The University of Charleston looked like it was going to celebrate homecoming in grand fashion, leading Fairmont State by 24 points in the third quarter.
The Falcons made a furious comeback, though, and the Golden Eagles had to hold on for a 38-31 Mountain East Conference victory Saturday afternoon at UC Stadium.
The Golden Eagles (6-1 MEC, 6-1 overall) ran their winning streak to five games in a row and now have seven straight wins at home dating back to last season. Fairmont State (3-3, 3-3) saw its three-game win streak to come to an end.
Golden Eagles coach Pat Kirkland was cautious about a troublesome trend but was proud of the victory and making key plays down the stretch when they were needed.
"I'm excited for the win on homecoming," Kirkland said. "We are playing with fire. This is the fourth time this year we have had a big lead at halftime and allowed a team to get back in it. We had a little adversity but made some plays, and I'm proud of the guys for that."
After UC led 31-7 in the third quarter, Fairmont State cut the lead to seven points but couldn't quite overcome the big deficit. Even though the Golden Eagles defense struggled in the second half, it made big plays on the final possession to preserve the win.
The Falcons drove to the UC 17-yard line with under a minute to play with a chance to tie the game, but a huge sack by Golden Eagle defensive end James King on Falcon quarterback Cooper Hibbs for a 11-yard loss put a huge damper on the key drive.
With Fairmont State facing third-and-21 from the UC 28 with 37 seconds to play, UC linebacker Rhakeem Stallings sealed the victory on back-to-back plays, breaking up a pass over the middle and then batting down a desperation heave to the end zone on fourth down.
Kirkland indicated King's sack was one of the biggest plays of the game.
"It was huge," Kirkland said. "That was a big play. It's a kid who is playing about as well on defense as anybody on that side of the ball. He got a one-on-one matchup on the edge, took advantage of it, and it couldn't have come at a better time.''
King was happy to be able to make a key play to help his team pull out the victory.
"I was trying to get [Hibbs] all game long and I finally got him when we needed it," King said. "I knew it was a drop-back and I just speed-rushed it and tried to get to him, and I got there."
Fairmont State's valiant comeback almost ruined a solid performance by UC backup quarterback Mason Olszewski, who was playing in place of Jeremy Johnson, who was out with a leg injury. Johnson, a dual-threat quarterback, has 1,001 yards and five touchdowns through the air and has run for 479 yards and seven TDs.
Olszewski, a redshirt freshman, threw for 123 yards and ran for 52 yards in the first half in leading UC to a 24-7 lead. He finished 14 of 23 passing for 263 yards and a touchdown and added a 53-yard touchdown run in the first half.
Since the UC program started back up again in 2003, Olszewski's 263 yards through the air is the fourth-best passing game for the Golden Eagles.
Kirkland indicated Johnson was a game-time decision but expected his quarterback to be back next week against Urbana. In any event, Kirkland liked what he saw out of Olszewski.
"Mason stepped in when Jeremy couldn't go and played really well," Kirkland said. "He stepped in, ran and executed and made some plays. He is going to be a special player. I'm really excited about his future."
Olszewski was ready for the moment with his preparation all week with Johnson hobbled, and was happy to take advantage of his opportunity.
"I prepared like I was the starter all week and I found out today," Olszewski said. "It felt good in my first collegiate start. I had a good time. It was great to get out there and make some plays. The receivers did a great job for me."
Marvin Elam aided the UC offense, going over 100 yards rushing for the first time this season with 106 yards on 14 carries, including a 57-yard touchdown run on the first offensive play of the game for the Golden Eagles. He added a 1-yard TD run in the second quarter.
For Fairmont State, Hibbs had a huge day, throwing for 378 yards and four touchdowns, both season highs. LaChristopher Lee had 166 yards receiving and Fabian Guerra had 109.
Falcons coach Jason Woodman wishes he could have had the game's first play and last series back, but was proud of Hibbs and the effort shown by his players.
"I'm not happy the way we started the game," Woodman said. "That was the big problem. You can't give a team as good as they are that advantage. I'm proud of the way we fought back, though. Cooper is a solid player and we are lucky to have him."