SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Charleston Southern football found themselves in a battle Saturday afternoon with Bryant on the road, as a blocked field goal attempt as time expired gave the Buccaneers their first win of the 2022 campaign.

BABBUSH KNOWS BEST
The Charleston Southern placekicker was responsible for the first points of the contest for either team, as the redshirt sophomore split the uprights from 46 yards out with just over six minutes to go in the first quarter to give the Bucs the early lead. The first quarter field goal stands as the fifth time in six games that Babbush has converted on a field goal in the contest.

STAYIN' WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE
The Buccaneers found themselves down 13-3 late in the first half, but a late score brought CSU to within three as JD Moore broke the plane from just a yard out in the final seconds of the half. Moore's touchdown capped off a drive that lasted 12 plays and traveled 79 yards down the field in just over two minutes to turn the momentum in the favor of the visitors.

WHEN IT MATTERS
Bryant held the lead for most of the contest after Ethan Gettman's second field goal of the contest midway through the second quarter, but it was Charleston Southern that would have the biggest score of the game. Tony Bartalo hooked up with Seth Anderson from 39 yards out with just under a minute to play to give the Bucs their first lead since the Babbush field goal in the first. Bartalo was efficient in that game-winning drive, using just 1:18 of game clock to travel 65 yards. 

BRICK BY BRICK
The Special Teams unit was called on to make one final play as Bryant had a look from 32 yards out and just three ticks left to win it, but Jeremiah McClendon and CSU answered the call. McClendon jumped the snap and got a hand on Gettman's attempt as time expired to preserve the one-point advantage and leave Rhode Island with the Bucs first win on the season.

NUMBERS, NUMBERS AND MORE NUMBER
JD Moore and TJ Ruff made up CSU backfield this afternoon, as the two backs recorded a combined 85 yards while Moore laid claim to the lone score on the ground. Bartalo looked sharp through the air, completing 19 of 35 attempts for 210 yards and two scores. Cayden Jordan hauled in six passes for 85 yards, but it was Anderson and Ja'Rell Smith the made up Bartalo's two scores through the air.

On the defensive side of the ball, Charleston Southern recorded seven TFLs with Garrett Sayegh leading the way with three of his own. Anton Williams had a day as well, amassing six solo stops as well as two TFLs, a sack, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry. 

RECORDS
Charleston Southern: 1-5, 1-1 Big South
Bryant: 2-5, 0-2 Big South

UP NEXT
The squad will head back to Charleston next weekend as they will celebrate Homecoming while playing hosts to Gardner-Webb under the lights Saturday, October 22. The Big South clash is set to kick at 6:00 p.m. in front of the home fans at Buccaneer Field.