CFB D2 Game Preview: Livingstone Blue Bears (0-0) vs. Charleston Golden Eagles (0-0)

Game Details

Kickoff · 7:00 p.m. ET
University of Charleston Stadium

Preview Summary

The Livingstone Blue Bears travel to face the Charleston Golden Eagles in a Week 0 Thursday night opener. Last season, Charleston cruised to a 38–7 win in Salisbury, and the Trojans enter this matchup riding the momentum of an undefeated regular season. Livingstone, fresh off its first winning campaign since 2015, looks to flip the script in West Virginia and claim a marquee non-conference victory.

Season Context

Livingstone posted a 6–4 record in 2024—the program’s first winning season in nearly a decade—and returns key contributors on both sides of the ball as it seeks to build sustained success under head coach Sean Gilbert. Charleston dominated the Mountain East Conference in 2024, finishing 11–0 in the regular season. The Golden Eagles return a veteran roster loaded with conference honorees and aim to extend their home-field perfection into the fall opener.

Team Overviews

Livingstone Blue Bears

Head Coach: Sean Gilbert (6th season)

2024 Record: 6–4 (first winning mark since 2015)

Offense: Balanced attack leveraging a veteran offensive line and dual-threat quarterback

Defense: Aggressive front seven that generated consistent pressure and created takeaways

Charleston Golden Eagles

Head Coach: [Insert Coach Name] (– season)

2024 Record: 11–1 (11–0 MEC regular season)

Offense: High-tempo scheme featuring play-action and RPO concepts to exploit mismatches

Defense: Bend-but-don’t-break unit anchored by All-MEC performers in the secondary

Key Storylines

Revenge Trip: Livingstone’s “first winning season” narrative clashes with Charleston’s bid for season-opening perfection.

Trenches Takeover: Can Livingstone’s line of scrimmage control neutralize Charleston’s tempo-driven attack?

Early-Season Adjustments: Week 0 weather, special teams execution and new schematics will all influence momentum swings.

Tactical Matchups

Livingstone Run Game vs. Charleston Front Seven

The Blue Bears’ downhill rushing attack tests the Golden Eagles’ gap control and pursuit angles.

Charleston Tempo Offense vs. Livingstone Secondary

Quick snaps, pre-snap motion and RPOs will challenge Livingstone’s communication and assignments.

Head-to-Head

This is the first meeting in Charleston; last year’s matchup in Salisbury ended in a convincing Golden Eagles win, setting the stage for an intriguing rematch.

What to Watch

Opening Drive Execution: Which offense sustains the first long drive and sets the play-calling tone?

Third-Down Defense: Will Charleston’s front create early pressure, or can Livingstone extend short-yardage situations?

Turnover Battle: A takeaway could swing field position dramatically in a primetime Week 0 setting.