Charleston, W.Va. — Charleston dropped their second straight road test 28-24 at No. 17 West Alabama last Saturday afternoon in Livingston, AL. Back-to-back close losses to ranked opponents also dropped the Golden Eagles out of the AFCA Top 25 for the first time since November 14, 2023.
This weekend, Charleston opens the Mountain East Conference schedule as they host the Concord Mountain Lions on Homecoming Saturday inside UC Stadium at Laidley Field. Back-to-back MEC champions, the Golden Eagles were picked to finish at the top in the MEC Preseason Coaches' Poll with Concord picked to finish 8th in the nine-team league.
A Look at the Golden Eagles —
OFFENSE | The Golden Eagles offense had no problem moving the ball on West Alabama last Saturday, finishing with 508 total yards. Quarterback Ean Hamric threw for 290 yards on 20-of-44 completions and a touchdown. For the season, Hamric is 46-of-92 (50%) for 675 yards and 7 touchdowns while throwing two interceptions.
Mercyhurst transfer, running back Jaylen Butera leads the Golden Eagles' ground attack with 244 yards on 42 carries and 5.8 yards per carry. Redshirt sophomore running back Zach Williams has contributed 52 totes for 203 yards as Charleston averages 224.3 yards rushing per game.
Golden Eagles offense averages 27.3 ppg while converting 21-of-51 (41.18%) on 3rd down conversions and 4-of-9 (44.44%) on 4th down.
In the first three games, Charleston's offense has run 72 more plays than their opponents, 241-169; while time of possession favors the Golden Eagles, 33:46 – 26:14.
DEFENSE | Charleston is at the top in scoring defense in the Mountain East Conference, giving up just 20.3 ppg to their first three opponents. Golden Eagles are allowing 345.7 total yards per game with just 135.3 yards on the ground (2nd in the MEC).
Linebacker Aden Miller leads the team in total tackles with 21 while senior defensive back Deno Wardlow and junior defensive back Nick Williams have collected 15 each.
A Look at the Mountain Lions —
Concord is coming off back-to-back 1-10 seasons after finishing 9-2 (8-2 MEC) in the 2022 season. First year head coach Cody Edwards has taken over the program after a stint as linebackers' coach and special teams coordinator at Western Carolina University. A native of Haysi, Virginia, Edwards played college football at UVA-Wise from 2006-2009.
Concord opened their 2025 season with a victory at UVA-Wise 37-29 but suffered a 38-31 loss at Bluefield State the following week at Mitchell Stadium in Bluefield, WV.
OFFENSE | Concord offense has put up impressive numbers through their first two games this season. Mostly through the air as sophomore quarterback Tyler Mizzell is 2nd nationally in passing yards per game with 351.5 yards. Mizzell (6'-1, 180lbs) has completed 47 of 76 passes for 703 yards and 7
touchdowns. The Wake Forest transfer has thrown 3 interceptions and has sacked only once. His favorite target has been Princeton native, redshirt freshman receiver Dom Collins. Collins, a transfer from West Virginia University, has 14 receptions for 293 yards and 4 touchdowns and ranks 3rd nationally in receiving yards per game at 150.5 yards.
So far, the Mountain Lions have split the production out of the backfield with 5'-10, 185lb junior running back Maurice Jones (28 carries for 82 yards) and 5'-11,210lb graduate Rashad Luckey-Dowdy (20 carries for 51 yards).
Concord offense is averaging 34.0 points per game while converting 15-of-35 (42.86%) on 3rd down conversions and 4-of-9 (44.44%) on 4th down.
DEFENSE | The Mountain Lions defense has given up 325.5 yards per game — that's the best of all MEC teams but are 7th in the conference in points allowed at 33.5. Junior defensive back Nehemiah Scott leads the team in total tackles with 20 including 7 solo tackles against Bluefield State. Fellow defensive back Ar'Terrian Godfrey has two interceptions, both coming in the season opening victory against UVA-Wise.
Sophomore linebacker Xavier Ellison has contributed 17 total tackles including a team-high 3 tackles for a loss.
HISTORY | This is the 41st meeting between Charleston/Morris Harvey College and Concord on the gridiron with Charleston holding a 22-16-2 advantage over Concord. The Golden Eagles have won 8-of-11 over the Mountain Lions since the start of the Mountain East Conference in 2013. In last year's meeting, Charleston defeated Concord 42-7 at Callaghan Stadium in Athens, WV.
Concord (1-1) at Charleston (1-2)
Saturday September 20, 2025
1:00 PM
UC Stadium at Laidley Field
Charleston, WV
Watch: MECtv mountaineast.tv/charleston
