Institute, W.Va --  The Golden Eagles (8-2, 8-2 MEC) capped off their season with a sound 38-13 victory in the annual Kanawha Classic against the Yellow Jackets of West Virginia State. It was a back-and-forth battle in what seemed to be the coldest game of the year between the two rivals, but Charleston's defense was able to shut out the Yellow Jackets in the second half to move to four wins in a row in the crosstown rivalry.
 
 
The Basics
Location: Lakin-Ray Field
Score: UC 38 WVSU 13
Records: CHARLESTON (WV) (8-2 , 8-2 MEC)  WEST VIRGINIA ST. (6-5 , 6-4 MEC)
How it Happened
The scoring started midway through the first quarter after a time-consuming opening drive for the Golden Eagles ending with a 30-yard Tim McCutchen field goal, his first of three on the day. The Yellow Jackets answered thoroughly with a long drive of their own that ended in a rushing touchdown from quarterback Donovan Riddick just before the 1st quarter ended. The extra point was blocked at the line leaving the score 3-6 at the end of one.
 
The Golden Eagles continued to rely on McCutchen as he knocked home a 45-yard field goal with swirling winds to make it all even at 6-6. State answered the equalizer with a quick touchdown from Dant'e Jones after a 3 play 45-yard drive that stunned a high-powered Golden Eagles defense. Charleston was able to tie the game up once again after Tyreik McAllister rushed for a touchdown from 5 yards out to make the score 13-13. The Yellow Jackets were almost able to put together a scoring drive just before the half after a special teams error on a punt that led to great field position, but Charleston's defense held strong with the short field and left the score knotted up heading to the locker room.
 
After the break, the Golden Eagles started off defensively with an interception from corner Josh Saunders. A valuable 51-yard coffin corner punt from Senior Bryce Santos proved to be worthy as the offense was able to start with great field position after the Golden Eagles defense was able to force a short punt from the Yellow Jackets.  Senior quarterback Guy Myers was able to connect on a 17-yard pass to Colby Cooper in the endzone to go up 20-13. On the next offensive drive, Charleston ended their drive with a 20-yard field goal from McCutchen just before the end of the third to go up 23-13. Charleston ended the quarter on defense with a hard-hitting sack from safety Jeremy Dominique.
 
At the beginning of the fourth, Riddick was sacked once again, this time by Davante Wright. State was forced to punt from inside their own endzone and Charleston took advantage of the opportunity by blocking the punt out of the endzone for a safety to go up 25-13. The Golden Eagles marched down the field on offense and Myers rushed into the endzone to extend the lead to 31-13. Head Coach Pat Kirkland made the executive decision to try and keep State's offense off the field by attempting an onside kick in which the Golden Eagles were successful on. This led to a rushing touchdown for McAllister once again to make the score 38-13. Guy Myers took his final knee as a Golden Eagle to end yet another winning season.
 
Up Next:
The Golden Eagles will return to action in the spring when they play their annual, Gold vs Maroon game in the spring.