Charleston, W. Va. – The Wheeling University Football team (2-3, 1-3) hit the road for the first time in October on Saturday as they went down to the University of Charleston. Wheeling was able to keep it close through the first half of play, but it wasn't enough as the team fell to the Golden Eagles 42-23. The offense put up 16 of their 23 points in the second half, but the comeback would fall short as the Cardinals moved to 1-3 in conference play.

Charleston would receive the game's opening kick-off and drove 75 yards in just over six minutes. They capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Chavon Wright as the Golden Eagles took a 7-0 lead. Wheeling would be forced to punt on their first drive of the day and Charleston would get on the board once again and the Golden Eagles took a 14-0 lead just 13 minutes into the game. On their second drive of the game, the Cardinals were driving down the field and Javon Davis completed a short pass to Colin Oberdick to get them over the 50-yard line as the first quarter came to an end. When play resumed, the Cardinals continued driving down to the Golden Eagle's one-yard line.

Dawaun Green would finish the rest as he plunged into the end zone from one yard out and the Cardinals made it a 14-7 game.
Both teams would trade punts on their ensuing drives, and Trey Brady would send a ball 42 yards to back up the Golden Eagles on their own 35 yard line. However, the Charleston offense was up for the Challenge driving the 65 yards in four plays, with a five yard run by Wright capping off the drive and adding seven more points to the scoreboard. After Wheeling was forced to punt on the next drive, the potent Golden Eagle offense was back at it and they added their fourth touchdown of the game and extended their lead to 28-7. That would be the Golden Eagle lead as the teams headed into the locker room with the advantage. As they headed into the second half, the Cardinals looked to generate more offense and get on the scoreboard.

Wheeling would receive the second half kick-off and proceeded to go on their longest drive of the day. They would drive 72 yards in 13 plays and on that 13th play, they were set up first and goal at the Charleston three-yard line. They would give the ball to Green once again and he would do the rest plunging the ball in from three yards out and cutting the Wheeling deficit to 28-14. However, the Golden Eagles would respond with touchdowns on back-to-back drives and their lead grew to 42-14 by the end of the third quarter. The Cardinals would have the ball at the end of that third quarter, but had a lot of work to do being down by five scores. They would start the fourth quarter strong, getting to the Charleston 17 yard-line. 

They called on Joao Lima, and he sent the ball through from 24 yards out and Wheeling cut into the Charleston lead, making it 42-17. On their second drive of the half, Head Coach Zac Bruney would switch to his subs, and they would put a drive together. Landon Lutz, who took over midway through the third quarter, led the Cardinals down to the Golden Eagles 20-yard line. He would connect with graduate student Chris Charles on a 20-yard pass and the Cardinals were back on the board and cut their deficit to 42-23. That was as close as the Cardinals would get on the day as they fell by the final score of 42-23. Despite the comeback attempt, the Cardinals took their third conference loss of the season as they get set to return home next week.

Leading the way on offense was Chris Charles, who pulled in five catches between the two quarterbacks for 75 yards and a touchdown. The other two Cardinals touchdowns on the day came in the ground, courtesy of Dawaun Green. Green would carry the ball six times for 18 yards, but came through when it counted, scoring two of his team's three touchdowns. Javon Davis would finish 12-23 throwing for 135 yards, while Landon Lutz went 5-11 with 72 yards and the touchdown pass. On defense, it was a big day for Masiah Thorne, who finished with nine tackles, eight solo and one assisted, setting a new career high. Joao Lima would add the final three points on the day, kicking a 34-yard field goal.

The Wheeling University Football team is back in action on Saturday, October 19th, when they host West Virginia State with kick-off at noon.