Box Score WISE - - Visiting University of Charleston opened up a 24-9 halftime lead over UVa-Wise and never trailed en route to a 38-15 victory at Carl Smith Stadium on Saturday. The victorious Golden Eagles (1-2, 1-0 MEC) amassed 227 yards on the ground led by Leighton Settle who gained 128 yards on 17 carries.  The quarterback duo of Ty Ryans and Jeremy Eubank combined to go 11-28 for 155 yards and five interceptions for the Cavaliers (0-3, 0-2 MEC)

The game was the first home football game of the season for UVa-Wise and the first home Mountain East Conference game in the history of the football program.

Charleston struck first on the first possession of the contest as C.J. Stallworth capped off a nine-play, 73-yard scoring drive with a one yard touchdown run.  Puma Nuredini added the point after try to put the Eagles in front 7-0.  Two plays in to the first drive of the game for UVa-Wise, Charleston again dented the scoreboard as Torie Wagner picked off Ryans and raced 11 yards for the score.  Again, Nuredini added the extra point to extend the margin to 14-0 with 11:06 to go in the opening quarter.

The Cavs responded with an 11-play, 67-yard scoring drive.  Chris Grady finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.  In the drive, Ryans hit Terrence Younger for a 29-yard gain to move the ball to the Eagles 31 yard line.  Two plays later, Ryans hit James Long for a 26-yard completion to give UVa-Wise the ball first and goal from the Eagles four yard line.   Cavalier kicker Paul Melshen had his extra point try blocked to make the score 14-6 with 5:39 to play in the opening quarter.

Charleston responded with a six-play, 38-yard drive that culminated with a 42-yard field goal by Nuredini to push the lead to 17-6.
On its following possession, the Eagles marched the ball 63 yards for its third touchdown of the half.  Maurice Leak finished off the scoring drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Justin Lawrence.  Nuredini made his third consecutive extra point to give the visitors a 24-6 lead with 14:55 to go in the half.  

The Cavs cut the lead to 15 when Melshen received a reprieve on a missed field goal.  The senior missed his first attempt but, the Eagles were flagged for running in to the kicker.  Melshen made good on the second opportunity as he split the uprights with a 33-yard kick.  The score would remain 24-9 heading into the locker room.

The Eagles would outscore the Cavs 14-0 in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.  Bam Harrison would score the first touchdown on a 25-yard interception return and Leak scored the second touchdown of the quarter on a one-yard sneak.  Nuredini connected on both extra points to give Charleston a 38-9 lead heading in to the fourth quarter.

Melshen would add a 36-yard field goal and a 30-yard field goal in the fourth quarter for the Cavs for the final score of 38-15.
Long finished the game with four receptions for 82 yards and Vernon Payne added a 56-yard punt return in the loss.  Thomas Wright finished the game with eight tackles from his position in the UVa-Wise secondary to lead all tacklers.  Andre Dickerson was the leading rusher for the Cavs as he gained 57 yards on 10 carries, including a 32-yard carry.

UVa-Wise will play its second consecutive home game next Saturday when longtime foe Union College visits Smith Stadium.  Kickoff for Homecoming 2013 is set for 6 p.m., the action can be seen live on www.uvawisecavs.com/showcase