The next step is now for Golden Eagles
By Michael Dailey
Charleston Daily Mail
The University of Charleston football program has made great strides since its rebirth in the 2003 season after 47 years dormancy.
The Golden Eagles' record improved in each of the first three seasons back on the field, including an 8-3 mark in 2005. And after a disappointing 5-6 finish last season, Charleston's program is once again moving in the right direction.
Six weeks into their fifth season of football, the Golden Eagles are perched atop the West Virginia Conference standings with a perfect 3-0 league record and a 5-1 record overall.
"I think we've made great strides," said third-year UC Coach Tony DeMeo. "We've got two underrated wins this season.
"We beat Tusculum (27-23) and Elizabeth City (17-8), who was ranked 12th in the nation in the Street and Smith preseason poll. Those are huge program wins for us.
"We've come along and we still only have five seniors out of 103 on our roster. We're just trying to get better every week."
Charleston will need its very best effort Saturday afternoon when it travels to take on three-time defending conference champion Shepherd in a 1 p.m. match-up.
Shepherd (4-1, 1-1 WVC) enters the game ranked 18th in the D2football.com Media Poll and No. 21 in the American Football Coaches Association Coaches' Poll.
The Rams had compiled a spotless, 22-0 conference record before being upset by Glenville in its conference opener last month.
Two of those wins came at the expense of the Golden Eagles, who've been blanked by the Rams in each of the last two seasons.
Shepherd prevailed 27-0 at home in 2005, before winning 17-0 at University of Charleston Stadium last season.
While the Golden Eagles aren't placing any special emphasis on this game, a win would not only avenge two losses, it would also greatly enhance their chances of capturing a conference title.
"You try to treat all games the same, but you'd have to be moron not to know that this is a big game," said DeMeo. "I think it's a step for our program just to be able to play the game.
"Three years ago, when we came in here, I don't think many people would have thought that we'd be playing in a game like this so quickly."
In order to make this game a memorable one, Charleston will have to find a way to move the ball against a Shepherd defensive unit that is ranked 10th nationally in total defense among Division II programs.
"They play great defense," said DeMeo. "They run to the ball and they hit hard. They're a great defensive football team. You can't win championships if you don't play great defense."
Shepherd will also enter the game with a 17-game home conference win streak on the line.
"We're just going to go in there with the idea that we're going to play our game and let the chips fall," said DeMeo. "We can't be something we're not."
Charleston is led offensively by redshirt freshman quarterback DeRante Hunter. The 5-foot-9, 175 pound Hunter has totaled 454 rushing yards and 513 passing yards this season. He has run for three scores, while passing for three more.
Shepherd's defensive unit is led by 6-foot-1, 197 pound Layton Hersh. Hersh has 32 tackles and a pair of interceptions this season.
The Rams also have a talented offensive squad led by senior running back Dervon Wallace. Wallace, a 5-foot-6, 177 pounder, has 135 carries good for 754 yards and eight scores.
Junior quarterback Tyler Lazear (62-of-103, 641 yards, 4 TD) is also a talented offensive threat.
Shepherd's offense will also face a stiff challenge with the Golden Eagles' defensive unit.
UC's defense has been solid against the run all season and enters with the 10th ranked defense in Division II in rushing yards allowed per game at 71 yards.
The Golden Eagles have forced 18 turnovers, which is the second best total in Division II.
LeDominique Williams leads UC with 37 tackles, while former Winfield standout T.L. Asbury enters with a team-best 15 tackles for loss.
Throwing the ball against the Golden Eagles' defense has also been tough challenge. UC enters the game with a league best 19 sacks, while cornerback Mike Williams enters with three interceptions for touchdowns in the last two games.
DeMeo knows that the game is among the biggest during his three year tenure.
"It's a real big game," he said. "It's a big game for a lot of reasons. Number one, it's a conference game against the perennial champion. Number two, it's a big game because we're playing a Top 20 team. And third, it's a big game because it's a game on our schedule. It's who we're playing this week.
"Those things make it a big game."
Charleston Daily Mail
The University of Charleston football program has made great strides since its rebirth in the 2003 season after 47 years dormancy.
The Golden Eagles' record improved in each of the first three seasons back on the field, including an 8-3 mark in 2005. And after a disappointing 5-6 finish last season, Charleston's program is once again moving in the right direction.
Six weeks into their fifth season of football, the Golden Eagles are perched atop the West Virginia Conference standings with a perfect 3-0 league record and a 5-1 record overall.
"I think we've made great strides," said third-year UC Coach Tony DeMeo. "We've got two underrated wins this season.
"We beat Tusculum (27-23) and Elizabeth City (17-8), who was ranked 12th in the nation in the Street and Smith preseason poll. Those are huge program wins for us.
"We've come along and we still only have five seniors out of 103 on our roster. We're just trying to get better every week."
Charleston will need its very best effort Saturday afternoon when it travels to take on three-time defending conference champion Shepherd in a 1 p.m. match-up.
Shepherd (4-1, 1-1 WVC) enters the game ranked 18th in the D2football.com Media Poll and No. 21 in the American Football Coaches Association Coaches' Poll.
The Rams had compiled a spotless, 22-0 conference record before being upset by Glenville in its conference opener last month.
Two of those wins came at the expense of the Golden Eagles, who've been blanked by the Rams in each of the last two seasons.
Shepherd prevailed 27-0 at home in 2005, before winning 17-0 at University of Charleston Stadium last season.
While the Golden Eagles aren't placing any special emphasis on this game, a win would not only avenge two losses, it would also greatly enhance their chances of capturing a conference title.
"You try to treat all games the same, but you'd have to be moron not to know that this is a big game," said DeMeo. "I think it's a step for our program just to be able to play the game.
"Three years ago, when we came in here, I don't think many people would have thought that we'd be playing in a game like this so quickly."
In order to make this game a memorable one, Charleston will have to find a way to move the ball against a Shepherd defensive unit that is ranked 10th nationally in total defense among Division II programs.
"They play great defense," said DeMeo. "They run to the ball and they hit hard. They're a great defensive football team. You can't win championships if you don't play great defense."
Shepherd will also enter the game with a 17-game home conference win streak on the line.
"We're just going to go in there with the idea that we're going to play our game and let the chips fall," said DeMeo. "We can't be something we're not."
Charleston is led offensively by redshirt freshman quarterback DeRante Hunter. The 5-foot-9, 175 pound Hunter has totaled 454 rushing yards and 513 passing yards this season. He has run for three scores, while passing for three more.
Shepherd's defensive unit is led by 6-foot-1, 197 pound Layton Hersh. Hersh has 32 tackles and a pair of interceptions this season.
The Rams also have a talented offensive squad led by senior running back Dervon Wallace. Wallace, a 5-foot-6, 177 pounder, has 135 carries good for 754 yards and eight scores.
Junior quarterback Tyler Lazear (62-of-103, 641 yards, 4 TD) is also a talented offensive threat.
Shepherd's offense will also face a stiff challenge with the Golden Eagles' defensive unit.
UC's defense has been solid against the run all season and enters with the 10th ranked defense in Division II in rushing yards allowed per game at 71 yards.
The Golden Eagles have forced 18 turnovers, which is the second best total in Division II.
LeDominique Williams leads UC with 37 tackles, while former Winfield standout T.L. Asbury enters with a team-best 15 tackles for loss.
Throwing the ball against the Golden Eagles' defense has also been tough challenge. UC enters the game with a league best 19 sacks, while cornerback Mike Williams enters with three interceptions for touchdowns in the last two games.
DeMeo knows that the game is among the biggest during his three year tenure.
"It's a real big game," he said. "It's a big game for a lot of reasons. Number one, it's a conference game against the perennial champion. Number two, it's a big game because we're playing a Top 20 team. And third, it's a big game because it's a game on our schedule. It's who we're playing this week.
"Those things make it a big game."