Charleston, W. Va – After losing their first ever matchup with the Golden Knights in 2022, Charleston was looking to return the favor at home. In front of a packed white-out crowd in the Capital City, the Golden Eagles did not disappoint. 
 
The Basics
Location: UC Stadium at Laidley Field
Score: UC 22, GU 13
Records: UC 1-0, GU 0-1
 
After Charleston won the toss and kicked to begin the game, Charleston's defense would set the tone on the very first drive of the game, as they would not allow a single yard and forced the Golden Knights to punt on the opening possession. Charleston's offense would face the same fate as they would be forced to punt on their first possession as well. 
 
The two teams would have a punt-off as neither offense could get the ball moving, until Tae Marrero would electrify the crowd with a 56-yard punt return from his own five-yard line to set up Charleston with the first opportunity to score on a 48-yard field goal, but it would miss shy of the mark and Gannon would take over on downs from their own 30-yard line. After another three-and-out was forced by the Golden Eagles, the quarter would end with the score 0-0. 
 
The Golden Knights would pick-off Javonte Howard's pass on 3^rd and 10 and would put together a 7-minute-long drive to get to Charleston's 11-yard line. On a 3^rd and 15, Nate Mikell would be intercepted by Ra'Shaad Morris in the endzone to keep the zero standing on the scoreboard and Charleston would take over from the 20-yard line. 
 
Charleston would drive all the way down to Gannon's 25-yard line where Tim McCutchen would disrupt the scoreless game with a 43-yard field goal to give Charleston the 3-0 lead just before half. 
 
In the second half, the Golden Knights would rely on Eric Scarpino to get their first points of the game as Scarpino would hit back-to-back field goals for Gannon to take a 6-3 lead over Charleston in the third quarter. With 2:11 to go in the quarter, Charleston would get the six points they were looking for on a pass from Howard to Thomas Ashworth in the endzone to take the 9-6 lead after a failed extra point. The Golden Eagles would take their lead into the fourth quarter with both teams getting ready for the final battle. 
 
After both teams stalled offensively to begin the quarter, Gannon would stop the drought with a 14-yard connection from Mikell to KeJohn Batiste into the endzone to take the 13-9 lead with 5:28 remaining in the game. Less than two minutes later, the Golden Eagles would rebuttal with a touchdown of their own as Howard found a wide-open Marquan Herron for a 49-yard reception to take the 15-13 lead, but the field goal unit would fail once again on the extra point. 
 
With Gannon's back against the wall, they needed to score to stay alive. From their own 34-yard line, they would throw four incomplete passes and turn the ball over on downs. The defense looked unbeatable all night and they maintained the energy it took to give their team the ball back on a crucial possession. 
 
Charleston's Chavon Wright would ice the game with a nine-yard rushing touchdown to give the Golden Eagles a two-score lead. Gannon would drive down into Charleston territory, but would ultimately turn the ball over on downs and Charleston would end the game in victory formation for the 22-13 win over Gannon. 
 
Charleston's Cashawn Beasley would end the game with seven solo tackles and two TFLs for eight yards, followed by PK Ackah-Yensu who contributed five solo tackles and a TFL. Javonte Howard would finish 17-29 with 197 yards and two touchdowns while Chavon Wright ran for 77 yards and a score. 
 
Up Next
Charleston will be back at home for another Thursday night game as they dive into Mountain East Conference play. They will face the Mountain Lions of Concord University on September 7^th at 7:00 PM.