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URBANA, Ohio – Urbana University Blue Knights went 94 yards in the final three minutes to steal a win from University of Charleston, 24-21, Saturday afternoon in the 2013 Mountain East Conference season finale at Urbana University Stadium.
The Golden Eagles found themselves down early after Urbana took their opening possession 80 yards for a score on the legs of Blue Knight quarterback D.J. Mendenhall who rushed in from five yards out to give Urbana a 6-0 first quarter lead. Charleston had back-to-back empty possessions before allowing the Blue Knights to add a 21-yard Blaine Hafner field goal after UC came up with a goal line stand to give Urbana a 9-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Urbana's defense again stalled out the UC offense to start the second quarter while Mendenhall led the Blue Knights to another three points on their first opportunity of the quarter to extend the lead to 12-0 for Urbana. Charleston finally gained some momentum after a Nate Berry interception of Mendenhall deep in Blue Knight territory at the 5:24 mark of the second quarter. UC took advantage of the short field and marched 31 yards on five plays capped off by a 16-yard touchdown reception by Davon Henry from John Knox to get within five points, 12-7 before the half ended.
After holding Urbana scoreless on their first drive of the third quarter, Charleston grabbed a 14-12 lead on a Knox 6-yard pass to CJ Stallworth out of the backfield. The 14-play drive went 80 yards and took over eight minutes as Knox, Stallworth and Leighton Settle churned out five first downs in the possession. Charleston would carry the two point lead heading into the final quarter of the 2013 season.
Urbana quickly took the lead back from the Golden Eagles scoring from 24-yards out on a Mendenhall pass to Marc Johnson just two plays into the quarter. The Blue Knights were unsuccessful in their two-point attempt but held an 18-14 lead. Charleston had an answer for the Blue Knight score, posting a touchdown on another extended drive. This time Knox used his legs instead of his arm to lift UC to a 21-18 lead, scoring from 1-yard out after going 68 yards on 15 plays.
UC's defense held Urbana on the ensuing possession, forcing a Blue Knight punt that pinned the Golden Eagles inside their own 10 at the 6-yard line with 5:20 showing on the game clock. Charleston had a chance to run out the clock with a few first downs and seemed to be on their way in doing so but the Golden Eagles were called for a questionable holding call that forced a third and long which UC couldn't convert. Charleston punter hit a bomb of a kick that covered 69 yards, pinning the Blue Knights down at their own 6-yard line.
Urbana, trailing by three 21-18, took over possession with 2:36 remaining needing a field goal to tie or touchdown to win. Another questionable call aided the Blue Knights on the first play as Charleston was whistled for a late hit personal foul that got Urbana out of their own end zone. Mendenhall then connected on seven straight pass attempts with the last one being a 9-yard TD pass to Hill for the 24-21 lead and only 23 seconds remaining.
UC attempted a hailmary from their own 41 yard line at the horn but Knox was intercepted at the goal line and UC dropped their final contest of the season.
Knox led all rushers with 117 yards on 31 attempts and a touchdown. He also completed 12 of his 20 pass attempts for 104 yards and two TD's. For Urbana, Mendenhall was his usual self completing 25 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns. Charleston was outgained by 100 yards but held the time of possession battle by 11 minutes.
The loss dropped Charleston to 6-5 on the season and 6-3 in the inaugural year of the Mountain East Conference. Urbana improved to 7-2 in the MEC and 7-4 overall.