CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Ashland kicker A.J. Rhodes ended the University of Charleston’s historic undefeated football season with a 37-yard field goal, clinching a 40-38 victory with just 2 seconds remaining at UC Stadium on Saturday.
The Golden Eagles, ranked No. 6 nationally and the No. 2 seed in Super Region One, had taken the lead with 1:13 left in the fourth quarter on a 44-yard touchdown pass from Ean Hamric to Yves Bosmans. Levi Paxton’s extra point put UC ahead 38-37, much to the delight of the ESPN+ audience.
However, Ashland (9-3) responded by marching 57 yards on 10 plays, setting up the game-winning field goal from the UC 20-yard line.
Hamric completed 15 of 31 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns, both to Bosmans. Marquan Herron led UC receivers with six receptions for 127 yards, while Bosmans added 109 yards on three catches.
MEC Offensive Player of the Year Chavon Wright concluded his remarkable season with 42 carries for 226 yards and one touchdown. Wright became the 27th player in NCAA Division II history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a season and set a DII record with 38 rushing touchdowns.
Saturday marked the first game this season in which Wright did not score multiple touchdowns.
MEC all-conference performers Willie Floyd and Michael Schweinefuss each recorded eight tackles.
Overall, UC amassed 581 yards of total offense but allowed 553 yards to Ashland and lost the turnover battle by two.
