FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- The mad rush of teammates onto the field at Memorial Stadium was because of the game result and not surprise that Fairmont State kicker Alex Ashley hit the game-winning 39-yard field goal against Clarion, Pa., as time expired.
Falcon Coach Mike Lopez never had a doubt.
"I don't think the team, Alex or we were surprised he hit it," said Lopez, whose Falcons relied on the leg of the former Capital kicker to win their season opener 23-20. "The team rushed him because of the way it happened, but nobody was shocked."
Ashley, who said the only game-winner he remembers having was an overtime extra point in a victory over Beckley as a sophomore, was 3-for-3 on field goals against the Golden Eagles.
The 6-foot, 185-pound junior was 9-for-14 last year, which included a 43-yarder against Charleston.
"You always dream of being put in this situation," said Ashley, who transferred to Charleston to play soccer after a year at Fairmont but decided to return to play football for the Falcons. "The coaches had faith in me. Everybody picked us to lose this game."
It was a good start on the season for the Falcons, who face Lake Erie College this Saturday at Duvall-Rosier Field before embarking on a five-game West Virginia Conference swing that begins at home against W.Va. State on Sept. 13. The brutal WVC schedule includes visits to Shepherd and Glenville, a home game against West Liberty and a road trip to Charleston.
"The conference is better, but our schedule is the most challenging as far as battling the big dogs," Coach Lopez said. "We'll just take it play-by-play and game-by-game."
Lopez' team will guard against looking past Lake Erie, even though the Storm played its first game as an NCAA Division II provisional member last week - losing 24-22 to Gannon.
A two-point deficit late in a game is a good spot for Ashley, who has been called upon time and again in the clutch and inside the 30-yard line for the Falcons.
"It's a fantastic feeling knowing they have faith in me," Ashley said. "There are always times where a field goal won't help, but I can't really recall any time last year where we wouldn't kick a field goal if we had to."
FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- The mad rush of teammates onto the field at Memorial Stadium was because of the game result and not surprise that Fairmont State kicker Alex Ashley hit the game-winning 39-yard field goal against Clarion, Pa., as time expired.
Falcon Coach Mike Lopez never had a doubt.
"I don't think the team, Alex or we were surprised he hit it," said Lopez, whose Falcons relied on the leg of the former Capital kicker to win their season opener 23-20. "The team rushed him because of the way it happened, but nobody was shocked."
Ashley, who said the only game-winner he remembers having was an overtime extra point in a victory over Beckley as a sophomore, was 3-for-3 on field goals against the Golden Eagles.
The 6-foot, 185-pound junior was 9-for-14 last year, which included a 43-yarder against Charleston.
"You always dream of being put in this situation," said Ashley, who transferred to Charleston to play soccer after a year at Fairmont but decided to return to play football for the Falcons. "The coaches had faith in me. Everybody picked us to lose this game."
It was a good start on the season for the Falcons, who face Lake Erie College this Saturday at Duvall-Rosier Field before embarking on a five-game West Virginia Conference swing that begins at home against W.Va. State on Sept. 13. The brutal WVC schedule includes visits to Shepherd and Glenville, a home game against West Liberty and a road trip to Charleston.
"The conference is better, but our schedule is the most challenging as far as battling the big dogs," Coach Lopez said. "We'll just take it play-by-play and game-by-game."
Lopez' team will guard against looking past Lake Erie, even though the Storm played its first game as an NCAA Division II provisional member last week - losing 24-22 to Gannon.
A two-point deficit late in a game is a good spot for Ashley, who has been called upon time and again in the clutch and inside the 30-yard line for the Falcons.
"It's a fantastic feeling knowing they have faith in me," Ashley said. "There are always times where a field goal won't help, but I can't really recall any time last year where we wouldn't kick a field goal if we had to."
* * *
THE UNIVERSITY of Charleston will look for its first win of the season when it opens its home schedule at University of Charleston Stadium Saturday, against St. Augustine (N.C.). Kickoff is slated at 1 p.m.
The Golden Eagles (0-1) dropped their opener last Saturday 40-0 at Tusculum (Tenn.).
UC, which trailed 24-0 at the half, was led by DaRante Hunter, who connected on 9-of-19 passes for 131 yards, while backup quarterback Jay Julian tallied 86 rushing yards on eight carries.
Saturday's home opener is Suddenlink Day at the stadium. Free tickets to the game will be available at the gate.
* * *
IT WAS a tough college debut for former Nitro High quarterback Michael Scott, as West Virginia Tech dropped its season opener 51-13 at Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.).
Scott finished just 13-of-31 for 129 yards, with three interceptions in the loss.
On the ground, former Nitro High and University of Charleston running back Josh Culbertson led the way with 117 yards on 24 carries.
Tech kept the game close in the first half in trailing just 24-13 at the half, but was outscored 27-0 in the third and fourth quarters.
The Golden Bears play at Urbana (Ohio) University (0-1) at noon on Saturday.
