Pembroke, NC – Two years ago, Charleston had gone to Grace P. Johnson Stadium looking to move to 7-1, as the team was on pace to win the Mountain East Conference Title in a potential three-way tie. The Braves extinguished the Golden Eagles' chances in a 21-14 win on their homecoming. A year later, the Golden Eagles would defeat the Braves 70-21 at home with a rather large chip in their shoulder. In 2023, Charleston went to the Tar Heel State looking to remain undefeated in their first road contest of the year. 
 
The Basics
Location: Grace P. Johnson Stadium
Score: UC 37, UNCP 29
Records: UC 3-0 (2-0 MEC), UNCP 1-2 (0-2 MEC)
 
How it Happened
This would be the third consecutive game that Charleston's defense would force a three-and-out to start the game. After a 13-yard punt from the Braves, Charleston would capitalize on the short field position with a 31-yard three-pointer from Tim McCutchen to take a quick 3-0 lead. 
 
On the Braves next drive, they would be limited to just four plays before they would punt again. The defensive stop for Charleston was highlighted by a Dyson Yuille sack that pushed the Braves back five yards. Charleston would start their drive from their own 31-yard line, but it wouldn't take long before Javonte Howard threw an absolute dime to Tae Marrero on the run for a 52-yard touchdown reception to take the 10-0 lead. Both teams would punt on their next drive and Charleston would move to the second quarter with the advantage. 
 
Charleston would put together another successful drive in the second quarter as Howard would connect with Yves Bosmans who bullied his way through defenders into the endzone to put Charleston ahead 17-0. Pembroke would put points on the board on their next possession after a 26-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 14. Neither side would score again in the first half and Charleston would run into the locker room with a two-score advantage. 
 
Alex Brink would get the scoring started for the second half with a 21-yard run into the endzone for the 24-3 lead with 13:19 left in the quarter. Pembroke would put a breeze into their sails with a JaQuan Kelly rushing touchdown and a successful two-point conversion to cut the lead to 13. 
 
Yves Bosmans would slow down the momentum with his second touchdown of the afternoon on a 22-yard receiving touchdown on a 3^rd and 10 to give Charleston a 31-11 lead. The Braves would put together a four-minute drive that resulted in a Colin Johnson rushing score from 17 yards out, but a failed extra point would keep the lead at 14 points for Charleston. 
 
On the final play of the third quarter, Pembroke would capitalize on a forced fumble and score on a 23-yard touchdown throw from Colin Johnson to EJ Gatling to cut the lead to one possession. 
 
Charleston would open the fourth quarter with a nine-play drive that ended with a McCutchen field goal from 35 yards away to give the Golden Eagles a two-score lead. The Braves would rebuttal with another receiving score to Malik Tobias for 26 yards to get UNCP to within five points of the Golden Eagles. 
 
Charleston would then put together a successful six-minute drive ending with a 23-yard chip shot for McCutchen to give Charleston a crucial eight-point lead. 
 
Pembroke would start their drive from their own 24-yard line. They would march down the field and find themselves with a fresh set of downs from the Charleston 19-yard line. With just over 30 seconds left, Colin Johnson would throw to his receiver in the flat and be intercepted by Roderick Webb, sealing the win on the road for the Golden Eagles. 
 
Up Next
Charleston will be back at the University of Charleston Stadium this Saturday for their homecoming matchup with the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats on September 23^rd with kickoff is set for 1:00 PM.