The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

MICHAEL Strachan continues to be the leading receiver for the University of Charleston Cougars and one of the leaders in the Mountain East Conference.

Strachan recorded his second 100-yard game of the season but his Cougars lost their first game of the season (20-14) to the Urbana Blue Knights on Saturday in Charleston, West Virginia.

Strachan finished with a season-high seven receptions for 117 yards.

Despite holding Urbana to 106 yards of total offence the Blue Knights pulled together a drive with 3:54 to play to take the victory.

The Golden Eagles will travel to West Virginia Wesleyan on October 6.

After a brief power outage to start the game, both teams found themselves scoreless to start the second half. The UC defence held the Blue Knights to just 18 yards rushing in the first half.

Urbana opened the second half with 14 unanswered points to take the lead. Tied at 14, the Blue Knights went ahead on a touchdown with less than four minutes left to play, but the Cougars were unable to score the equaliser.

On the season, Strachan has totalled 18 receptions for 409 yards and two touchdowns.

Strachan produced the best game of his career in the Cougars’ 35-31 win over West Virginia State University.

The 6’5”, 205-pound redshirt sophomore wide receiver finished with four receptions for 159 yards and one touchdown.

On their first possession Charleston quarterback Mason Olszewiski connected with Strachan on a 59-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage. Strachan would also catch a 42-yard pass later in the quarter and a 51-yard catch in the second quarter.

In game two he caught two catches for 68 yards and one touchdown.

He also had two receptions for 17 yards against WLU and three receptions for 49 yards against Fairmont State.

Strachan was a redshirt in his true freshman season and saw the first playing time of his collegiate career last year. He recorded stats in just one game when he caught the first reception of his career for them in a 19-16 loss to the Fairmont State Fighting Falcons.

The Cougars were slotted to finish fourth in the Mountain East Conference preseason poll with 63 points. They finished the 2017 season 4-6.

Strachan entered college as a three-sport athlete following a standout career at Liberty Christian Academy. Strachan was a member of the 2013 VISAA 1 State Championship team and received All-Conference and Honourable Mention All-Region as a senior. He was also ranked fourth nationally in the 500m, setting a new LCA record at the Hokie Invitational.

He continues to be a two-sport star for UC and is the defending Mountain East Champion in the 200m, 400m and 4x400m relay.