WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The University of Charleston scored 28 second half points to rally from a nine-point deficit to earn a 42-37 road win against West Liberty University on Saturday afternoon at West Family Stadium.
UC trailed by three at the half and then by nine points after Hilltopper quarterback Dakota Conwell connected with Anton McCallum for a 67-yard touchdown pitch and catch to put Charleston down 23-14 midway through the third period. The Golden Eagles responded with 21 straight points on three consecutive possessions to go from trailing by nine to leading by 12, 35-23, with 11 minutes left in the contest.
The pivotal play came after Charleston trimmed the lead to 23-21, when the UC special teams came up with magic once again recovering a surprise onside kick by
Brett Benes that the Golden Eagles converted for a touchdown on a
Rashawn Dickerson three-yard catch and gave them lead for good. The Hilltoppers and Golden Eagles traded touchdowns late in the contest to make it a 42-37 game with West Liberty having one last chance with eight seconds left on the clock. Dakota Conwell threw a ball up for grabs that UC's
Zaire Lewis came down with to clinch the five-point road victory for the Golden Eagles and improve their record to 5-1.
Charleston used a balanced attack in their 42 points and 449 yards.
Jeremy Johnson led both the passing and rushing game, throwing for 217 and one TD through the air and gained 107 yards including a three-yard touchdown scamper on 19 carries. Eight Golden Eagles caught a pass from Johnson with
D'Andre Brooks leading the way with five catches for 80 yards while
Joey Augustin scored his seventh TD of the season on his five-catch 73-yard performance.
Charleston returns to UC Stadium next Saturday to host Fairmont State University and celebrate Homecoming. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
