CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern hits the road once again as the Buccaneers head to Boiling Springs, N.C. and Gardner-Webb University for a Saturday afternoon matchup. Kickoff between the Bucs and the Runnin' Bulldogs is set for 1:30 p.m. on ESPN+.

Charleston Southern vs. Gardner-Webb
Date/Time: Saturday, November 2 at 1:30 p.m. ET

Tickets: General Admission
Location: Boiling Springs, N.C. | Weather | Radar
Stadium: Spangler Stadium (9,000 Capacity)
Gates: Open at Noon
TV: Big South Network on ESPN+
Live Stats: GWUSports.com
History: 19th Meeting (Gardner-Webb Leads 10-6, CSU won last two games)
More Information: Follow us on Twitter @CSUSports and @CSUGameDay for up-to-date information on Game Day

Charleston Southern (2-6, 0-2 Big South): Head Coach Autry Denson | Roster | Schedule | Statistics | Game Notes
Gardner-Webb (5-2, 2-0 Big South): Head Coach Carroll McCray | Roster | Schedule | Statistics | Game Notes

Game Preview

Back on the Road
Charleston Southern has been away from Buccaneer Field more often than at home this season and this weekend is no exception as the Bucs are back on the road traveling to Gardner-Webb on Saturday afternoon. It marks CSU's sixth road game of the 2019 season with the Bucs still scheduled to be back on the road on November 16 at Presbyterian. The six road games are the most for the Bucs going back to 2013 when CSU was on the road a program-record eight times. CSU has posted at least seven road games three times with the first coming back in 1993.

Last Time At Gardner-Webb
It took a Tyler Tekac 43-yard field goal as time expired to propel Charleston Southern past Gardner-Webb at Spangler Stadium back in 2017. Tekac's field goal gave the Bucs a 10-9 win over the Runnin' Bulldogs and helped offset a three field goal effort from GWU's Paul Schumacher. Anthony Ellis posted a career-high 5.5 tackle for loss game to lead CSU to their sixth win all-time over Gardner-Webb.

Big South Play Continues
Charleston Southern is 22-30 all-time in Big South Conference play dating back to the inception of the league in 2002. The Bucs have posted a program-high six wins over Gardner-Webb dating back to their first matchup, while CSU is undefeated against both Campbell (2-0) and Hampton (1-0). CSU has posted all-time losing marks against Kennesaw State (1-3), Monmouth (1-3), Presbyterian (11-14), and Gardner-Webb (6-10). The Bucs are also 1-0 against North Alabama as the Lions will be joining the Big South as full members in 2022.

Can't Stop the Run
Saturday will be a good test for the Charleston Southern rushing attack as the Buccaneers take on a Gardner-Webb run defense that has struggled to stop the competition on the ground this season. The Runnin' Bulldogs are currently ranked 124th in FCS in run defense on the year with 288.5 yards per game allowed this season. Gardner-Webb has yet to hold an opponent under 150 rushing yards on the season, while seven different opponents have picked up at least 200 yards and two touchdowns against GWU this season. The Buccaneers run game is rounding back into form with over 100 rushing yards in four of the last five games. Ronnie Harris and Jamari Dunbar both have 100-yard rushing efforts on the season, while Jack Chambers has a pair of 90-yard games, including 92 this past weekend against Monmouth. Six different Buccaneers have at least 10 carries on the season paced by Harris' 84, while four different CSU ball-carriers are averaging at least 4.0 yards per carry.   

Converting on Third Downs
One of Charleston Southern's keys to success this season has been their ability to convert on third downs. The Buccaneers enter Saturday sitting fourth in the Big South with a 37.7% conversion rate on the key "money" down, and have been near the 50.0% mark in two of the last three games. The Bucs have also picked up at least 15 first downs in each of the last six games. CSU went 10-of-20 in the loss against Kennesaw State, while picking up 8-of-17 conversions against North Alabama. Gardner-Webb has struggled to keep opponents off the field this season with the Runnin' Bulldogs allowing opponents to convert at a 44.0% clip on the key offensive down. Three of Gardner-Webb's last four opponents have converted at least 50.0% on third downs against the Runnin' Bulldogs, while six opponents overall have hit the 50.0% mark this year.

Hitting the Passing Game
Charleston Southern's passing game looks to stay on track this weekend as the Buccaneers face a Gardner-Webb pass defense that has allowed at least 200 yards through the air in each of the last three games, while also allowing at least one touchdown pass in each of the last five contests. The Bucs have connected through the air with the 'Air Raid with an Attitude' as CSU posted at least 200 yards passing in five of their last six games, while hitting for at least 190 in seven games this season. CSU put together a season-high 296 passing yards against Kennesaw State, while adding 231 last week against Monmouth. Gardner-Webb is fifth in the Big South in allowing 219.1 passing yards per game with both Hampton (357) and Monmouth (327) hitting the 300-yard passing mark against the Runnin' Bulldogs this season.

18 – Count Them
Freshman wide receiver Ben Harris became the 18th different Buccaneer to record a reception this season as the 6-5 athlete hauled in the 10-yard completion midway through the contest against Monmouth. The number continues to eclipse the 13 different receivers that hauled in receptions in the 2018 season, while three different Buccaneers have matched Kenny Dinkins' 17 receptions that led the Bucs last season. CSU has seen a number of contributors to the passing game with quarterbacks Jack Chambers, Ross Malmgren, and Christian Reid all seeing time back in the signal-calling spot. Kameron Brown (32), Isaac Ross (22), Garris Schwarting (19) and Jaquan Williams (18) are among CSU's receiving leaders this year, while Garris Schwarting joins Brown as the Bucs' 100-yard single game receivers on the season. Overall, eight different players have at least 10 receptions on the year.

Welcome Back Ronnie Harris
After a two-game hiatus, redshirt senior running back Ronnie Harris was back in the backfield this past Saturday night against Monmouth. Harris has been the Bucs' workhorse back in the run-game this season posting five games with at least 10 carries, while leading CSU in rushing in four games on the year. Harris posted his first collegiate 100-yard rushing game and CSU's first century-mark run game this season with 18 carries for 120 yards back on October 5 against Savannah State. He also posted 23 carries for 93 yards against The Citadel in the loss to the Bulldogs. Harris posted a team-high 11 carries for 33 yards and added three receptions for 24 yards in the pass game this past week against Monmouth. He leads a talented stable of backs that include Terrence Wilson (44 carries, 195 yards) and Jamari Dunbar (39 carries, 147 yards). Overall, the Bucs sit fifth in the Big South in rushing offense on the year averaging 145.3 yards per game.

Jack Chambers – Back to the Dual Threat
Redshirt sophomore Jack Chambers has shown off his ability to both pass, as well as contribute to the ground game this season as the Lilburn, Ga. native has posted at least 300 yards of total offense in two of the last three games. Chambers posted a career-high 296 passing yards and added 29 rushing yards back on October 12 on the road against Kennesaw State. The 5-10 athlete added 231 yards and 92 rushing this past week against Monmouth. Overall on the season, Chambers has averaged 29.8 pass attempts and 8.9 rushing attempts per game on the year and is averaging 224.4 yards of total offense per game this season. Chambers' numbers sit him fifth in the Big South in total offense per game on the year, while the redshirt sophomore quarterback trails only Monmouth's Kenji Bahar in total offensive plays this season with 309.

Facing Another Balanced Attack
Saturday marks the third week in a row Charleston Southern will be facing a mostly balanced offensive attack as the Buccaneers defense takes on the Runnin' Bulldogs offense. The Bucs faced off against a trio of run-option attacks early in the year in Furman, The Citadel, and Kennesaw State. Over the last two weeks, North Alabama and Monmouth had their passing/rushing games nearly at an even split this season, which is a welcome respite for the Bucs. Gardner-Webb will be the third consecutive team that will feature that balance as the Runnin' Bulldogs enter Saturday posting 203.4 passing yards per game and 121.8 rushing yards per game this year. GWU skews slightly heavier toward the run with 282 carries on the season, compared to 205 passing attempts. The Runnin' Bulldogs are fifth in the Big South in passing offense and seventh in rushing in the 2019 season.

Taking It Away from a Controlling Offense
Gardner-Webb dealt with some early season issues as the Runnin' Bulldogs posted six interceptions over the first five games of the season. GWU posted a combined five interceptions in back-to-back games against East Carolina and N.C. Central, while also giving up a pick against Western Carolina. The Runnin' Bulldogs have yet to throw an interception in three Big South games this season as their quarterback duo of Kalen Whitlow and Jordan Smith have posted a combined 1,627 yards in 205 attempts. Charleston Southern's defense has become more opportunistic over the last four games with the Buccaneers recording five of their six interceptions over the last four games. Included in the stretch was a trio of picks against North Alabama, while Darin Smalls has three interceptions on the year against Savannah State, North Alabama, and Monmouth. The Runnin' Bulldogs are tied for second in the Big South in fewest interceptions on the season.

Stopping Devron Harper and Jayln Cagle
Gardner-Webb posts a two-headed challenge for the Charleston Southern defense in running back Jayln Cagle and wide receiver Devron Harper. The GWU duo are both in the top-60 in FCS in all-purpose yards this season with Harper sitting 10th in the country with 142.5 yards per game, while Cagle is 58th with 110.9 yards per game on the year. Harper has been a mainstay in the Gardner-Webb return game averaging 27.2 yards per game on kickoff return, while adding 7.0 yards per punt return. He's been his most dangerous in the receiving game with 24 catches for 444 yards and a touchdown. Cagle is the Big South's third-leading rusher on the season with 88.1 yards per game and is tied for second in the Big South with eight rushing touchdowns. Cagle has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in each of the last two games, while posting a season-high 141 against N.C. Central. The Bucs will need to mark both athletes on the field at all times to prevent the big play that has plagued CSU from time to time as the Bucs have allowed at least seven 60-yard plays this season.

Bulldozing the Offensive Line
Redshirt sophomore Shaundre Mims had the game of a lifetime this past Saturday as the Vanceboro, N.C. native bulldozed his way to the first three-sack game of his career. Mims took over the Bucs sack lead for the season as he recorded quarterback takedowns in the first, second, and fourth quarters, with his final sack ending a Monmouth drive on the CSU side of the field. Mims surpassed Nick Salley (2.0) and Anton Williams (2.0) for the Bucs' sack lead on the season and moved up into fourth in the Big South in total sacks on the season with 4.0. His trio of sacks in the game marked just the sixth time in CSU history that one played posted three sacks in a contest and was the Bucs' first game since Will Hunt picked up 3.0 against North Greenville back on October 5, 2013. Prior to that, the previous 3.0 sack game came back in the 2001 season when Ryan West also picked up 3.0 against North Greenville. The Bucs have posted at least one sack in six of their eight games this season.

Sosebee Keeps Climbing - 254
J.D. Sosebee became just the 10th player in Charleston Southern history to achieve 250 career tackles this past weekend as the redshirt senior moved past both Aaron Brown (243, 2012-15) and Bill Barteld (250, 1991-94) into ninth place all-time with 254 tackles. Sosebee's career-high 14 tackle game this past Saturday included nine solo stops and five assisted tackles for his second double-digit tackle game of the season. Sosebee previously hit 13 tackles back on September 26 against The Citadel. The Gainesville, Ga. native has been among the Big South's tackling leaders in each of the last three seasons and he currently sits seventh overall in the conference with 8.0 tackles per game. Sosebee has posted nine career double-digit tackling games in his career. CSU Hall of Famer Jada Ross holds the CSU and Big South all-time record for career tackles with 454 over his career with the Bucs, but Sosebee can continue to climb into the top-five as he currently sits 25 tackles behind Josh Mitchell (279, 2004-08) for fifth-place in the CSU career record books.

Cline Reaches Double-Digits
Another of the Big South's premier tacklers hit double-digits on Saturday as freshman safety Cody Cline reached 10 total tackles for the first time of his collegiate career against Monmouth. Cline started off his collegiate career with at least six tackles in each of the first four games, but had hit a miniature tackling slump over the last three games with just four tackles against Savannah State, three against Kennesaw State, and four against North Alabama. The Concord, N.C. native was back on track early against Monmouth on his way to tying his season-high with seven solo tackles, while adding three assists on the day. Cline also added his third pass breakup of the season against the Hawks. Cline is currently sitting just outside the top-10 in the conference in tackles per game with 6.5 per game. Cline is the conference's leading freshman tackler on the season and by-far eclipses Hampton's DeAndre Faulk (4.8 tpg) as the next highest freshman tackler in the Big South this season.

Salley/Williams against the Gardner-Webb O-Line
Gardner-Webb's offensive line has struggled to keep their quarterbacks upright this season as the Runnin' Bulldogs sit sixth in the conference with 3.13 sacks per game, as well as fifth in allowing 6.38 tackles for loss. Opponents have posted at least one sack in every game against the Runnin' Bulldogs this season, while five opponents have recorded at least three sacks in a game against GWU. The Bucs are coming off their second four-sack game of the year paced by Shaundre Mims' three quarterback takedowns against the Monmouth Hawks. Seven different Buccaneers have posted at least one sack this season with Mims (4.0), Nick Salley (2.0), and Anton Williams (2.0) leading CSU on the season. Salley (11.0 TFL) and Williams (7.0 TFL) both sit among the Big South's leaders in tackles for loss this season with Salley pacing the league with 1.38 tackles for loss per game. The Bucs duo have posted the most tackles for loss by a defensive line pairing this season, eclipsing the mark by Kennesaw State's Joel Parker and Desmond Johnson (16.0 TFL).

Usry with 10 in a Row
Alex Usry continues to climb in the CSU single season record book as the redshirt sophomore is currently tied for the Big South lead with 12 field goals on the season. Usry has converted 10 field goals in a row and has booted two of the Big South's three 50-yard field goals this season as he connected on a 50-yard attempt against Kennesaw State, while hitting from 52 against North Alabama. Usry is currently tied with Tyler Tekac (12, 2018) with 12 field goals made on the season and currently sits just four field goals behind John Paglia (16, 2009) for CSU's single season mark. The Big South single season field goal mark is 22 converted by Liberty's Matt Blevins back in the 2009 season. There is currently a four-way tie among placekickers for ninth all-time in a single season in Big South history with 15 made field goals with Liberty's Alex Probert the last to reach the mark in 2016.

Reighard setting Big South Records
Charleston Southern redshirt punter Kyle Reighard has entrenched his place in Big South history this season as the Salem, Va. native booted his 30th and 31st career 50-yard punts this past Saturday against Monmouth. The duo pushed into sole possession of first place in conference history in 50-yard punts as he drilled his 12th and 13th of the season. Reighard currently sits just behind North Alabama's Joe Gurley (43.9 ypk) on the season with a 43.3 yards per punt average on the year and has dropped 13 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line this season. He also booted a Big South leading 72-yard punt earlier this season against Savannah State.