CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Charleston withstood a late rally from the No. 21 ranked Concord University Mountain Lions to secure a 29-21 win Thursday evening at University of Charleston Stadium.

It marks the first time since 2012 that Coach Kirkland's Golden Eagles have been on the winning end of the matchup with Concord and the win improves UC's record to 4-1 on the season.  The loss gives the Mountain Lions their second loss of 2015 after dropping an early contest to West Liberty and now stands at 3-2 after five games.

Charleston's Jeremy Johnson made a highlight reel in the first half, individually having a hand in all four of UC's scores, rushing for three scores and adding one through the air just before the half that gave the Golden Eagles a 29-7 lead going into the break.  Johnson led all rushers with 184 yards on 18 rushes, scoring on runs of 10, 75, and 12 yards.  Tevion Cappe added 100 yards on 25 attempts for the Golden Eagles who outgained the Mountain Lions on the ground 306 to 149.

Despite the 22-point halftime lead, Charleston found themselves fighting to retain the lead after Concord added a touchdown in the third and fourth quarters to trim the Golden Eagle lead to one score, 29-21 with 6:55 remaining and possession of the ball.  The Mountain Lions, riding the momentum of shutting down the Charleston offensive attack the entire second half, moved the ball to UC's 20-yard line and looked poised to add another touchdown but Charleston's defense stood tall when it needed it most.

UC forced an incompletion on first down, then stopped Jamal Petty and Cavanaugh Jones for 1-yard gains on second and third downs to set up a fourth and eight from Charleston's 19-yard line.  The Mountain Lions ran their field goal unit onto the field for an apparent Andy Ellington 35-yard attempt, but instead Ellington took the snap and threw it to an open TJ Smith in the end zone only to see Charleston safety John Knox sprint from the hash to the corner of the end zone and break up a sure Mountain Lion touchdown to secure the 29-21 win for Charleston.

UC won the turnover battle, forcing three Brian Novak interceptions in the first half, two by Zaire Lewis. The Golden Eagles turned those three picks into 10 points.  Malcolm Cater was in on 12 tackles for the Golden Eagles, two of those coming behind the line of scrimmage for loss.

UC returns to action next Saturday as they travel to West Liberty to take on the Hilltoppers with 1:00 p.m. set for kickoff.