Charleston, W. Va – On Thursday night, the Golden Eagles took on the West Liberty Hilltoppers for their Senior Night matchup under the lights at Laidley Field. The Hilltoppers were coming off a bye week, but their previous matchup was a hard-fought loss to the Notre Dame Falcons. Charleston came into the matchup off one of the biggest wins in program history over Frostburg State; it was their first win over the Bobcats in program history. 
 
The Basics
Location: University of Charleston Stadium at Laidley Field
Score: UC 42, WLU 17
Records: UC 8-1 (7-1 MEC), WLU 3-6 (3-5 MEC)
 
How it Happened
Despite a slow start on offense, the Golden Eagles would find the first points of the game on a 68-yard reception to Alex Brink from their own 32-yard line at the 8:20 mark to take the 7-0 lead. After a forced three-and-out by the Charleston defense, West Liberty would score their first points by way of their defense. Javonte Howard would be intercepted by Brennen Bailey on a 4^th and 1 and would bring it all the way to the house to knot the score up at 7-7. On Charleston's last drive of the quarter, they would find the endzone on a 19-yard connection from Howard to Niko Kausky to retake the lead at 14-7. 
 
In the second quarter, Charleston would find themselves with their backs against the wall at the 5-yard line after a punt from Brennan Secrist. On the very first play of the drive, Tae Marrero and a convoy of Golden Eagles would sprint all the way downfield for 95 yards and run into the endzone for six to take a 21-7 lead. The Hilltoppers would find a mid-range field goal just before the half, but the Golden Eagles would trot into the locker room with a 21-10 advantage. 
 
Charleston would find rhythm in the second half as they would take the opening drive and punch Alex Brink into the endzone for his second touchdown to take a 28-10 lead. After another forced three-and-out, the Golden Eagles would march downfield once more. Their drive would be capped off with a 25-yard reception into the endzone from Howard to Yves Bosmans for the 33-10 lead. 
 
The Golden Eagles would find one more score on the first play of the fourth quarter. Brin would find his third of the day on a 17-yard rushing touchdown to take the 42-10 advantage. 
 
Javonte Howard would finish the day with 319 yards on 14 completions and four touchdowns. The running back core would combine for 188 rushing yards giving Charleston 507 total yards on the night compared to West Liberty's 202 yards. Defensively, the Golden Eagles would sack Rudy Garcia seven times on the night and finish with 10 total TFLs. 
 
Up Next
Charleston will have their final regular season game 15 minutes down the road against West Virginia State. Kickoff is set for November 11^th at 12:00 PM.