RALEIGH, N.C. – Charleston Southern football fell in its second clash with a Top-25 team in its last three contests Saturday afternoon, as No. 18 North Carolina State top the visiting Bucs 55-3 at Carter-Finley Stadium.

FIRST DRIVE NOISE
The Bucs won the toss and deferred to the second half as NC State elected to receive the ball to open the contest. After collecting a first down on the second play from scrimmage, the Charleston Southern defense stood tall and forced the Wolfpack to settle for three points. Ross Malmgren and the CSU offense looked to answer after picking up a first down on the second play as well, but the drive stalled and a punt ensued.

SPECIAL TEAMS SHINE
The lone points for Charleston Southern came from the special teams unit, as Sam Babbush converted from 48 yards out in the middle of the third to but the Bucs on the board. Babbush made the most of his opportunity, as the conversion came on his lone attempt on the afternoon. David Gelb also shined, recording an average just over 45 yards per punt, including a long of 52 to add to three settling inside the 20.

HIGH VOLUME RECEIVING CORPS
The Charleston Southern receivers were called on multiple times on the evening as Malmgren and Isaiah Bess completed passes to seven different targets. Vinson Davis hauled in nine passes for 35 yards, while Seth Anderson led the way with 40 yards on five catches. Cayden Jordan marked the third receiver to catch more than one pass, as his afternoon resulted in four catches for 31 yards.

DEFENSE LEADING TO POINTS
The lone forced turnover for the Charleston Southern defense resulted in the lone score for the Bucs, as a fumble recovery in Wolfpack territory set up the three points just a minute later. Shary Jefferson got credit with the forced fumble to allow Chavon Fields to fall on the loose ball and flip the field for the CSU offense.

HISTORY VS. THE FBS
The setback is the 26th in as many tries for the Buccaneers all-time against FBS schools, including 0-4 under Denson. CSU is 0-16 against 'Power 5' opponents, schools which are members of the Atlantic Coast, Big Ten, Big 12, Southeastern and Pac-12 conferences.

RECORDS
Charleston Southern: 0-2
North Carolina State: 2-0

UP NEXT
Head Coach Autry Denson and his bunch will play their second-straight contest on the road a week from today as Charleston Southern will head to Richmond, Kentucky to take on Eastern Kentucky on September 17. The contest is set for a 6:00 p.m. start under the lights at Roy Kidd Stadium.