CHARLESTON, W. Va. – The Pat Kirkland led Golden Eagles outlasted the 25^th ranked Fairmont State Falcons 42-39 to open the 2019 season on Thursday night at University of Charleston Stadium. The Falcons battled back from a 32-point deficit to bring the score within three points in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to overcome the Golden Eagles.
 
The Golden Eagles move to 1-0 to start the season, as the produced 580 yards of total offense led by senior quarterback Brant Grisel . This is the highest score posted by the Golden Eagles since taking on Concord in Athens in 2018.
 
JUST THE BASICS
SCORE- Charleston 42, Fairmont State 39
LOCATION- CHARLESTON, W. Va.
TEAM RECORDS- Charleston (1-0, 1-0 MEC), Fighting Falcons (0-1, 0-1 MEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Eagles offense surged in the first half, heading into the break with a 35-3 lead over FSU. The Golden Eagles earned 371 yards of total offense in the first half, and out gunned the Falcons in the air 282-115, scoring on their first four possessions.
 
Grisel connected with Mike Strachan on a seven-yard ball to put the Golden Eagles up 7-0 just four minutes in to the first quarter. On the next possession, Tyreik McAllister took the ball 11 yards for the 14-0 advantage.  Deshawn Ruffin, Xzavion Gordon, and McAllister combined for three scores to give UC their 32-point lead.
 
The Falcons lone first half score came from Colin Horvath's 31-yard field goal with two minutes to play in the first quarter.
 
Coming out of the break Tyree Randolph scored the first touchdown for the Falcons bringing the score to 35-10 with 11:58 to play in the third. The Golden Eagles answered as Grisel hit Mike Strachan with a 39-yard pass to put UC up 42-10.
 
Fairmont went on to outscore the Golden Eagles 36-7 in the second half, but it would not be enough to overcome Charleston who came away with the 42-39 victory.
 
The Falcons ended the game with 580 yards of total offense to UC's 542. Grisel went 19-27 for 367 yards, breaking the Charleston single game pass record.
 
 
UC LEADERS
PASSING- Brant Grisel, 19-27, 367 yds, three TD,
RUSHING-Tyreik McAllister, 94 yds, two TD
RECEIVING- Mike Stratchan, nine receptions for 157 yds, two TD
TACKLES-Jordin Brown (7)
 
FALCON LEADERS
PASSING- T. Crews-Naylor, 27-42, 369 yds, two TD
RUSHING- Khalik Hamlin, 132 yards, one TD
RECEIVING­- Andre Hall, six receptions for 111 yards, one TD
TACKLES­-Trevon Shorts, nine tackles (3.5 TFLs/12 yds)