GLENVILLE, W.Va. – The University of Charleston couldn't overcome five interceptions Saturday afternoon at Morris Stadium as the Golden Eagles dropped their third consecutive game to start the 2016 season, losing 35-28 to the unbeaten Glenville State College Pioneers.
 
Playing without their usual starting quartberback Mason Olszewski, Charleston went to Anthony Fontana to fill in at the position. Fontana's first start for the Golden Eagles was a rough one, going 3-for-8 and tossing four interceptions in the process, all in the first half against Pioneers.  Brant Grisel came in to relieve Fontana late in the first half and all of the second half, completing six of 19 pass attempts including a touchdown and an interception.  The two combined to go 9-for-27 for 162 yards, two scores and five picks.
 
UC used a trio of backs throughout the game with Vernard Roberts leading the way with 18 attempts and 64 yards.  Tevion Cappe added 61 yards on 16 attempts, while Marvin Elam carried the ball for 61 yards on 11 attempts and scored two touchdowns, one a 46-yard scamper.
 
The Golden Eagles scored the first 14 points and looked to be on their way to their first victory of the season but the turnover bug struck, which ultimately led to 21 of Glenville's 35 points.  Charleston still held a 21-14 after the first quarter behind Elam's two scores and Fontana's 17-yard strike to Joey Augustin.  The Pioneers did all of the scoring in the second quarter to claim a 28-21 lead heading into halftime as Glenville's quarterback Dante Roberts rushed for a 10-yard TD and connected for one of his three touchdown's to DJ Williams.
 
Neither offense could get anything going in the third quarter and much of the fourth before Grisel hit Cappe for a 54-yard score to even the game at 28-28 and only 2:27 left in the game.  Unfortunately for UC it was too much time for Roberts and Williams to hook up one final time that put the Pioneers up for good, 35-28.
 
Rhakeem Stallings had a big day for UC on the defensive side of the ball, totaling 18 tackles from his middle linebacker position.  Kahzin Daniels picked up five tackles including two sacks.
 
Charleston returns to the field Thursday evening to host West Virginia State University at UC Stadium in the Kanawha Classic sponsored by Frontier Communications.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and will be featured as the MEC Thursday Night Game of the Week.  Live video stream to be provided by WV MetroNews on wvmetronews.com