INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University football team was outlasted by rivals Charleston in a 49-24 defeat on Saturday afternoon. West Virginia State started one of its signature late comebacks early in the fourth quarter, but did not complete the task for only the second time this season.
Head Coach
John Pennington didn't want the result of this game to take away from what has been a remarkable season up to this point:
"It was a tough loss today, but I love coaching this team and I know we're going to learn from this. We're focused on fixing our problems together and making sure that we finish strong. I though the fan support today was incredible and we're determined to play better next week."
West Virginia State (6-3, 6-2 MEC) was ranked fifth in Super Region One going into the contest. The Yellow Jackets are not out of playoff contention yet, with an opportunity to play Notre Dame (Ohio) in the final week of the season. Charleston improved to 6-3 overall and 5-3 in the Mountain East Conference with the win.
A pair of Yellow Jackets made huge impacts on the game. Senior wide receiver
Isiah Scott made 12 receptions for 178 yards (14.8 yards per catch) and a touchdown in a tough matchup. On the other side of the ball, junior linebacker
Dustin Crouser recorded 13 solo tackles and assisted on another three tackles.
UC scored first when running back Tyreik Mcallister broke a 61-yard run for a touchdown. The touchdown put the Golden Eagles up 7-0 midway through the first quarter.
The Yellow Jackets drove down to the UC20 on the next possession, but an errant pass by
Austin Hensley was intercepted in the end zone for a touchback.
Charleston took over with five minutes remaining in the first quarter and put together a 14-play, 80-yard drive that carried over into the second quarter. A 26-yard touchdown reception by Mcallister gave UC a 14-0 lead.
The Yellow Jackets finally got over the line on the following drive. Running back
Dylan Lucas rushed from nine yards out to put WVSU on the scoreboard, 14-7.
Mcallister then broke off another long run for a touchdown to put the Golden Eagles ahead, 21-7, with 11 minutes left in the first half.
The Yellow Jackets responded quickly on the ensuing possession. A 42-yard connection between Hensley and Scott resulted in a first and goal situation. Three straight pass incompletions forced the field goal unit onto the field. Junior kicker
Martin Ahlstroem converted the 25-yard field goal attempt to cut the deficit to 11 points, 21-10.
Two failed drives by both teams in the last seven minutes of the first half left the score at 21-10 in favor of UC going into halftime.
Charleston was able to score two uncontested touchdowns in the third quarter to create a 35-10 advantage going into the fourth and final quarter.
The fourth quarter started off with Hensley finding wideout
Tyrone Lyte in the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown. At 35-17, the Yellow Jackets looked poised to mount one of their famous come-from-behind victories.
On the next possession, a bad snap on a punt gave West Virginia State the ball back on the UC19. Hensley immediately hit an open
Isiah Scott for the score. The two quick scores put the Yellow Jackets back in range at 35-24.
The comeback came up short, however, as the Golden Eagles drove for another touchdown and came up with a pick six to give the game its final score.
The Yellow Jackets netted 388 yards through the air, while Charleston rushed for 421 yards on the ground.
West Virginia State heads to Wheeling University (0-9, 0-8 MEC) for its next contest on Saturday, Nov. 9. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
