CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Concord University football team fell to the University of Charleston 29-21 Thursday night in Mountain East Conference action at Laidley Field.
In what was billed as the NCAA Division II Game of the Week, the contest lived up to the hype as CU (3-2, 3-2 MEC) nearly erased a 29-7 halftime deficit to draw within 29-21 with 13 minutes left in the game.
Charleston (4-1, 4-1 MEC) raced out to a 20-0 lead just 20 minutes into the game as UC quarterback Jeremy Johnson had three touchdown runs, including one of 75 yards.
The Mountain Lions got their lone touchdown on a 12-yard pass from junior quarterback
Brian Novak to sophomore wide receiver
TJ Smith with five minutes remaining before halftime, but Charleston countered with a touchdown and a field goal as time expired in the first half.
The field goal was setup by a Concord turnover with less than 30 seconds to go until the intermission.
However, CU still fought in the second half as UC chewed up clock, but senior fullback
Shaun Workinger found the endzone for a hard-fought two-yard touchdown run with a minute left in the third quarter.
The Mountain Lions caught some breaks on special teams errors by the Golden Eagles.
Sophomore defensive back
Chaudlier Shepherd blocked a field goal attempt by UC to set up Workinger's touchdown. The second miscue by Charleston was a high snap on a punt that allowed Concord to drive a short field to begin the fourth quarter.
Senior running back
Calvinaugh Jones finished the 28-yard drive with a touchdown run of his own from four-yards away to make it a 29-21 game with 13 minutes remaining in the game.
CU appeared as if it was going to cut the deficit to 29-24 as senior kicker
Andy Ellington lined up for a 35 yard field goal, except they faked it. Ellington took a direct snap and threw the ball where Smith stood at the pylon ready to haul the pass in for a touchdown.
UC's John Knox came across the field and broke up the pass to halt CU's momentum and keep the game at 29-21 in favor of Charleston.
After the failed fake field goal, the Golden Eagles were able to run out the clock to end the game.
Jones finished the game with 19 carries for 125 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore wide receiver
Jermeil Douse hauled in a team-high seven receptions for 65 yards.
Defensively, senior defensive back
Derrick Johnson finished the game with a season-high 10 tackles, one tackle away from his career-high. Senior defensive lineman
Brandon Taylor had a personal-best nine tackles while junior linebacker
Denis Ikic matched his career-best with eight stops.
The Mountain Lions will host UVa.-Wise 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 10 on Homecoming.
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