SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Charleston stumbled in their season opener, falling 44-17 to Notre Dame College on the road Saturday afternoon at Mueller Field.
 
The Golden Eagle defense couldn't find an answer for Falcon quarterback Malik Grove who finished the game with four total touchdowns while throwing for 259 yards and rushing 121 yards on 19 rushes.  Grove's favorite target through the air was Emmanuel Smith who hauled in 11 catches for 126 yards, including three TD's.
 
UC's Mason Olszewski threw for 151 yards and a touchdown in his 2016 debut.  Marvin Elam led the ground attack for Charleston, gaining 87 yards on 14 attempts.  The Golden Eagles rushed for 179 total yards on the afternoon in the losing effort. Senior wideout Joey Augustin hauled in nine catches for 94 yards including a 13-yard score.
 
The Golden Eagles fell behind early as the Falcons scored a pair of touchdowns to start the game but a Brett Benes 23-yard field goal and Augustin's TD grab from Olszewski brought UC within four, 14-10, heading to the second quarter.  It was all Falcons from that point on as Notre Dame scored 30 unanswered points with Grove leading the charge with two passing TD's to go along with a rushing score.
 
Charleston scored a late touchdown as Anthony Fontana found tight end Chris Briggs for a 2-yard score to make the final 44-17.
 
Things don't get any easier as the Golden Eagles work on a short week, hosting #4 ranked Shepherd on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. at University of Charleston Stadium.