CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern football makes their 2021 spring debut at Buccaneer Field this weekend as the Buccaneers welcome Big South newcomer Robert Morris to Buccaneer Field for a mid-day kickoff. Game time between the Bucs and the Colonials is set for 12:05 p.m. and will be carried on ESPN+.

Charleston Southern vs. Robert Morris
Date/Time: Saturday, April 10 at 12:05 p.m. ET

Tickets: Home Team Pass List and Student Raffle
Location: Charleston, S.C. | Weather | Radar
Stadium: Buccaneer Field (750 Capacity)
Gates: Open at 11 a.m. (60 minutes prior to kickoff)
Parking: Free Parking available
TV: 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 (0-2, 0-2 Big South): Head Coach Autry Denson | Roster | Schedule | Statistics | Game Notes
Robert Morris (0-2, 0-1 Big South): Head Coach Bernard Clark Jr. | Roster | Schedule | Statistics

Game Day Activities
Game Attendance/Fan Capacity: Due to Charleston Southern's existing COVID-related policies, attendance at all home CSU football games will be limited to the home team pass list, select student tickets received through the student raffle, and special guest passes. General admission tickets will not be sold and people not on the pass list will not be allowed within the facility. In working with CSU's on-campus Pandemic Task Force and in conjunction with the CDC's guidelines, the fan capacity for Saturday's game against Robert Morris is limited to 750 fans.

Student Tickets: The CSU Athletic Department has allotted 100 tickets to the Charleston Southern student-body for this weekend's game. Students are able to sign up to the raffle, which began on Monday, April 5, and will carry through the end of the week until the available allotment runs out. Social distancing will be enforced and masks are required to be worn at all times.

Clear Bag Policy: Charleston Southern changed its stadium security regulations in 2017 and will limit fans to one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon, clear, resealable plastic storage bag per person. Fans are also allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Wallets must also conform to this size requirement. No other bags will be allowed inside. All items, including clear bags and clutch purses, are subject to search at the gates. No items can be left or stored at the gates. Permitted-Non-Permitted Bags Graphic

Free Parking: Charleston Southern Athletics has suspended its regular parking fees for the entirety of the 2021 spring football season. Parking will be on a first-come, first-serve basis in the paved lot in front of the stadium, as well as the grass lot across Buc Club Blvd.

Gates Open: Gates to the Whitfield Stadium Center and Buccaneer Field will open 60 minutes prior to kickoff (11 a.m.) throughout the entirety of the 2021 spring football season. The emphasis will be to limit crowding at the gates in accordance to COVID policies and CDC guidelines.

Seating in the Stadium: All seating within Buccaneer Field will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. All seating is clearly marked by parties of four and social distancing will be enforced throughout the stadium. Masks will also be required to be worn at all times.

Game Preview
Home Debuts
It's been a long time coming, but Charleston Southern will make its football home debut for the 2021 spring season this Saturday as the Buccaneers welcome Robert Morris to Buccaneer Field. The Bucs will host RMU and Gardner-Webb in back-to-back weekends to close out the spring slate as CSU concludes their four scheduled games this spring. CSU is 0-1 all-time in their home debuts in the Autry Denson era with the Bucs falling last season to North Carolina A&T, 27-21. It also marks the first time in program history the Bucs have opened the home portion of their schedule with a conference opponent.

Robert Morris Joins Big South
The Big South Conference has added Robert Morris as an associate member in football effective with the 2021 season announced over the summer. Robert Morris will become the Big South's ninth football member in 2021, which will also mark the league's 20th season of football as well as its largest membership on the gridiron. Upon entry, the Colonials will be immediately eligible for the conference championship and automatic berth to the FCS playoffs. The Colonials, who began football at the FCS level in 1994 and have competed as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) since 1996, will make the necessary upgrades to meet the requirements of being a full scholarship FCS program in 2021.

First Time Matchup
The Charleston Southern-Robert Morris matchup marks the first time the two opponents have faced off in their respective histories and also the first time CSU has faced off against an opponent that has started with an "R". The Bucs' streak continues this spring as well as CSU will take on a first-time opponent for the 30th consecutive season dating back to the program starting collegiate competition in 1991. CSU was originally supposed to continue its streak with fall 2020 competition against Mercer and Arkansas, but with season being called due to COVID-related concerns, the Bucs instead continue their streak against conference newcomer Robert Morris this weekend.

About the Colonials
Robert Morris is in the midst of its first season as member of the Big South Conference this spring season. The Colonials were scheduled to join the conference in the fall 2021 season, but due to COVID-related matters, RMU made the early switch to join the Big South this spring after several decades of playing in the Northeast Conference.

Robert Morris has won six Northeast Conference championships in football -- including the league's first five titles from 1996-00, in addition to 2010.  The Colonials claimed the NEC's first-ever automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs in 2010, and has had 14 student-athletes earn 17 major Northeast Conference awards and 156 total All-NEC plaudits since 1996, in addition to 13 All-Americans -- including former tight end Matthew Gonzalez in 2019.

The Colonials are coached by Bernard Clark Jr., who was introduced as the program's third head coach on Dec. 19, 2017.  In two seasons, Clark has returned RMU to its early prominence, as the squad went 7-5 in 2019 and finished second in the Northeast Conference with a 6-1 record.  Former New York Jets head coach Joe Walton served as the first head coach in Robert Morris history from 1994-2013, and compiled a 114-92-1 overall record in 20 seasons with a 73-47 ledger in NEC games along with the six conference championships and trips to the ECAC Bowl (1996, 1997) and the FCS Playoffs (2010).

The Colonials were selected to finish tied for fourth overall in the conference's preseason poll. RMU received 16 total points in the poll compiled by the league's head coaches and media panel.
RMU enters the weekend sitting with a 0-2 record in the spring season with a 0-1 mark in Big South Conference play. The Colonials opened the year with a 36-16 loss to James Madison in the opener, before falling this past weekend at Kennesaw State, 35-0.

George Martin paces the RMU passing attack going 23-of-49 through the air for 216 yards and a touchdown. His favorite target has been receiver D'Andre Hicks with 12 catches for 110 yards through two games. Jerry Hanks Jr. boasts the team's lone touchdown reception on the season. Alijah Jackson leads the RMU rushing offense with 45 carries for 143 yards and a score on the season.

Defensively, linebacker Aniello Buzzacco paces the Robert Morris defense with 12.5 tackles per game, while adding 1.5 tackles for loss on the year. Lorenzo Euline has also added 8.0 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while Euline and Sydney Audiger have RMU's sacks.

Chambers Career Day
Jack Chambers continued his assault on the Charleston Southern record book in the Buccaneers' last game as the redshirt junior posted his first collegiate 300-yard passing effort and the Bucs' first 300-yard game since Austin Brown threw for 301 yards against Liberty back in the 2015 season. Chambers went 31-of-48 for a career-high 341 yards against the Hawks with all three numbers sitting among the Bucs' single game records.

Chambers' 31 completions tied with Collin Drafts' 31-completions against Gardner-Webb back in the 2006 season for the second-most in a CSU single game. His 48 attempts put him in a three-way tie for sixth all-time with Sidney Bryant (Presbyterian – 2007) and Richard Mounce (Coastal Carolina – 2011). His 341 yards left him 11th all-time and was just CSU's 18th 300-yard passing effort in program history.

Through two games this spring Chambers has climbed into sixth all-time in CSU career passing yards (2,774) and seventh in career touchdown passes (17) with the Bucs. He's targeted 11 different receivers for 501 yards and three touchdowns on the year.

Finding Cayden Jordan
The Buccaneers knew they had brought another talented weapon into the field when Cayden Jordan signed with the program back in 2018 by way of Gaither High School in Tampa, Fla. After two injury shortened seasons, the 6-2 redshirt sophomore is making his presence felt more and more with each passing week.

Jordan had a quiet redshirt freshman season and made his way onto the field late last year with a two-yard reception against Presbyterian in the next-to-last game of the 2019 regular season. From there, he developed a quick chemistry with Chambers and the duo have turned into one of the most prolific combinations in the Big South this spring season. Jordan has caught touchdowns in each of the two games this spring season against Kennesaw State and Monmouth and added his first collegiate 100-yard receiving effort two weeks ago against the Hawks.

His four-catch,108-yard receiving game marked the Bucs' first 100-yard game of the season. Throughout the contest, Jordan recorded big plays as he hauled in a key 21-yard reception down the sideline just before the half that led to his 16-yard touchdown catch just before the break. He added a 59-yard reception late in the third quarter for the Bucs' longest catch of the season. Jordan leads the Big South with 25.2 yards per catch on the season.

Reaching Double-Digits
Geoffrey Wall broke into elite company in the Buccaneers' last game against Monmouth as the senior wide receiver posted his first collegiate double-digit receiving effort with 10 catches for 66 yards against the Hawks. The High Point, N.C. native posted just the 21st 10-catch game in program history and CSU's first game to hit the mark since Nathan Perera posted 10 receptions back in the 2012 season against Jacksonville.

Wall has been explosive throughout his career on the field, while his steady hands have made him a favorite of the CSU quarterbacks over the last few seasons. Last year Wall was on pace for a career season with 13 catches and 109 yards through three games which included a seven-game, 80-yard effort in the season-opener against Furman.

So far this season, Wall is tied for the conference lead with seven catches per game, while sitting seventh in the Big South with 54.5 yards per game. He also currently sits just one catch away from his 50th career reception after entering the 2021 spring with 35 catches over his first three seasons.

Demetrius Settling In
Another name defenses are having to account for on a week-to-week basis is 2021 breakout candidate Demetrius Jones. The 6-4 junior wide receiver has filled in the gap left by Kameron Brown this spring and has excelled over the Bucs' first two games with nine catches for 83 yards. Jones has nearly matched his 2019 season total of 13 catches and 214 yards, which included his first 100-yard receiving effort last year against Hampton (three catches, 117 yards)

Jones has teamed up with Cayden Jordan to provide a pair of strong outside receivers for the Bucs this spring and is coming off a career-effort against Monmouth. The Jacksonville, N.C. native posted a career-high seven catches for 46 yards and has found his niche in the Bucs' mid-range passing game with a number of catches coming for first downs throughout the year.

He has yet to find the end zone this season, but Jones continues to receive a steady diet of catches and will look to get on track this weekend against a Robert Morris defense that has surrendered two touchdown catches this season – including a 33-yard reception this past weekend against Kennesaw State.

Getting the Run Game On Track
The Bucs' trio of running backs in Kendrick Bell, Terrence Wilson, and Jamari Dunbar all look to build off strong campaigns by each of the trio in 2019. Wilson was the Bucs' go-to back over the first two games with the Leesville, S.C. native taking 17 of CSU's 55 carries in the season, while Bell added six of touches for 21 yards.

All three of the aforementioned trio boast 100-yard rushing efforts in their careers and will be expected to continue to carry the ball this spring. Wilson was the Bucs' leading rusher in the 2018 season with 100-yard games against both Hampton and Gardner-Webb, while Dunbar (North Alabama) and Bell (Presbyterian, Campbell) also have 100-yard rushing games to their credit. CSU averaged 2.0 yards per carry through the first two games of the season.

Offensive Line
Gone are veteran All-Conference guards in Zack Evans and Stephen Haralambis, but Assistant Head Coach Aaron Coeling has to feel pretty confident in his group this season as he returns a trio of players that earned preseason recognition from various groups. Preston Nichols, Daviyon McDaniel, and JT Melton all return to headline the group that will lead the Bucs' battle in the trenches.

All three Bucs are shifting positions this season as Nichols moves from right to left tackle, McDaniel from left tackle to left guard, and Melton from center to right guard. All three provide veteran experience with over 60 starts combined among the trio across the line. Jacob Tylski (center) and Bailey Ottaway (right tackle) are expected to draw the start on opening day with the trio, while freshmen Darius Meeks, Caleb Eichelberger, and Lee Mathews could also see time on the field early this season.

McIntire's Career Day
One game after setting a career-high with 10 tackles in the season-opener against Kennesaw State, senior linebacker Justin McIntire again raised the bar against Monmouth. The Lexington, Ky. native recorded his second consecutive double-digit tackling effort of the season with a career-high 15 tackles as well as 2.0 tackles for loss against the Hawks.

McIntire started the game strong with eight tackles in the first half, but made his presence particularly felt throughout the Bucs' fourth-quarter comeback attempt. He put together five tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in helping CSU's defense shut down the Hawks over the last 15 minutes.

For the season, McIntire is tied for the Big South lead with 12.5 tackles per game with Robert Morris' Aniello Buzzacco. Although he has yet to be involved in a turnover yet, McIntire is the conference's returning leader with five turnovers recovered, including two interceptions and three fumble recoveries in 2019.

Attacking the Line of Scrimmage
Paced by a trio of All-American candidates up front, as well as a veteran linebacking crew, the Buccaneers' defense continues to bottle up opponents at the line of scrimmage this season. Charleston Southern is averaging 8.0 tackles for loss over their two games this year against Kennesaw State and Monmouth.

The Bucs are coming off their strongest defensive season in program history and would be poised to surpass their total of 95.0 TFL last season if they were to play the full 12-game slate this year. Currently Shaundre Mims sits among the conference's tackle for loss leaders this season with 3.5 on the year, while Nick Salley (2.5) and Anton Williams (2.0) both sit just outside the conference leaders through the Bucs' first two games.

CSU's experienced front has featured nine different players to be a part of a tackle for loss this season, while Williams (2.0), Mims (0.5), and Salley (0.5) have combined for the Bucs' three sacks through the first two games. The Bucs' defensive front takes on a Robert Morris unit that has surrendered 15.0 tackles for loss and four sacks on the season.

Anton Sack-Streak Continues
Charleston Southern junior defensive end Anton Williams continued his quarterback-hunting ways at the start of the 2021 season. The Marianna, Fla. native ran his sack streak to six consecutive games dating back to the Gardner-Webb game on November 2, 2019, as he has posted eight sacks over his last six outings.

Williams broke out in a major way in the 2019 season as the junior defensive end recorded 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks over his first three games of the season against North Carolina A&T, The Citadel, and Savannah State. He closed the season similar to how he started with 10.0 tackles for loss and six sacks over the final four games of the season, while also adding an interception and a fumble recovery.

Williams picked up CSU's lone sack of the game against the Owls after breaking through the line and taking down KSU quarterback Jonathan Murphy in the second quarter. He added a career-high 14 tackles in the contest. He kept the streak alive this past weekend with one of CSU's two sacks against Monmouth.

Mims in the Backfield
The preseason All-American defensive lineman lived up to the hype in the first game of the 2021 spring season as Shaundre Mims was attacking the ball early and often against Kennesaw State. On one play, Mims wrapped up KSU quarterback Jonathan Murphy before he had taken two steps into his drop-back to stall an Owls' drive as the Vanceboro, N.C. native continues to show off his explosiveness on the interior of the CSU defensive line.

Mims tied his career high with 3.0 tackles for loss in the opener against Kennesaw State as he continues one of the most dominant stretches in Big South Conference history. The junior defensive tackle has recorded 12.5 tackles for loss over his last seven conference games dating back to the 2019 matchup against Monmouth, with four of those games multi-TFL efforts. Mims' three tackles for loss also marked the eighth time a Buccaneer has posted 3.0-or-more tackles for loss in the Autry Denson tenure.

Mims added three more tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks this past week against Monmouth as the junior defensive tackle continues to sit among the Big South leaders in tackles for loss on the year. So far this season, he's also posted a new career-high with 12 tackles against Kennesaw State, doubling his previous career-high of six tackles established in the 2019 season finale against Campbell.

Cline Patrolling Deep
Cody Cline has lived up to his preseason hype this year with the sophomore safety once again sitting among the Big South's defensive back leaders through the first two games of the year. Cline is currently tied for the conference lead among DB's with 9.5 tackles per game with Campbell's Darion Slade, while posting his first double-digit tackling effort of the season in the opener against Kennesaw State.

Cline's 14 tackles in the opener against Kennesaw State marked a career-high for the sophomore safety. He followed up with five more tackles and his second tackle for loss of the season against Monmouth in the Bucs' most recent contest.
Cline continues to help pace a defensive resurgence on the Bucs' backline after a strong freshman campaign that ended with him boasting HERO Sports Freshman All-American honors and SC Hall of Fame Preseason recognition. Cline was also named the top returning defensive back in the Big South by HERO Sports and will look to continue his ball-hawking ways this season as he guides a mostly new group on the field this season under coaches Greg Moss and Tavarius Jackson.

Forcing the Turnover Game
One year after leading the Big South Conference and sitting 13th in the NCAA in turnovers gained, the Buccaneers have struggled at getting opponents to cough the ball up this season. Through the first two games of the 2021 season, the Bucs have yet to force their first turnover of the spring with both Kennesaw State and Monmouth not coughing up the ball to CSU in their competition.

The Bucs paced the Big South Conference in interceptions (14), while sitting third in fumbles recovered (11) in the 2019 season and boasted one of the top turnover margins in the NCAA at +0.25 (39th) in FCS. CSU currently sits 87th in FCS at a -1.50 turnover margin on the year.

CSU will look to get back on track this weekend as the Buccaneers face off against a Robert Morris team that has turned the ball over three times this year, including a 75-yard interception returned for a touchdown. The Colonials also coughed up a fumble in the loss to the Owls.

Usry Special Teams Player of the Week
Charleston Southern redshirt junior placekicker Alex Usry earned Big South Football Special Teams Player of the Week honors as announced by the conference office following the Bucs' game against Monmouth. The McDonough, Ga. native earned the accolades for the first time in the spring 2021 season after receiving the honors on four separate occasions in the 2019 season on his way to being named the 2019 Big South Special Teams Player of the Year. Usry was perfect in his long field goal attempt on the week as he converted a 34-yard attempt in the first quarter this past Saturday against Monmouth. He also connected on both extra points in the loss to the Hawks.

Braddock Bouncing Back
Miller Braddock shook off the rust that was apparent in his first game of the 2021 spring season and more than made up for it against Monmouth as the senior punter shifted the field position several times in the contest against the Hawks. The Hartsville, S.C. native connected on several long kicks, including a career-long 50-yard attempt in the Bucs' loss, while averaging 42.8 yards per attempt.

He opened up the Monmouth contest with a 46-yard punt on CSU's second possession of the contest to highlight what was one of the top punting games in the conference this season. He added punts of 40, 50, and 39 over the second half on his way to a career-best punting average. Braddock is currently fourth in the Big South with a 38.5 punting average on the year.

Ray Snaps Away
It's not often that a college football program can boast an All-American long snapper. It's even less often when the same program can boast two in the span of five years. Charleston Southern can make that claim after Boiling Springs, S.C. native Ethan Ray received the award from two different organizations heading into the season. Ray received STATS FCS Perform All-American and Phil Steele All-American honors in the preseason and headlines a specialist unit that includes the reigning Big South Conference Special Teams Player of the Year in Alex Usry.

Ray is coming off a standout campaign that included earning National Player of the Week recognition against Gardner-Webb. Ray recovered two fumbles in the game against the Runnin' Bulldogs to highlight a season that featured a perfect snapping record. He also was influential in both the punting and kicking games as CSU set records in both punt average, most field goals, and the longest field goal in program history, while also leading the team in downed punts and punt coverage.