Charleston, W.Va. — Charleston suffered their first loss of the season last Thursday night, 23-19 at No. 14 California (PA). This was the first regular season loss since a 33-30 setback at Fairmont State on October 21, 2023.
 

The Golden Eagles (1-1) look to bounce back against another Top 25 opponent this week as they travel to Livingston, AL to battle No. 17 West Alabama (2-0). In the latest AFCA Division II Coaches Poll, Charleston is ranked No. 18 while West Alabama moved in at the No. 17 spot. Kickoff is set for 1:00 Saturday afternoon on Terry Bunn Field at Tiger Stadium. FloCollege will carry the game broadcast Live and On-Demand with a Pay-per-View subscription.

A Look at the Golden Eagles —

OFFENSE |

The Golden Eagle offense struggled last Thursday while collecting just 284 total yards of offense. Quarterback Ean Hamric completed just 6-of-21 passes for 100 yards and a score but was picked off twice and sacked twice as well. Running back Jaylen Butera carried the ball 18 times for 75 yards and a touchdown, his first as a Golden Eagle. Backfield mate Zach Williams finished with 16 carries for 55 yards.

With the offense only scoring 12 points, the other score came from a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Caleb Barringer with 4:46 to go in the first quarter. Barringer's kickoff return was the longest for a touchdown since Tae Marrero's 97-yard touchdown return at Fairmont State on October 21, 2023.

Marquan Herron finished with one catch for 33 yards and a touchdown, his 15th career touchdown reception. The leading receiver on the season in Yves Bosmans tallied just two receptions on the evening for 28 yards.

DEFENSE |

The Golden Eagles defense played well for most of the night while holding the Vulcans to just one rushing touchdown which came in the first quarter after the Vulcans returned a punt to the Charleston 34-yard line. Four plays later quarterback Roman Purcell took it in from 7 yards out to put California up 9-0. Charleston's defense would bend but not break as they forced the Vulcans into four field goal attempts on the night. A Harry Radcliffe 40-yard field goal with 3:15 in the 3rd quarter was the only points given up by the Golden Eagles in the second half.

Ty Wickliffe came up with a big interception and return to the California 3-yard line in the second quarter. This set up Jaylen Butera's 2-yard touchdown run out of the Wildcat formation. Wickliffe finished with 6 total tackles, an interception and a pass break up. Nick Williams led the Golden Eagles with 8 total tackles on the evening.

A Look at the Tigers —

Out of the Gulf South Conference, West Alabama enters Week 2 with a 2-0 record and wins over Fort Valley State 27-17 in Week Zero and last week at Chowan, 38-28.

Scott Cochran, a native of New Orleans took over the Tigers program back in February, replacing long time head coach Brett Gilliland who is now West Alabama's Athletic Director. In Gilliland's final season, West Alabama finished 9-2 overall and 5-1 in the Gulf South Conference while losing to Lenoir-Rhyne 37-34 in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Division II playoffs.

West Alabama's Ben Newton, Brandon Kirksey, Issac Williams, Brayden Jenkins, Jaden Taylor, Dearrius Nelson, and Elijah Guyton all picked up Preseason All-GSC recognitions while the Tigers were picked second in the GSC Preseason Poll

OFFENSE |

Returning starting quarterback Spencer Arceneaux leads the Tigers offense that averages 356 total yards and 32.5 points through their first two games. Arceneaux, a 6'-3, 191lb senior from Mobile, AL has completed 26-of-47 passes for 313 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while rushing for three more scores. He redshirted his freshman at Nebraska before transferring to West Alabama in 2022.

Tiger's leading rusher is Brayden Jenkins with 184 yards on 31 attempts (5.9 yard average) and two touchdowns while fellow Preseason All-GSC selection Dearrius Nelson is their top receiver with 6 catches for 113 yards. Nelson finished with 18 receptions for 188 yards and two scores in 2024.

On the offensive line, West Alabama will return four of their five starters from last year's team that averaged 190.9 yards per game rushing and 184.8 yards through the air while giving up 12 sacks.

DEFENSE |

The Tiger's defense has held their first two opponents to just 276.5 total yards of offense per game while totaling 8 sacks. Senior linebacker Trevon Nunn leads the Tiger's defense with 19 total tackles including 9 solo tackles against Chowan last week.

HISTORY |

This is the first meeting between Charleston and West Alabama on the gridiron.

No. 18 Charleston vs. No. 17 West Alabama

Saturday September 13, 2025

1:00 PM

Terry Dunn Field at Tiger Stadium

Livingston, Alabama

Watch: Pay-Per-View at FloCollege www.flocollege.com