INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- Charleston controlled the game on offense and smothered West Virginia State on defense to defeat its cross-town rival, 31-9, on Saturday afternoon at Lakin Field.

The Golden Eagles (4-3, 4-1 MEC) were led by Maurice Leak who was 20-of-28 for 221 yards and four touchdown passes. John Knox was on the other end of two of those passes and finished the game with 75 yards receiving. UC used a committee of running backs to pile up 193 yards on the ground.

Tucker Schaefer led the Charleston defense with six tackles, including three solo stops for a loss.

After a scoreless first quarter, UC scored 24 unanswered points spanning the second and third quarter to distance itself from West Virginia State and go on to the lopsided victory.

WVSU was led by Tyler Seals who was 16-of-28 for 155 yards.