CHARLESTON, S.C. - It wasn't easy but the Charleston Southern
football team captured their first win of the 2005 season with a
16-10 victory over visiting Jacksonville University at Buccaneer
Field on Saturday afternoon.
Junior quarterback Collin Drafts completed 24-of-40 passes for
194 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Buccaneers offensively.
Sophomore receiver Edsel Logan snared a career-high eight passes
for 63 yards while tight end Bryan Meers and receiver Drew Rucks
caught touchdown passes.
Charleston Southern again struggled to run the football,
mustering only 26 yards rushing on the day. CSU averaged 3.1 yards
per offensive play in finshing with 220 total yards.
Jacksonville (0-1) was paced offensively by senior running back
Jerry Brant, who rushed for 147 yards on 25 carries. The Dolphins
gained 196 yards on the ground and 138 yards through the air.
Jacksonville led 3-0 early in the second quarter on Ryan Feely's
20-yard field goal. The Buccaneers did not break into the scoring
column until just before halftime when Drafts connected with Rucks
on a 13-yard scoring pass with :39 remaining in the first half.
CSU made it 13-3 after recovering a third quarter fumble on the
Jacksonville six-yard line. Three plays later the Bucs scored on
Meers' touchdown reception with 9:28 remaining in the third
quarter. Nick Ellis pushed the lead to 13 with a 42-yard field goal
with 3:03 left in the quarter.
The Dolphins cut the lead to 16-10 with 9:09 left in the game on
a five-yard pass from Anthony Salgado to Michael Jenner.
Jacksonville had three more opportunities in the final period but
came away empty.
Charleston Southern's defense forced five turnovers, recovering
four fumbles and picking off a pass. The Bucs were led defensively
by Josh Mitchell with eight tackles. Defensive backs C.J. Hirschman
and Tavares Shorter and tackle Phil Jordan had seven tackles.
Senior end Adam Degraffenreid blocked a third quarter field goal
attempt.
CSU hits the road next week, facing North Greenville before
returning home on October 1 against Howard University.
