Livingston, Ala. –The Golden Eagles suffered a loss to #17 West Alabama on the road by a close margin, 28-24.  
 
The Basics:
Location: Tiger Stadium
Score: UC 24, WA 28
Records: UC 1-2 (0-0 MEC) West Alabama 3-0
 
How it Happened:
The Golden Eagles traveled the long distance to Livingston, Alabama to face off with another top twenty-five opponent in the #17 West Alabama Tigers.
 
After winning the coin toss and deferring to the second half, the Golden Eagles found themselves on defense for the first drive of the game. Charleston quickly forced a three-and-out and the Tigers punted the ball away where UC then began their first possession at their own 29-yard line. The Golden Eagles converted a pair of first downs, but on their sixth play of the drive, quarterback Ean Hamric was sacked and fumbled in the process, West Alabama recovering the ball at the 50-yard line. The Golden Eagles defense forced another West Alabama punt, but Charleston could not convert, giving the ball back to West Alabama after a three-and-out of their own. Charleston's next drive lasted just under four minutes, ultimately resulting in a missed 35-yard field goal, the game remaining tied at 0-0 with 4:27 left to play in the first quarter. After forcing another three-and-out on West Alabama, the Golden Eagles had a short drive of their own, Steven Earnest forced to punt once more, this one for 44-yards down to the Tigers 17-yard line. The Tiger returner muffed the punt allowing UC's Marquan Herron to recover the ball in the endzone, giving the Golden Eagles the first six points of the down on the touchdown. The extra point that followed by Gryffin Mitstifer was good, Charleston leading 7-0 with 1:24 left, the quarter eventually running down as the Tigers had the ball at the UC 25-yard line.
 
The Tigers then converted a 38-yard field to cut the deficit 7-3 UC leading. Charleston's next drive lasted close to six minutes and ended with a Jamarr Ebron touchdown rush for 9 yards. The extra point was then made to extend Charleston's lead 14-3 with 7:53 left in the second quarter. The next drive from both teams were unsuccessful, but West Alabama found a spark as they completed a 34-yard touchdown pass and extra point to bring the score to 14-10 with just under two minutes left before halftime. Charleston had the next possession but was ultimately forced to punt, giving West Alabama the ball with 42 seconds left. The Tigers ran two plays before the clocks ran out, Charleston heading to the locker room with a 14-10 lead over West Alabama.
 
 Coming out of the half, the Golden Eagles were set to receive and after a pair of first down conversions, Charleston found themselves on the 23-yard line where Gryffin Mitstifer extended the Charleston lead with a made field goal, UC ahead 17-10. On the next drive, the Tigers returned the favor and successfully completed a 34-yard field goal attempt to once again cut the lead, UC still with the lead 17-13. With 6:54 left in the third, Charleston strung together a set of drives that resulted in a 59-yard completion from Ean Hamric to Yves Bosmans for a Charleston touchdown. With the extra point, UC led 24-13.
 
UC had possession as the third quarter ended, beginning the fourth quarter with 1^st and 10 at the UC 22-yard line. Charleston's Jaylen Butera then was handed off the ball and ran up the middle for a 71-yard rush, but after a controversial call, the play ended in a Butera fumble and West Alabama possession. The Tigers took advantage of the call and ended the drive in a touchdown to cut the UC lead 24-21. With 10:47 left in the game, Charleston needed a long drive but after 1:58 seconds, the Golden Eagles were forced to punt, and the Tigers took over with 7:49 left in the game. UC quickly forced a three-and-out but after getting the ball back, UC was forced to punt after a short drive of their own. West Alabama had 5:05 left to try and take the lead and they did just that on a quick drive containing just two plays, one of which was a 71-yard rushing touchdown. The Tigers took the lead 28-24 and now Charleston needed some magic with 4:17 left on the clock. Charleston quickly found two first down conversions, but with the ball near midfield, the Golden Eagles tried for it in fourth down territory, but UC was unable to convert and turned the ball over on downs, West Alabama taking over in UC territory at the UC 48-yard line. With 2:21 left to play, Charleston forced another punt, but with 1:03 left, UC failed to convert and once again turned the ball over on downs at midfield.
 
The Golden Eagles ultimately fell 28-24 to the #17 West Alabama Tigers to fall to 1-2 on the season.
 
Up Next:
The Golden Eagles will welcome the Concord Mountain Lions for Homecoming on Saturday, September 20^th scheduled for a 1:00PM kickoff.