COLUMBIA, S.C. - Charleston Southern was unable to get traction in a tough road matchup on Saturday afternoon as the Buccaneers fell to the host South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium, 72-10.

The Buccaneers (0-2) battled through a week of adversity after moving the team to Charlotte, N.C. this past Monday to get out of the path of Hurricane Dorian. CSU spent the week practicing at both USC and the Carolina Panthers practice facility prior to Saturday's game.

South Carolina (1-1) took advantage of a trio of scores early in the first quarter, while Ryan Hilinski targeted Bryan Edwards for a pair of second quarter touchdowns on their way to racking up 775 total yards against the Bucs.

Ronnie Harris provided early CSU highlights with a 44-yard first half carry on his way to leading the Bucs with 53 yards. Quarterbacks Jack Chambers, Christian Reid, and Ross Malmgren went a combined 26-of-46 through the air for 195 yards and three interceptions.

Miller Braddock put the Bucs on the board with a 41-yard field goal in the first quarter, while Malmgren connected on a late three-yard touchdown pass to Jaquan Williams to cap the CSU scoring in the game.
 
How They Scored

• Rico Dowdle capped a nine-play, 70-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run up the middle to put the Gamecocks ahead of the Buccaneers with 11:29 remaining in the first half and put the score at 7-0 early in the contest.
• Ryan Hilinski added to the Gamecocks total with 5:58 remaining in the first quarter with a four-yard quarterback option keeper around the left end to cap a six-play, 80-yard drive.
• Ronnie Harris sparked the Bucs on their third drive of the game and Miller Braddock connected on a 41-yard field goal from the left hash mark to put the Bucs on the board with 2:47 remaining in the first quarter.
• Dakereon Joyner put the Gamecocks back on the board prior to the end of the first quarter with a six-yard touchdown run around the right end to put USC ahead 21-3.
• Hilinski found Bryan Edwards for the 10-yard touchdown connection in the end zone to cap an eight-play, 61-yard drive with 12:13 remaining in the first half to put the Gamecocks ahead 28-3.
• It was a second Hilinksi-to-Edwards connection, this one for 60-yards, that put the Gamecocks ahead 35-3 following the touchdown pass with 10:00 remaining in the first half.
• South Carolina added to its totals on Parker White's 47-yard field goal with 6:47 to play in the first half to put the Gamecocks up 38-3.
• The Gamecocks added another late score in the first half as Dowdle carried the ball in from five yards out with 34 seconds remaining to put the Gamecocks up 44-3, capping the 11-play, 86-yard drive.
• South Carolina took advantage of a CSU interception early in the third quarter to add to their lead as Kevin Harris took the ball up the middle from one yard out to extend the USC lead to 51-3 with 11:00 remaining.
• Mon Denson added to the Gamecocks lead on the first play of the fourth quarter with a 57-yard rushing touchdown.
• Harris broke free for a 45-yard touchdown run with 9:49 remaining in the fourth quarter to stretch the USC lead to 65-3.
• Ross Malmgren and Jaquan Williams cracked the seal on the end zone late in the fourth quarter with a three-yard pitch and catch to cap a 12-play, 75-yard drive that covered 6:39 to narrow the margin to 65-10.
• Harris was back in the end zone late with a 75-yard rushing touchdown to cap the scoring and provide the final margin.

Inside the Numbers

• South Carolina outgained the Buccaneers 775-267 and picked up 493 rushing yards on 38 carries in the game.
• The Gamecocks held the 29-14 first down advantage in the game.
• Ross Malmgren was 11-of-13 for 77 yards and his first touchdown in his first collegiate appearance.
• Ronnie Harris paced the Bucs with 53 rushing yards on eight carries.
• The Bucs quarterbacks targeted 12 different receivers in the game paced by Terrence Wilson's four catches for 31 yards.
• Jaquan Williams led the Bucs with 45 receiving yards on three catches.
• Kevin Harris (147) and Mon Denson (118) both had 100 rushing yards for the Gamecocks.
• Ryan Hilinski was 24-of-30 for 282 yards and two touchdowns in his first start for USC.
• Cody Cline led the Bucs with seven tackles, including a forced fumble.
• Justin McIntire recovered the fumble, while Tavian Montgomery had his first collegiate interception.
• Kyle Reighard recorded three 50-plus yard punts on the afternoon on his way to averaging 43.3 yards per attempt on the day.
• Bryan Edwards posted five catches for 112 yards and a pair of scores for the Gamecocks.

News and Notes

• Charleston Southern's preparation week was marred by Hurricane Dorian as the Bucs spent the week in Charlotte, N.C., while bussing back and forth to the Gamecocks practice facilities throughout the week. It marked the fourth consecutive season CSU has had a game or practice schedule affected due to a hurricane dating back to the 2016 season.
• CSU falls to 0-21 in FBS games dating back to the 2002 season and 0-8 against SEC foes.
• The Bucs game Saturday against the Gamecocks marked the first-ever matchup between the Palmetto State schools.
• CSU has lined up against an SEC school in each of the last three seasons and sixth time in the last six years the Bucs have faced off against a Southeastern Conference school.
• Ronnie Harris' 44-yard run in the first quarter was his second 40-plus yard carry against I his career against an SEC opponent after going 70 yards in the second quarter against Florida last season.
• South Carolina's 775 total offensive yards eclipsed the most given up by a CSU defense in program history. The Gamecocks topped the previous mark of 654 yards given up to Liberty back in 1996.

Coach's Comments
 
 
Up Next
Charleston Southern makes its home debut next weekend against North Carolina A&T at Buccaneer Field on Saturday, September 14. Kickoff between the Bucs and the Aggies is set for 6 p.m.