CHARLESTON, WV – A spirited fourth-quarter comeback fell short here Saturday as the West Liberty University football team dropped a 35-24 decision at the University of Charleston.
L.D. Crow went over the 300-yard passing mark for the second time this season and led the Hilltoppers (1-7, 1-5) on a pair of late touchdown drives but it wasn’t enough to rally past the Golden Eagles (2-6, 2-3).
Charleston tailback Jordan Roberts ran for 134 yards and 3 touchdowns on 17 carries but it was a couple of bad bounces on special teams that all but put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter.
The West Liberty defense forced UC into a punting situation in the opening minute of the fourth quarter but a short punt bounced off the leg of a Hilltopper blocker and was recovered at the WLU 20. Three snaps later, Roberts slammed into the end zone from 6 yards out and the hosts had a 28-10 lead with 13:32 remaining.
Things quickly went from bad to worse for the visitors as a low kickoff bounded away from the West Liberty return man and careened into the end zone. The Hilltopper returner was snowed under as he tried to pick up the ball and Charleston’s Ryan Foster pounced on it for another UC touchdown.
West Liberty couldn’t get anything going on its next possession but after getting the ball back, Crow hit Brandon Schroeder with a 53-yard bomb to ignite an 85-yard, 8-play TD drive that cut the margin to 35-17 with 5:33 remaining.
Jeff Hoak followed with a perfectly-executed onside kick and the Hilltoppers were back in business at their own 42.
This 58-yard drive required 10 plays to complete but Schroeder came down with a leaping catch in the end zone to convert a 4th-and-goal situation and trim the deficit to 35-24 with 3:19 remaining.
That was as close as West Liberty could get, however, as Charleston recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran all but 1:37 off the clock before losing the ball on downs at the WLU 34.
Crow led another drive into UC territory but ran out of downs and time at the Charleston 32.
The Hilltoppers had opened the scoring with a 1-yard TD dive by Jimmy Burress midway through the first quarter but Roberts wrapped TD runs of 16 and 31 yards around a 36-yard field goal by Hoak for a 14-10 Golden Eagle lead at halftime. Marquis White’s 8-yard touchdown run in the third quarter set the stage for the fourth quarter fireworks.
Crow completed 25-of-44 passes for 303 yards with one TD and a pair of interceptions while Schroeder led all receivers with 8 catches for 128 yards.
Charleston QB Maurice Leak completed 13-of-21 passes for 107 yards while rushing for 62 yards on 13 carries.
West Liberty had more total yards (388-316) and more first downs (22-14) than the Golden Eagles but was victimized by 5 turnovers (3 fumbles, 2 interceptions). Charleston lost only one fumble and didn’t throw an interception.
The Hilltoppers return home this week to host Seton Hill in the annual Alumni Bowl. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Russek Field.
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