FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Early miscues and missed opportunities prove costly in 23-17 setback against the University of Charleston on Thursday evening at Duvall-Rosier Field.
 
The win keeps Charleston unbeaten on the year at 4-0 (4-0 MEC), while Fairmont State was handed its first loss of the season (3-1, 2-1 MEC).
 
Fairmont State turned the ball over three times and was limited to just 135 yards of total offense in the first half as the University of Charleston opened 23-3 halftime lead over the Falcons.

Fairmont State' Lyrics Klugh took the opening kickoff inside UC territory but settled for a 20-yard field goal from Colin Harvath to make the score 3-0 early. Charleston took the lead at the end of the first quarter as Damion May led a seven-play, 71-yard drive down the field and capped it with a 15-yard slant to Tyreik McAllister. The PAT failed, though, so UC settled for the 6-3 lead.

Khalik Hamlin brke free for a 47-yard run deep into UC territory on Fairmont State's next possession, but Jonte Pooler punched the ball out and the Golden Eagles recovered the ball in the end zone. UC then traveled 80 yards in nine plays and May punched it in from the one-yard line to give UC the 13-3 advantage.
 
May would score again from the one with 2:45 to go to push the lead to 20-3. Fairmont State tried to get a score before halftime, but the drive stalled and Charleston capitalized by adding a 25-yard field goal to take a 23-3 lead into the break. 

With the score still 23-3 midway through the third quarter, an eight-yard punt put Fairmont State in business at the Charleston 24. The Falcons were able to capitalize as Hamlin took it in from two yards out, his fourth TD of the season.  
 
Fairmont State's defense then provided a critical stop to get the ball back, but UC's Cedric Amadi registered his third pick of the day in the end zone to stop the threat. 

However, the Golden Eagles fumbled on their next possession, and Fairmont State added another TD on an 11-yard pass from Takwan Crews-Naylor to Javon Hayes to cut the deficit to 23-17 with 9:22 remaining in the game.
 
UC went three-and-out and gave the ball back to Fairmont State, but the Falcons were forced to punt as well. Charleston took over with 5:24 left in the game and managed to pick up three first downs that allowed it to take a knee and not allow Fairmont State one final opportunity. 

The teams were evenly matched statistically on the night with Charleston having the slight edge in total yards, 302-291. However, UC recorded 256 yards on 41 plays in the opening half, compared to just 46 yards in the second half.
 
The Golden Eagles also had the distinct advantage with +3 on turnovers.

Hamlin had 24 carries for a career-high 173 yards and a touchdown to lead the Fairmont State ground attack. Takwan Crews-Naylor was limited to just 12-of-21 passing for 131 yards with one touchdown against three interceptions. Coming into the game, Crews-Naylor did not have an interception this season. Just three players recorded a reception in the loss for Fairmont State, led by Shawn Harris with five catches for 59 yards.
 
Antonio Harris had a game-high 11 tackles for the Falcons, including a sack. Mark Woods, Ekoue Aziaba and Stephen Turner also chipped in seven stops apiece. 
 
Fairmont State was also penalized 15 times for 119 yards in the game and also lost 62 yards on a trio of bad snaps.
 
May finished 12-of-23 passing for 175 yards and one touchdown, and also had 73 yards rushing and a pair of scores. Jimmy Wheeler added 20 carries for 74 yards. Kenjae Rose had a team-high 10 tackles and Kahzin Daniels chipped in a pair of sacks.
 
UC starting quarterback Mason Olszewski went 1-of-2 for eight yards early in the game before an injury ended his night.
 
Fairmont State will look to rebound with a trip to UVa-Wise next Saturday for an MEC matchup. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Carl Smith Stadium, as the Cavs will be celebrating Homecoming.