GLENVILLE, W.Va. – Glenville State Football will open Mountain East Conference play on Saturday (Sept. 26) on the road at three-time defending league champion, Charleston. The Pioneers are searching for their first win in the capital city since 2009 when the two squads kickoff at 1 p.m.
 
THE JAKE CASTEEL SHOW
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SERIES HISTORY

• 41^st meeting between Pioneers and Golden Eagles
• GSU is (14-26) all-time versus Charleston
• UC has won the last nine meetings
• First matchup took place in 1920

GAME INFORMATION
Saturday, September 26 | 1 p.m. | Laidley Field
Glenville State at Charleston
Watch Live on MECTV | Live Stats
 
THE OPPONENT
CHARLESTON
2026 Season
The Golden Eagles enter (1-3) overall and (1-0) in MEC play after starting conference play with a 41-38 comeback victory at Concord last Thursday (Sept. 17). Charleston used a last-second touchdown to down the Mountain Lions. UC started the season with three consecutive losses to Grand Valley State, California (Pa.) and North Greenville.
 
Head Coach
Mike Tesch is in his third season leading the program after succeeding now-Offensive Coordinator at Northern Illinois, Quinn Sanders. Tesch spent four seasons as the school's offensive coordinator and has now been a part of three MEC championship teams – two as head coach and one as OC. He's also spent time at Clarion, Illinois College, ASA Brooklyn and Hudson Valley CC.
 
Golden Eagles Offense
Redshirt sophomore Matt Frye has started all four games at quarterback for UC, completing 57% of his passes for 805 yards, four touchdowns and four picks. Frye exited last week's game with an injury, as junior Camden Reese threw for 66 yards and two touchdowns on 10-of-12 passing while also rushing for a TD. Both signal callers have proven they can use their legs, adding more value to an already impressive ground game.
 
Charleston features five running backs who have carried the ball 17 or more times, with Jamal Wallace leading the way with 38 rushes for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Kalen Washington (24 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD) has been the #2 back while Joshua Donald (20 carries, 84 yards), Jaylen Butera (18 carries, 67 yards, 1 TD) and Zachariah Williams (17 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD) have all been in the mix.
 
13 different Golden Eagles have recorded a reception thus far, but Frye and Reese have found their three favorite targets. Devin Hobbs is the team's top receiver and is top five in the MEC in receptions (21), receiving yards (304) and touchdowns (four). Caleb Barringer has been a big play threat, averaging 22.3 yards per reception with season totals of 10 catches for 223 yards and one TD. Zion Gray is second on the team in receptions with 11 and third on the squad in yards with 110.
 
Golden Eagles Defense
The top three tacklers for Charleston come from the linebacker spot, with Brain Jones totaling 28 stops and 2.5 TFL to sit atop the team leaderboard. Andrew Chamblee (26 tackles, one sack, one FF) and Demarco Fleming (24 tackles, 2.5 TFL, one FF) are right behind Jones with defensive back Nick Williams sticking his nose in the action consistently as the senior has 23 tackles and 2.0 TFL.
 
As a team, UC has forced five turnovers – three fumbles and two interceptions – with Antwain Burdine Jr. notching both picks from his DB spot. The Golden Eagles have totaled six sacks as a unit, which is fifth-best in the conference, compared to Glenville State's veteran offensive line giving up just four, which is tied for the least amount allowed in the league – setting up for an intriguing matchup in the trenches.
 
Golden Eagles Special Teams
Zachary Alvarez is 5-for-5 on field goals this season, including a 54-yard make at Concord that set the MEC record for longest field goal made. Alvarez also connected on a 43 yarder earlier in the contest. Steven Earnest is averaging over 45 yards per punt and has four that have surpassed 50 yards.
 
THE PIONEERS
GLENVILLE STATE
2026 Season
The Pioneers come in (1-2) after a 49-20 loss at Division 1 Mercyhurst on Saturday to close out non-conference play. GSU had a bye week prior to the defeat, and had opened the season with a loss at Divison 1 Elon before beating Millersville, 24-21, in the first game at Ike & Sue Morris Stadium.
 
Pioneers Offense
JD Sherrod (41-for-79, 464 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT) and Maddox Bowers (22-for-47, 247 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) have both played at quarterback, with Bowers getting a bulk of his time last week following Sherrod's injury early in the contest. The run game has gotten a much-needed boost from Zavione Wood, as the fifth-year and former Virginia Tech/Western Kentucky transfer has carried the ball 40 times for 170 yards. Wood had his first 100-yard game of the season at Mercyhurst. Valparaiso transfer Amir Simmons has added 43 yards as well.
 
UTEP transfer Caden Harris leads the MEC in receptions with 23 and is 12^th in receiving yards with 174. The league's sixth-leading receiver, freshman standout Kyree Bunny, has been a big play threat for GSU this season, totaling 11 catches for 228 yards and three scores. Shippensburg transfer Joziah Gonzalez has been a spark plug as well, catching five passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.
 
Pioneers Defense
Redshirt senior Jacob Clark leads the Pioneers in tackles (26), tackles for loss (3.5) and sacks (2.5) while adding a pass breakup as well. Navy transfer Knowel Smith continues to impress from his safety spot, totaling 22 tackles, one TFL and an interception. Bryson Oliver and Tyson Garrett have 14 tackles each and both local standouts Wesley Brown Jr. and Maddox Gillespie have added 12 tackles apiece to the GSU defense.
 
Charleston transfer Ty Wickliffe had his best outing in a Pioneer uniform at Mercyhurst, picking off two Laker passes and notching five tackles. Navy transfer Julien Moutome debuted nicely on the defensive line, tying for the team lead in tackles with five and grabbing 1.5 TFL.
 
Pioneers Special Teams
Brody Layman is now 3-for-4 on field goals this year, adding two makes his last time out, including a 38-yard conversion. Braiden Haught is averaging just under 39 yards per punt with two 50+-yard boots. Francisco Gamboa and Layman have shared kickoff duties, with the duo averaging just over 50 yards per kickoff.
 
MEDIA
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