CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The University of Charleston football team was unable to capitalize on a 127 yard rushing performance from Jordan Roberts as Urbana gained 440 total yards in a 31-17 win over the Golden Eagles, Saturday afternoon at UC Stadium.
Charleston struggled to find yards on offense against tough Blue Knight defense as the Golden Eagles managed just 12 first downs to UU's 21. The inability of the offense to sustain drives allowed Urbana to grind down a stronger UC defense by dominating ball possession 35:29 to just 24:24.
The Golden Eagles (0-2) struck first in the contest as Puma Nuredini nailed a 26-yard field goal with just over five minutes remaining in the opening quarter for the early 3-0 advantage capping an 11 play, 54 yard drive. Urbana bounced back to end the first quarter with a score of their own as a great kickoff return after the Charleston field goal setup a 48 yard drive that ended with a one yard dive into the endzone for David Hill wipping out the only lead UC would see on the day.
UU marked the only tallies in the second quarter as they score 10 points in the period on a DJ Mendenhall run followed by a 27-yard field goal by Marshall Newsome to take a 17-3 lead into the locker room at half. Mendenhall paced the Blue Knights offensively as he was the teams leading rusher with 79 yards, while tossing for 99 yards.
To open the second half, Charleston looked to ride the shoulders of the powerful running Roberts as he took over as a kick returner as another chance to give the explosive back a chance to make plays. Roberts delivered on the opening kickoff of the half to hand UC a short field, which he would use himself to pull the Golden Eagles within a touchdown. Roberts ended the 36-yard drive with an 11-yard scramble into the endzone just two and a half minutes after halftime.
Urbana scored the next two touchdowns on short runs after sustained drives to end the third quarter with a comfortable 31-10 advantage. Charleston made a final push in the fourth as Roberts again took the team on his back scoring from 31-yards out on a lightning quick one minute drive to open the quarter. UC followed the Roberts touchdown with a great defensive effort with continual pressure on Mendenhall forcing a quick three and out. On their next possession the Golden Eagles looked to get within a touchdown and have a chance for a great comeback in the home opener before a fumble at the goalline was recovered by the Blue Knight all but sealing the victory of the visitors.
UC was unable to recover from the momemtum lost on the fumble as Urbana grinded down the clock with its final possession to set the score at 31-17.
Maurice Leak led the air attack for UC with 167 yards on 15-of-22 passing, while scrambling for 40 yards on the ground. On defense, Aaron Dunlap paced Charleston for the second week in a row with an 11 tackle effort that included three tackles for a loss. Hassan Coleman provided plenty of support from his cornerback position with 11 tackles, while also accumulating a sack and a tackle for a loss on the afternoon.
The University of Charleston will try to rebound with their conference opener at home on Sept. 17 against Concord at 1:00 pm at UC Stadium. The game is being sponsored by Fas-Chek Supermarkets where free tickets will be available all week leading up to the game.
