CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern return to Buccaneer Field this weekend as the Buccaneers welcome Savannah State for Homecoming Moncks Corner Appreciation Day on Saturday night. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
Charleston Southern vs. Savannah State
Date/Time: Saturday, October 5 at 6 p.m. ET
Tickets: General Admission
Location: Charleston, S.C. | Weather | Radar
Stadium: Buccaneer Field (4,000 Capacity)
Gates: Open at 4:30 p.m.
Parking: Lots open at 2 p.m. - $5 cash parking
TV: Big South Network on ESPN+
Live Stats: CSUSports.com
History: First Meeting
More Information: Follow us on Twitter @CSUSports and @CSUGameDay for up-to-date information on Game Day
Charleston Southern (0-4, 0-0 Big South): Head Coach Autry Denson | Roster | Schedule | Statistics | Game Notes
Savannah State (3-1, 2-0 SIAC): Head Coach Shawn Quinn | Roster | Schedule | Statistics | Game Notes
GAME DAY INFORMATION PAGE
Game Day Activities
Buc Walk: Charleston Southern continues the pregame Buc Walk this season. The team, joined by members of the band and cheer team, will walk the length of Academic Drive starting at Jones Hall and ending at the Stadium. Fans are encouraged to meet and greet the team as they prepare for kickoff starting at 3:30 p.m.
Game Day Giveaway: The Charleston Southern marketing department will be giving away hand-clappers to the first 500 fans through the gates at Saturday's game.
Food Trucks: The Charleston Southern Athletic Department welcomes several food trucks to Buccaneer Field this season as an additional source of food, while helping enhance the game day atmosphere at CSU. This weekend's game will feature: Squeals on Wheels, Caribbean Creole, Miracles Tasty Express, Donut Connection and Sanno.
Moncks Corner Appreciation: Moncks Corner residents will be able to purchase a $5 general admission ticket to Saturday's game, while kids wearing their Moncks Corner recreation uniforms will be admitted free of charge. Mayor Michael A. Lockliear will be recognized and participate in pregame festivities, including the coin toss, while members of the Moncks Corner youth leagues, first responders, and others will also be recognized throughout the game.
2019 Hall of Fame Class: Charleston Southern will be celebrating its Hall of Fame weekend with the 2019 Athletic Hall of Fame class being inducted on Friday afternoon. The class will also be recognized as a part of the game day festivities at Buccaneer Field. The 2019 inductees are Katie Tull (WBB, 2007-11), Gabrielle Houston (WT&F, 2008-12), Olga Makhova (WTEN, 2009-12), and Lavon Allen (MT&F). (Click Here for the 2019 CSU Hall of Fame Class)
Homecoming: Click here for a full list of the 2019 Charleston Southern Homecoming festivities
Charleston Southern Women's Soccer: The Buccaneers' women's soccer team continues Big South play on Saturday afternoon with a 2 p.m. kickoff against Gardner-Webb.
Game Preview
Coming Off the Bye week
Charleston Southern is back in action after the bye week as CSU hosts Savannah State to Buccaneer Field this Saturday. It marked the first week off for the Bucs in the Autry Denson era as CSU looks to bounce back from one of the most difficult stretches in program history that included a trio of ranked FCS opponents, as well as a SEC opponent. Saturday marks the first time the Bucs are lining up against a different opponent besides Elon off the bye week dating back to the 2016 season. The Bucs fell in both of their games against the Phoenix off the bye weekend. CSU picked up their last win on the field coming off a bye back in 2016 when CSU topped Monmouth, 35-7, in West Long Branch, N.J.
Familiar Face
The Buccaneers are back against another familiar face this weekend as CSU hosts Savannah State in the ninth matchup between the two programs. The Bucs are 7-1 overall against the Tigers in the series history dating back to the 2002 season. CSU won the first seven matchups against the Tigers, including a 52-27 win back in 2017 on Homecoming. The Bucs fell for the first time in the matchup last season as Savannah State held the Bucs to 33 yards rushing in the 23-3 loss to the Tigers. The Bucs are 5-0 all-time against Savannah State at home winning by a margin of 25.6 points over the stretch.
Bucs Against the SIAC
Charleston Southern has only lined up against three Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponents dating back to the 2001 season when the Bucs topped Benedict College, 20-16. CSU also lined up against Kentucky State in the 2016 season, but the Bucs' win was removed due to NCAA infractions. CSU has traditionally played against Savannah State in the Division I Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, however, the Tigers made the transition back to Division II over the summer. The Bucs are 7-1 against the Tigers overall in program history lining up against SSU every year from 2005-09, before taking on the Tigers in each of the last two seasons.
Running Game Splashes
After being held under 100 rushing yards in each of the past two games, the Buccaneers once again cracked the century mark on the ground with 176 yards on 34 carries against the Bulldogs. Both Jack Chambers (eight carries, 94 yards) and Ronnie Harris (23 carries, 93 yards) paced the way on an offense that had five different players record rushing attempts against The Citadel. CSU climbed the NCAA rankings moving to 82nd overall in FCS in rushing yards per game at 120.3 following the ground pickups against the Bulldogs, but face another tough task against the Tigers. Savannah State is 11th overall in Division II allowing just 68.8 rushing yards per game on the season.
Dialing Kam Brown
After being held silent over the first two games, redshirt senior Kameron Brown has found his way to make his impact all over the field. The Graniteville, S.C. native has posted 228 receiving yards on 15 catches, including two receiving touchdowns in the games against North Carolina A&T. Brown is fourth in the Big South in averaging 69.2 yards per game, while also sitting in the top-10 in both yards per catch and receptions. He leads a deep receiving corps that features 15 different players that have caught a pass in the 2019 season.
Chambers Provides the Spark
After sitting out the first half against The Citadel, redshirt sophomore quarterback Jack Chambers made an immediate impact on the field. Chambers picked up 71 rushing yards on his first two carries to move the Bucs within field goal range on his first drive. He followed up with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Garris Schwarting on the next drive, and put the Bucs within scoring range on the final drive. Chambers currently sits sixth in the Big South in total offense at 181.8 ypg and sixth in passing yards per game at 147.0. He is also in the top-10 in the Big South in rushing attempts.
Ronnie Harris is a Workhorse
After never recording more than 14 carries in a game, redshirt senior running back Ronnie Harris proved he could carry the offense against a stout Bulldogs defense. The Richmond Hill, Ga. native nearly doubled his season output in the past game with a career-high 23 carries for 93 yards. Harris averaged 4.0 yards per carry in the game and consistently churned out positive yards to keep the Bucs offense moving. Harris currently sits eighth in the conference in rushing yards per game, sixth in yards per carry, and is tied for fourth overall in rushing attempts.
Keeping Possession
Although Charleston Southern has turned the ball over six times through the air, the Buccaneers have kept the handle on the ball on the ground this season losing just one fumble on the year. This has helped the Bucs control the clock to the tune of 28:28 per game and pick up 65 offensive first downs. Savannah State is one of the top teams in Division II in time of possession at 33:08, which has helped the Tigers to a 3-1 record to start the season. The Bucs will need to crack a defense that is currently eighth in Division II in allowing just 13 first downs per game to keep possession in the contest.
Hitting Through the Air
There is a favorable matchup for the Buccaneers this weekend as the Air Raid with an Attitude has an opportunity to take flight against the Tigers. The Bucs average 206.0 yards passing this season behind the strong right arms of Jack Chambers and Ross Malmgren. This number includes hitting passes with 15 different receivers/running backs. Although Savannah State has been dominant against the run, the Tigers have struggled to keep the pass contained. The Tigers are allowing an average of 229.0 yards per game through the air to sit among the worst in Division II in the category.
Stopping the Run
Savannah State sits among the Division II and SIAC leaders in rushing heading into Saturday's game as the Tigers are averaging 244.3 yards per game on the ground. Eleven different ball-carriers have recorded multiple carries on the ground this season paced by D'Angelo Durham's 60, while D'Vonn Gibbons has posted 52 carries on the year. Durham paces the way with 81.0 yards per game, while Gibbons is averaging 59.3 yards per game on the ground. Overall, Savannah State sits 19th in the NCAA Division II on the season in rushing. CSU is 123rd in the FCS allowing 337.8 yards per game on the ground heading into Saturday's game.
Getting the Tigers Off the Field
Savannah State is among the Division II leaders in time of possession on the season thanks to their potent ground game. The Tigers also sit among the leaders in turnovers lost (4). Savannah State sits among the national leaders in time of possession, but sits among the nation's worst in offensive first downs with just 62 on the season through four games. The Tigers' run offense sits among the nation's best, but the passing game has been a struggle for Savannah State with just 65.0 yards per game.
Don't Relive the 2018 Game
Savannah State's rushing offense carried the way for the Tigers last season. The Tigers posted 213 rushing yards on 54 carries, averaging 3.9 yards per carry in the contest. Savannah State posted 15 first downs overall in the game and held the ball for 33:16 in the win over the Bucs. CSU will need to set the tone early in the contest on Saturday and put the past behind them as they look to pick up their eighth win in the series.
Forcing the Turnover
Charleston Southern will look to continue their efforts to gain possession on Saturday as the Buccaneers face a team that makes limited mistakes on the field. Savannah State has only turned the ball over four times through their first four games. Conversely, the Buccaneers have only forced four turnovers over the last four games with two coming back on September 7 against South Carolina. Three of the four Bucs turnovers that CSU has forced have come off fumbles, including a muffed punt return fumble against the Bulldogs in CSU's last contest. Savannah State has turned the ball over once in each game with the Tigers losing fumbles in each of their last three contests.
Controlling the Line of Scrimmage
The Bucs held their own at the line of scrimmage in their last game and will look to keep it up against another potent rush attack. CSU limited The Citadel to a season-low 197 rushing yards on 58 attempts (3.4 ypc) and just two touchdowns. The Bucs added six tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including a Nick Salley sack on their way to limiting the Bulldogs' rushing attack. Savannah State has allowed opponents to get in the backfield this season allowing an average of 8.3 tackles per loss per game. Nick Salley (5.0), Anton Williams (4.5) and Shaundre Mims (2.0) lead 10 different Buccaneers who have recorded a tackle for loss on the season.
