Charleston, W.Va. — Charleston football team opened the 2026 season Thursday, falling to visiting No. 8 Grand Valley State, 38-10, at the University of Charleston Stadium.
The Golden Eagles kept pace with the Lakers through the first half, but Grand Valley State used a strong second half to pull away and secure the season-opening victory.
The Basics:
Location: UC Stadium
Score: Charleston 10, GVSU 38
Records: Charleston 0-1 (0-0 MEC) Grand Valley State 1-0
Charleston finished the game with 232 yards of total offense, including 186 passing yards and 46 rushing yards. Grand Valley State produced 459 total yards, more than doubling Charleston's offensive output. The Lakers also held a significant advantage on the ground, rushing for 206 yards on 40 attempts compared with Charleston's 46 yards on 23 carries.
Charleston struck first on the scoreboard after falling behind 7-0 in the opening quarter. Zachary Alvarez connected on a 24-yard field goal with 7:37 remaining in the first quarter, capping a 10-play, 69-yard drive and cutting the deficit to 7-3.
The Golden Eagles then took their only lead of the afternoon midway through the second quarter. Charleston marched 80 yards in four plays, with Zachariah Williams scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run with 5:43 remaining in the half. Alvarez's extra point put Charleston ahead, 10-7.
Grand Valley State answered just 1:23 later when Andrew Schuster connected with Kellen Reed for a 20-yard touchdown, giving the Lakers a 14-10 advantage heading into halftime.
Reed was a major factor for Grand Valley State, finishing with five receptions for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Schuster completed 19 of 28 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns.
The Lakers took control in the third quarter. Schuster found Amonte Cook for a 16-yard touchdown with 6:39 remaining in the period, extending the lead to 21-10. Grand Valley State added another touchdown at the end of the quarter when Kellen Russell-Dixon scored on a 1-yard run, making it 28-10 heading into the fourth.
Grand Valley State added a 34-yard field goal from Mathew Bacik early in the fourth quarter before Brady Drogosh capped the scoring with a 26-yard touchdown run with 1:49 remaining.
Charleston quarterback Matt Frye completed 14 of 24 passes for 186 yards, with Caleb Barringer leading the receiving corps with three catches for 111 yards. Williams paced the Golden Eagles' rushing attack with 27 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
Defensively, Charleston recorded 69 tackles and four tackles for loss, with Demarco Fleming leading the way with 10 total tackles. Andrew Chamblee added seven tackles, including a sack, while Brian Jones and Nick Williams each recorded six tackles. Grand Valley State controlled the clock for 34:31 and converted 7 of 14 third downs, while Charleston finished 3-for-11 on third down. The Lakers also held a 23-10 advantage in first downs.
Charleston falls to 0-1 on the season, while Grand Valley State opens the year 1-0.
Up Next:
The Golden Eagles return to action September 3 at California (Pa.).
