Box Score

WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - The University of Charleston defense held West Liberty to just 176 yards of total offense in a 27-14 victory in West Virginia Conference football action, Saturday afternoon.

Puma Nuredini (Naples, FL) showed why he was ranked amongst the best kickers in NCAA Division II by putting the Golden Eagles ahead 6-0 as the only points in the opening half of the contest. Nuredini drilled his first attempt against a tough 25-30 mph wind from 46 yards out, while tacking the second chipshot on from 20 yards, each coming in the first quarter.

After halftime, the University of Charleston went to its steady ground game led by Jordan Roberts (Madison, WV). The teams traded two possessions to open the third quarter before West Liberty put the Charleston offense on its own six yard line facing a relentless Hilltopper rush. In the shadow of their own endzone backup quarterback John Knox (Salisbury,NC) and Roberts responded.

Knox created space to work for the UC offense with an eight yard rush followed by a completition to Ryan Foster, which opened up the middle of the field for Roberts to work. The nations third-best all-purpose runner responded by blasting through the Hilltopper defensive line before finding nothing but open turf in front of him. When the play ended Roberts had added 82 yards and six points to his box score total bringing the Golden Eagle lead to 13-0.

On the next West Liberty possession the Golden Eagles opened up their blitz book to make Hilltopper quarterback Dylan Lagarde operate under a great deal of distress. The game plan worked in flustering his efforts by the air leading to an interception by Andrew Okokhere (Houston,TX), but the play never developed as Charleston coach Pat Kirkland would like.  Okokhere was tackled from behind forcing a fumble that took one hop off the turf  before Hilltopper Isiah Moody scooped it up on a dead sprint which didn't end until he pulled the home team within 13-7.

Surging receiver Shaq Williams (Charleston,WV) got involved in the offense to setup the first score of the fourth quarter. After a long Knox to Roberts completion was brought back due to a holding penalty Williams stepped in to retake the lost yardage. On a 3rd and 13 play Knox found Williams for a 24 yard gain, which was the combined with a facemask penalty by WLU to put the ball on home 12 yard line. Two plays later Roberts gave UC breathing room with a seven yard touchdown run to make the score 20-7.

West Liberty got their final points on an Isiah Moody run into the endzone with just over eight minutes remaining to play. The comeback attempt was short lived though as Knox slipped past the Hilltopper defense for a 22 yard game-sealing touchdown run, yet it capped a 12 play drive that ate almost five minutes of game clock.

The Golden Eagle defense forced four-straight incomplete passes to end the Hilltopper's final drive, allowing UC to take the victory formation to mark the win on the schedule.

Roberts paced Charleston offensively with 180 rushing yards on 24 attempts leading to two touchdowns. Knox and starter Maurice Leak (Waxhax, NC) combined for 151 passing yards in the victory.

Defensively Matt Kelly (Cincinnati, OH) led the University of Charleston with nine tackles including a sack. Overall the UC defense allowed Lagarde to complete only 10-of-25 pass attempts, while booking two interceptions on the afternoon. A difference maker for the contest came on third down where the Golden Eagles held strong all day with West Liberty converting only 1-of-13 third down efforts.

Charleston looks to continue to stay on the winning track with their third-consecutive road game next Saturday, Oct. 27 at Glenville State with kickoff set for 1:00 pm.