CHARLESTON, W.Va. – There were only three undefeated team playing MEC football heading into week four of the season. The battle of the undefeated took place in Fairmont, seeing the University of Charleston Golden Eagles (4-0, 4-0 MEC) take on the Fairmont State Fighting Falcons (3-1, 2-1 MEC)

Just the Basics
SCORE- University of Charleston 23, Fairmont State 17
LOCATION- Fairmont, W.Va.
TEAM RECORDS- Charleston (4-0, 4-0 MEC), Fighting Falcons (3-1, 2-1 MEC)

How it Happened
Senior quarterback Damien May went 12-23 for 175 yards, throwing one TD and rushing for two in the victory over the Fighting Flacons.
 
Jimmy Wheeler led the Golden Eagles on the ground with 74 yards, Fairmont tallied 160 yards on the ground to Charleston's 119. Penalties were a significant factor against the Fighting Falcons who suffered 15 penalties for 119 yards in the loss. Fairmont's Crews-Naylor threw for 131 yards and one touchdown to lead the Falcons, while Khalik Hamliin lead them on the ground with 173 yards.
 
The Fighting Falcons came out with an impressive opening drive only to kick a field goal to go up 3-0 on Charleston. Charleston battled through the first quarter unable to get to the end zone until the :32 mark when Damien May hit Tyreik McCallister on a 15-yard pass for a Golden Eagles Touchdown. The PAT was no good, and UC went into the second quarter with a three-point lead over Fairmont.
 
Four minutes into the second quarter May rushed from the one-yard line for Charleston's second touchdown of the game, after the PAT UC sat with a 10-point advantage. With 2:45 to play in the half, May kept the ball again for two yards and another Golden Eagle touchdown. As the clock wound down in the first half, the Golden Eagles needed another score before going to the break. Kevin Weiman hit a 25 yard FG to give UC the 23-3 advantage.
 
Coming out of the break both teams struggled to score in the third quarter, but Fairmont found the end zone when Khalik Hamlin took the ball just two yards to cut the UC lead. UP 23-10 UC's offense struggled to convert and the defense found themselves in the trenches trying to keep the Falcons from closing the gap. With 9:22 to play in the fourth quarter Crews-Naylor threw the ball 11 yards to Javon Hayes who would score for FSU.
 
Fairmont was just six points away from a tie, but Charleston held on, and a crucial last drive that saw 2 first downs from May and Wheeler ate up enough clock for UC to take the 23-17 victory, and their first 4-0 start since 2014.  
 
Charleston Leaders
-Jimmy Wheeler tallied 20 carries for 74 yards.
-Damien May led the scoring force throwing for 175 yards with one touchdown and two rushing       touchdowns.
-Cedric Amadi tallied three interceptions in the Charleston, while Kenjae Rose led the Golden Eagles with 10 tackles.
-Kahzin Daniels tallied two sacks for 11 yards.
 
Fairmont Leaders
-Crews-Naylor led Fairmont in the passing game going 12-for-21 for 131 yards and one touchdown.
-Khalik Hamlid led the Fighting Falcons on the ground for 173 yards and one touchdown in the loss.


Noteables
-Senior defensive back Cedric Amadi, tied a school record for interceptions in a game (3) set by Mike Williams in 2007.
-This is the Golden Eagles first 4-0 start since 2014.

Up Next
The Golden Eagles will host the Urbana Blue Knights, Thursday, September 27 at 7:00 p.m.