Charleston, W.Va- The Golden Eagles faced a daunting task Saturday afternoon when the #6 ranked team in the nation in the Notre Dame came to town. The Golden Eagles were locked into a tight battle for four quarters but eventually the offense prevailed and dethroned the top dog in the MEC.
The Basics
Location: UC Stadium
Score: UC 38 NDC 28
Records: Charleston (3-1, MEC 3-1) Notre Dame (4-1, MEC 3-1)
The first quarter began slowly for both sides. After early punts, Charleston drove down the field but was stopped and would have to settle for a Tim McCutchen field goal. Shortly after, Notre Dame would punch one in from an Idris Lawrence run and go ahead 7-3.
The score would remain until Guy Myers scampered and hurdled a defender to get into the endzone for a 12-yard touchdown run. During the drive, RB Tyreik McAllister was banged up a bit but was able to walk over the field under his own power.
Just a few drives later the sixth ranked Falcons would drive straight down the field and score again. For the second time, Idris Lawrence would find the endzone and cut the score to only three with 4:36 left in the half. With 1:35 left in the first half, Tyreik McCallister got his first of three touchdowns on the day from a hard fought 35-yard dash into the endzone. The score at half was; Charleston 17 Notre Dame 14.
The Golden Eagles would stretch their lead to ten after another Tyreik McAllister run. This one went for 58 yards and would put the Golden Eagles up 24-14. But, after a good defensive stop deep in their own field, the Guy Myers would throw his only interception of the day. This one would end up going back for six and the Falcons cut the lead to only three. After the end of the third the score was tight, with Charleston holding a 24-21 advantage.
With 7:29 left in the fourth quarter the Golden Eagles would get a desperately needed momentum boost from Tyreik McAllister. The stud veteran ran for his third and longest touchdown of the day, racing 61 yards down the heart of the field to give Charleston a 31-21 lead. The sixth ranked Falcons would not go down easily and punched another score in with 3:58 left in the game at the hands of Robert Singletary.
After two quick plays that yielded the Golden Eagles negative yards, Notre Dame just needed one stop and they would get the ball back with a chance to win the game with one good drive. However, those plans would be thwarted when Guy Myers faked a handoff to Tyreik McAllister and found a hole in the middle of the field. Myers would blow past the defense and find his way into the endzone for a 70-yard dagger to slam the door on the Falcons.
On the Falcons last attempt to march down field and score, Kenjae Rose leapt into the air and pulled down the second interception of the day for the Golden Eagles. This final pick would allow Charleston to line up in victory formation and run down the clock. Pat Kirkland was given an orange Gatorade bath after the game as his team celebrated knocking off the undefeated #6 team in the nation.
The biggest reasons for success were the offensive line and backfield combo for Charleston. Guy Myers ran for 2 touchdowns, threw for 148 yards and rushed for 79 all with only one unfortunate interception. Tyreik McAllister was dominant on the day as well rushing for 3 touchdowns and 180 yards on the ground. Kei Beckham had a heck of a day defensively recording 4 break ups and 12 tackles. Keon Freeman had 3 tackles for loss as well.
Up Next- Golden Eagles play next week in Glenville, WV against Glenville State College at 12 p.m.
