WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The Golden Eagles (8-3, 7-3 MEC) hung on to win their season finale against the West Liberty Hilltoppers (5-6, 5-6 MEC) 34-26 on Saturday on the Hill.
 
JUST THE BASICS
SCORE:  Charleston 34, West Liberty 26
LOCATION: WEST LIBERTY, W. Va. – West Family Stadium
TEAM RECORDS: Charleston (8-3, 7-3 MEC), WLU (5-6, 5-6 MEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Senior quarterback, Brant Grisel connected with Mike Strachan with 4:29 to play in the first quarter, giving UC the early 7-0 lead over the Hilltoppers. After a quick three-and-out from the hosts, Charleston drove the ball 52 yards ending with a three-yard run by Joe Street, for the 14-0 lead.
 
Nearly halfway through the second period, Tim McCutchen nailed a 19-yard attempt to increase the Charleston lead by three points. The Hilltoppers quickly answered on a nine-yard run from Quincy Wimbush for the 17-6 score.
 
On the next play, Tyreik McAllister took off on a 65-yard run, to start his record breaking 355-yard terror scoring to put the Golden Eagles up 24-6.
 
The Hilltoppers cut the UC lead to 11 points after a 5-yard reception from Christian Rita for the score six minutes into the third quarter.
 
McAllister struck pay dirt again for Charleston on a 40-yard run with 6:32 to play in the third. WLU answered on back-to-back scores to get within five points of the Golden Eagles, but it was Tim McCutchen who hit a 42-yard attempt with 1:53 to play that put the game out of reach of West Liberty.
 
Charleston finished their season 8-3 over all with a 7-3 Mountain East Conference record.  
 
UC LEADERS 
Passing – Brant Grisel (8-for-21, 171 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT)
Receiving – Mike Strachan (3 rec, 128 yards, 1 TD)
Rushing –Tyreik McAllister (355 yards, 2 TD)
Tackles – Keon Freeman (8.8 TKL, 2 TFL, 1.5 Sacks)
 
HILLTOPPER LEADERS
Passing – Zach Phillips (17-for-40, 208 yards, 3 TD)
Receiving – Christian Rita (10 rec, 128 yds, 2 TD)
Rushing – Quincy Wimbish (14 yards, 1 TD)
Tackles –  Walter Peters (11 TKL, 2 TFL)