score 35-30. The Edinboro defense got a stop to get the ball back, but the punt was muffed and Fairmont State recovered to hold on for the win.
 
The Falcons took the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards in eight plays capped by a Marzullo two-yard touchdown run to grab a 7-0 lead with 12:01 showing on the first quarter clock. The Scots moved the ball 41-yards in nine plays before the drive stalled and Bruzda connected on a 32-yard field goal to cut the lead to 7-3 at the 7:53 mark of the first.
 
Marzullo pushed the advantage to 14-3 with his second touchdown run of the game at the 3:32 mark of the first quarter. Bruzda hit his second field goal of the game this time a 30-yarder to cut the lead to 14-6 at the 9:31 mark of the second. Fred Highsmith caught a nine-yard touchdown pass with 1:20 remaining in the first half to send the teams to the break with Fairmont up 21-6.
 
Marchitelli was 20-of-37 for 192 yards and a score while rushing for 46 more and a touchdown. Caron Robinson carried the ball 16 times for 88 yards and a score. Neeley was the top receiver with five catches for 54 yards and the touchdown.
 
Defensively, Ty Reali led the way with nine tackles. Amari Jones and Nick Pennucci each added six stops. Daunte White recorded five stops and forced a fumble.
 
The Scots return to PSAC West action on Saturday when they travel to Gannon for a noon kickoff against the Golden Knights.