Fairmont, W. Va –In Charleston's second game of the 2022 season, the Golden Eagles would prevail in four overtimes at Fairmont State; this year, the Falcons were ready for the undefeated Golden Eagles. 
 
The Basics
Location: Duvall-Rosier Field
Score: UC 30, FSU 33
Records: UC 6-1 (5-1 MEC), FSU 6-2 (4-2 MEC)
 
How it Happened
The Charleston defense would play a tremendous four quarters of football, only allowing for one touchdown and forcing the Falcons to hit four field goals throughout the game despite great field position for majority of the game; however, Fairmont State's defense would prove to be the difference in the game. On the first offensive drive for Charleston, Eltayeb Bushra would intercept Javonte Howard's screen pass and bring it to the house for the first touchdown of the game just under three minutes into the quarter. This pick-six would be the only points of the quarter for either side, giving Fairmont the momentum they sought after at home. 
 
Emmanuel Richardson would hit two consecutive field goals on Fairmont State's next drives in the second quarter from close-range, leaving Charleston with the biggest deficit they've faced all year long. With a roaring Falcon crowd on the ensuing kickoff after a Fairmont field goal, Tae Marrero would hush the crowd with a 97-yard kickoff return to cash in for six points, making it a 13-7 ballgame. Richardson would hit his third field goal of the day from 38 yards out on Fairmont State's next drive, but Chavon Wright would capitalize for Charleston at the three-minute mark on a four-yard rushing score to cut the lead to just two points. After forcing a three-and-out led by Aden Miller, the two teams would head into the locker room, with Charleston trailing for the first time at half in 2023. 
 
The Golden Eagles would take 3:47 off the clock to begin the second half and take the lead with a 35-yard field goal from Tim McCutchen for the 17-16 advantage. Charleston's defense would step up big on the next Falcon drive, forcing Fairmont State to punt to begin their attack in the half. Charleston began their drive at their own 19-yard line and started to march downfield looking for more points, but another interception would haunt the Golden Eagles on a 3^rd and 11 in Falcon territory. After another forced three-and-out by Charleston, Fairmont State would score once again with a pick-six from Sam Fairley who ran it back from 74 yards to take a 23-27 lead over the visitors. 
 
In the fourth quarter, the Golden Eagles would take the lead on an 11-play drive that carried over from the third quarter with Howard's pass into the endzone to a wide-open Niko Kausky to regain the one-point lead. Richardson would connect on a chip-shot field goal for the Falcons with 8:21 left in the final quarter with the home team in the driver's seat. After Charleston stalled on their next possession, they would find themselves with the ball once more after PK Ackah-Yensu would strip Michael Floria in the backfield and give his offense pristine real-estate. Chavon Wright would not waste the opportunity and punched his way into the endzone for the late 30-26 lead with 2:44 to go. 
 
From their own 22-yard line, the Falcons would slowly but surely move their way down the field and get all the way to Charleston's one-yard line with just over 10 seconds left in the game. In very similar style to Charleston's victory last year, they would disguise their tight-end and find him all alone in the endzone for the easy pitch-and-catch and the go-ahead lead with a 33-30 advantage. 
 
Charleston would have one final play from their own 46-yard line to throw a Hail Mary, but Javonte Howard would be sacked by Randy Robinson and the Falcons would hand the Golden Eagles their first loss of the season. 
 
Up Next
Charleston will have their biggest game to date on Saturday as they face the Frostburg State Bobcats. This will be a battle for the 1^st spot in the MEC standings late in the year. In the last three matchups, Charleston has not yet defeated Frostburg State; however, the last two games have come down to the final possession. Kickoff is set for October 28^th at 1:00 PM.