Box Score
FAIRMONT, W.Va. - The University of Charleston defense held Fairmont State to just 250 yards of total offense, but managed just 204 yards of their own in a tough battle where the Fighting Falcons prevailed late 19-14, Saturday afternoon.
FSU (4-1, 2-1) grabbed the lead early with a Frank Keenan 39-yard field goal nine minutes into the opening quarter as both offenses struggled against the rainy conditions at Duvall-Rosier Field in Fairmont. The Fighting Falcons rounded out the scoring for the first quarter as All-WVIAC quarterback Logan Moore hooked up with Matt Wilmer for a 12-yard score extending the home team's lead to 10-0.
The Golden Eagle (0-5, 0-3) defense stepped up to the challenge in the second quarter to nearly remove FSU's air threat from the game. Using the momentum the defense captured with back-to-back three and outs the UC offense found a groove with its first scoring drive that went 63-yard on nine plays. Jordan Roberts capped the long four minute drive with a two-yard touchdown reception from Maurice Leak to cut the Fairmont State lead to 10-7.
The teams then traded possessions before Charleston grabbed its first lead of the contest with just 46 seconds remaining before half. The second scoring drive was the exact opposite of the first as it elapsed just 42 seconds of game clock with Leak finding Derrick Taylor from 12-yards out for a 14-10 advantage headed into the break.
Keenen was responsible for the only score in the third quarter as the Charleston defense continued to repel the offensive attack of Moore and the WVIAC's second leading rusher Daniel Monroe. Fairmont State pulled within 14-13 on Keenan's 31-yard boot.
The fourth quarter brought excitement as Fairmont went to the system that had found success this season with Monroe carrying the ball four consecutive times after a Matt Wilmer punt return gave the Fighting Falcons a short field. The final carry for Monroe ended in the endzone for what would become the game winning touchdown with 12:28 left in the game.
UC's offense responded with a sustained 10 play drive that seemed to breath new life into the Charleston attack, but the Golden Eagles were unable to put points on the board as Puma Nuredini missed a 34-yard field goal wide left. Both teams traded two three and out possessions before Leak tossed a desperation heave with seven seconds remaining that was intercepted allowing the home team to secure the victory.
Moore was held to just 61-yards passing by the Golden Eagle defense. Moore was averaging 183.0 passing per game coming into the game. Charleston was led by Leak who accumulated 75-yards rushing and 53-yards passing with two touchdowns, while Roberts ran for 53 yard with the receiving touchdown.
The University of Charleston continues its four-game road trip next week at Seton Hill.
