Erie, PA.- The Gannon University football team faces their first loss of the season, on the road against the Golden Eagles of the University of Charleston. Charleston featured the only score of the first half with a 43-yard field goal leaving Gannon with a first half of 101 yards.
The powerful Gannon defense was able to hold Charleston 103 yards, as well as a successful interception from senior Zharell Walker. The Golden Knights continued the series of plays with a completed 15-yard pass by Nate Mikkel to Donell “Tank” Mason.
Unfortunately, due to a holding penalty, the Golden Knights lost a 15-play as well as a 70-yard drive, ending their offensive time in the first half.
The second half featured an early Gannon lead (6-3) with two field goals by Eric Scarpino. However, this lead didn’t last long, with Charleston driving 60 yards on six plays. Thus, beginning the back-and-forth battle of the fourth quarter.
Mikell reclaimed the lead for Gannon (13-9) with the longest drive of the night, including a total of 58 yards. Charleston immediately faced the Golden Knights with a touchdown pass on a coverage breakdown.
After a jarring play, the snap had been bobbled giving Gannon a defensive conversion, later negated by an offside penalty. Charleston capped the game off with a nine-yard touchdown with less than two minutes left in the game.
Gannon is set next for a home opener at McConnell Family Stadium against the fifth-ranked (western division poll) Millersville, on Saturday, September 9 at 12pm.
