CHARLESTON, W.Va. – For the second year in a row, the Kanawha Classic Trophy went home with the Golden Eagles (6-3, 5-3 MEC), as they downed their cross-town Rival, West Virginia State (6-3, 6-2 MEC) 49-24 on the road. Led by Tyreik McAllister who rushed for 253 yards and four touchdowns.
 
JUST THE BASICS
SCORE:  Charleston 49, West Virginia State 24
LOCATION: INSTITUTE, W. Va.
TEAM RECORDS: Charleston (6-3, 5-3 MEC), West Virginia State (6-3, 6-2 MEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After the first touchdown was called back early in the first quarter, McAllister took the ball on a 61 yard run to put the Golden Eagles on the board first.
 
A mere 30 seconds into the second quarter, senior quarterback, Brant Griselconnected with McAllister on a 26-yard ball giving the Charleston the 14-0 lead. The Yellow Jackets answered three minutes later as Dylan Lucas took the ball nine yards bringing the score to 14-7 in favor of the Golden Eagles.
 
At the 10:49 mark in the second quarter it was McAllister again who took the ball 43 yards to spread the game to 21-7. On the next drive, Martin Ahlstroe nailed a 25-yard field goal attempt that brought the Yellow Jackets within 11 points of the visitors.
 
After the half, Grisel found Mike Strachan on an 18-yard pass that ended the 60-yard drive for the Golden Eagles giving UC the 18-point lead. Charleston later followed up with a four-yard run by quarterback, Guy Myers that brought the score to 35-10 with just over a minute to play in the third.
 
The Yellow Jackets opened up the final period with back-to-back touchdowns bringing them within 11 points of Charleston, the closest gap since the second quarter.
 
On the next drive the Golden Eagles took the ball 75-yards, capped by a six-yard run from Joe Street with seven minutes to play. The Golden Eagles put the nail in the coffin as Quinard Thomas tallied UC's third interception of the game. The junior safety returned the ball for 21 yards and the final touchdown of the contest.
 
Charleston took home the Kanawha Classic Trophy for the second consecutive season.

UC LEADERS 
Passing – Brant Grisel (14-22, 164 yards,)
Receiving –Tyreik McAllister (5 rec, 67 yards, 4 TD)
Rushing –Tyreik McAllister (253 yards, 2 TD)
Tackles – Kei Beckham (9.0 TKL, 1 Int-5 yards), Kal-El Williams (7.0 TKLs)
 
YELLOW JACKET LEADERS
Passing – Austin Hensley ( 36-55, 372 yards, 4 INT, 2 TD)
Receiving – Isiah Scott ( 12 rec, 178 yards, 1 TD)
Rushing – Carl Garmon (26 yards)
Tackles –  Dustin Crouser (16 TKLs)

UP NEXT
The Golden Eagles will close their home schedule on Thursday, November 7. Kick-off is set for 7:00 p.m.