Salisbury, NC – After an incredible season in 2023, Charleston began their campaign of the new year on Saturday night as they faced the Blue Bears of Livingstone College. Head coach Sean Martin and the Blue Bears were picked 9th in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Preseason Poll after a 4-6 season a year ago, but looked to showcase new weapons added to their squad in the offseason. Charleston, picked 1st in the Mountain East Conference Preseason Poll, held high expectations for this road out-of-conference matchup.

The Basics
Location: Alumni Memorial Field
Score: UC 38, LC 7
Records: UC 1-0 (0-0 MEC), LC 0-1 (0-0 CIAA)

How it Happened
The Blue Bears would receive to begin the game and start from their own 30-yard line after the opening kickoff. Charleston stalled the drive with a momentum-boosting fourth down stop from their own 47-yard line to put the Golden Eagles' offense on the field for their first possession of the season. With great field position near the midfield stripe, Charleston took advantage of the space with a five-play 53-yard drive that ended in six points off the deep pitch and catch from Javonte Howard to Marquan Herron for the early 7-0 advantage. Livingstone followed with a drive ending in a short punt to once again put Charleston in prime real estate. In just three plays this time, the drive would once again end in a 28-yard missile from Howard to Herron into the endzone to take a 14-0 lead.

Charleston's next drive ended with Levi Paxton's first career field goal from 37 yards away to extend the lead to 17-0 in the second quarter. The Blue Bears, after struggling to find any rhythm on offense against the visitors, made their way down to the Charleston six-yard line. On a 4th and 3 attempt, the Charleston defense prevailed and caused a turnover on downs deep in their own territory. The Golden Eagles found just the three points from Paxton in the second quarter, maintaining their 17-0 lead heading into the halftime break.

Following the break, Charleston's Shamarr Wright would return the opening second half kickoff 46 yards to the Blue Bear 49-yard line, but Charleston's drive would stall out on a 4th and 3 after four plays. It wouldn't be until the 2:31 mark that the Golden Eagles found the endzone on a Chavon Wright rushing score from two yards out to extend the advantage to 24-0.

In the fourth quarter, Wright would find the endzone for the second time of the night from five yards away on a 2nd and goal for the 31-0 lead late in the game. Later on, Zach Williams would find the promise land from the goal line on a 4th and goal, putting Charleston ahead 38-0.

Despite giving up a score with a minute remaining in the game, the Golden Eagles maintained their dominant margin over Livingstone and took the 38-7 victory in their first game of the year.

Up Next
Charleston will face a tough test in their first home game of the year, as the Vulcans of California (Pa) from the PSAC will come to the University of Charleston Stadium this Saturday with kickoff set for September 7th at 12:00 PM.