WHEELING, W.Va. (Oct. 5) – The Cardinals were limited to 262 yards of total offense in a 51-12 loss to the University of Charleston Saturday afternoon in a Mountain East Conference (MEC) contest at Bishop Schmitt Field.
 
Wheeling University falls to 0-5 overall, 0-5 in the MEC. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles move to 3-1 in league play, 4-1 overall this season.
 
Sophomore quarterback Tucker Strachan (Kensington, Md./Bullis) finished the day 18-of-32 for 192 yards and two touchdowns (zero interceptions). Redshirt-junior wide receiver Jaquaun Davidson (Duquense, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) led all players with 123 yards on seven catches with two touchdowns.
 
Charleston took the opening kick-off and went 49 yards on nine plays, capped off by a three-yard touchdown pass to take a 6-0 lead (PAT missed) four minutes into the game. The Golden Eagles forced a three-and-out and scored once again on a second three-yard touchdown pass to increase its lead to 13-0 with 7:44 to play in the first quarter.
 
After Charleston added to its lead with a field goal, Wheeling moved the ball into Golden Eagle territory. The Cardinal drive stalled at the UC 26-yard line on a fourth down play to open the second quarter.
 
Charleston didn't take its foot off of the gas and increased its lead to 26-0 with 11:34 to play in the first half.
 
Wheeling got onto the board late in the second quarter after the defense got a fourth down stop on its own 34-yard line. Strachan connected on four-straight passes, including a 20-yard touchdown to Davidson with 29 seconds left until halftime to trim the deficit to 23-6 (PAT Blocked).
 
The Cardinals received the second half kick and faced a 2^nd down and 19 on its own 39-yard line. Strachan threw a quick screen to Davidson, who dodged one tackle and sprinted up the sidelines for a 61-yard touchdown that pulled Wheeling within 11, 23-12, (PAT blocked) four minutes into the third quarter.
 
Charleston answered back with four-straight drives that ended with touchdowns to break out to a 51-12 lead with just under eight minutes left in the game. The Cardinals had a pair of scoring opportunities, including a drive that stalled on the UC seven-yard line, but were unable to convert either chance for points and were dealt the loss.
 
Defensively, sophomore safety Chris Canaday (Forestville, Md./Duval) led the team with nine tackles (eight solo). Sophomore cornerback Rich White III (Cleveland, Ohio/Lakewood St. Edwards) posted a trio of pass break ups.
 
The Cardinals continued to struggle running the ball. Wheeling finished with 59 yards of rushing, with sophomore running back Cam'Ron McClain (Twinsburg, Ohio/Twinsburg) leading the team with 44 yards on 10 carries.
 
Charleston quarterback Brett Grisel threw for 207 yards and three touchdowns on 17-of-31 passing. Golden Eagle wide receiver Mike Strachan posted eight catches for 87 yards and three touchdowns to lead his team.
 
Wheeling University will host its first-ever Homecoming football game next Saturday, October 12 when it entertains McKendree (Ill.) for a non-conference game at 1 p.m.
 
GAME NOTES: Wheeling was limited to 3-of-12 on third down; UC was 9-of-13 … Wheeling only yielded 207 yards passing; Charleston entered the game averaging a MEC-best 360 yards per game … Charleston held the ball for 33 minutes, 51 seconds; the two teams entered the game ranked 10^th and 11^th in time of possession in the MEC.