Box Score
WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The University of Charleston broke open a tight defensive struggle with three third-quarter scores and pulled away to a 26-9 victory against West Liberty in the first night game at historic Russek Field.
Clinging to a 7-6 lead at halftime, the Golden Eagles (5-4, 5-2) marched 67 yards in 5 plays for a touchdown – highlighted by TB Leighton Settle's 50-yard run – on their first possession of the second half and took advantage of two Hilltopper (3-6, 3-4) miscues to pad the margin.
West Liberty's kick returner slipped and fell while fielding the ensuing kickoff at his own 8 and, following a 3-and-out by the WLU offense, an 11-yard punt gave the ball back to UC at the West Liberty 22. Charleston couldn't punch the ball into the end zone against a gritty Hilltopper defense, settling for a 29-yard Puma Nuredini field goal and a 16-6 lead.
The Hilltopper defense came up big again after a Golden Eagle interception by Ike Gibson at the WLU 25, snuffing out the scoring chance with a fumble recovery, but another 3-and-out by the West Liberty offense gave the ball back to UC at the WLU 46 and another Nuredini field goal made it 19-6 heading into the fourth quarter.
West Liberty's best shot at getting back in the contest came on the next possession as the Hilltoppers marched all the way from their own 20 into the UC red zone. The drive stalled on third-and-11 from the UC 13 when the Eagles sacked QB Dylan Lagard all the way back at the 31.
Bryan Arbes came on to boom his third field goal of the night through the pipes from 48 yards out – setting a school record with his 15th 3-pointer of the season – but it wasn't enough. Charleston's John Knox threw a 20-yard TD pass to Josef Hinnant to wrap up the scoring with just 3:17 to play.
The ground-oriented Eagles ran the ball 51 times for 229 yards with Settle's 12 carries for 105 yards leading the way. Knox added 82 yards on 23 carries, primarily out of the wildcat formation, but also completed 5-of-7 passes for 40 yards and a score. Davon Henry, who opened the scoring by catching a 17-yard TD pass from Maurice Leak in the first quarter, led the UC receiving corps with 4 catches for 35 yards.
Lagarde completed 18-of-43 passes for 159 yards with Dylan Potts' 7 catches for 50 yards leading all receivers. Marty Bishop led the West Liberty rushing attack with 18 carries for 59 yards.
Charleston returns to action next Saturday, Nov. 9 to host Fairmont State in a 1:00pm kickoff. The Golden Eagles will celebrate Senior Day and honor those players completing their UC career on the gridiron.
