CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The University of Charleston snapped its two-game losing streak with a 28-10 victory over cross-town rival West Virginia State in the Frontier Communications Kanawha Classic.

The Golden Eagles improved to 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the MEC. The Yellow Jackets dropped to 2-5 overall and 1-5 in the conference.

UC took an early 7-0 lead over the visiting Yellow Jackets after a Jermaine Kelly 10 yard TD rush that capped off a 13-play, 68 yard drive midway throw the first quarter.

The Golden Eagles added two touchdowns in the second period, one on a Nick Passodelis touchdown reception from Kelly from five yards out, then special teams ace Torie Wagner returned a WV State punt 59 yards to give UC a 21-0 lead.  The Yellow Jackets finally got on the scoreboard just before half with a 28-yard field goal by Kole Patterson to cut the Golden Eagle lead to 21-3 going into halftime.

Both Charleston and WV State struggled to get any offense going the entire second half, but UC struck first midway through the third when Kelly found a cutting Joey Augustin in the middle of the endzone from three yards away that have the Golden Eagles its biggest lead of the night at 28-3. 

The game remained unchanged until late in the fourth quarter when the Yellow Jackets finally found the endzone with 1:47 left on the clock to make the score 28-10.  UC would recover the onside kick and run out the clock to give Charleston the win in the first edition of the Kanawha Classic.

Jermaine Kelly was 14-of-23 for 171 yards and two touchdowns passing, and added 79 yards rushing and another score to lead UC. Torie Wagner starred on defense and special teams picking off two passes in the game and also returning his second punt for a touchdown this season with a 59-yard scamper in the second quarter.

Justin Avery helped lead the Golden Golden Eagle defense that allowed just 50 yards rushing with nine tackles (five solo). He also had two tackles for a loss, including a sack, and forced a fumble. 

Matt Kinnick completed 22-of-40 passes for 197 yards for the Yellow Jackets. D'Von Dorsey came on in the fourth quarter and orchestrated a touchdown drive 3-of-7 passes for 73 yards, including a 19-yard strike to Dionta Brown. Talir Rowe rushed for 43 yards on 16 carries.

Charleston returns to the field on Saturday, October 25th to face Concord in Athens, W.Va.  Kickoff is scheduled for 1pm.