BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The University of Charleston football team kicks off its postseason journey in the Division II Football Playoffs this Saturday at UC Stadium.
The undefeated Golden Eagles, ranked No. 6 nationally and seeded second in Super Region One, will host Ashland (8-3) at 1 p.m. in Charleston, West Virginia. UC enters the matchup with an 11-0 record after completing its first unbeaten regular season, which included 10 double-figure victories. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
The winner of the UC-Ashland game will advance to face either California (Pa.) or East Stroudsburg on Saturday, Nov. 30. Undefeated Kutztown is the top seed in Super Region One.
UC followed up its first MEC championship season in 2023 by navigating the ’24 schedule without a loss. The Golden Eagles are led by record-setting running back Chavon Wright, who has 313 carries for 2,009 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns this season. Wright leads all D-II ball carriers in yards and touchdowns, and his 37 scores on the ground tie a single-season D-II record set by Northwest Missouri State’s Xavier Omon in 2007. Omon played in three more games than Wright has so far this season.
As a result of another stellar season, Wright was named the MEC Offensive Player of the Year by a vote of the league’s head coaches. He is one of seven UC players on the first team, alongside wide receiver Yves Bosmans, fullback Niko Kausky, offensive linemen Donovan McCollister and Nick Tinerajo, linebacker Willie Floyd, and defensive back Cashawn Beasley.
Charleston ranks first in the MEC in both scoring offense and scoring defense. The Golden Eagles average 44.5 points per game and allow just 16.7 points per game, a margin of nearly four touchdowns per contest. UC also boasts the top rushing offense in the league, and their 16 interceptions lead all Mountain East programs. Charleston ranks No. 1 in the conference in both red zone offense and red zone defense.
Ashland enters Saturday’s matchup receiving votes in the Top 25 poll. The Eagles are 8-3 this season, including 8-1 in conference play. Ashland head coach Doug Geiser was honored with the Great Midwest Coach of the Year Award. The Eagles had five players earn all-conference first-team recognition: defensive back Devin Prude, defensive linemen Jeffrey Barnett and Michael Shimek, and offensive linemen Nick Walker and Ethan Enders.
