NASHVILLE – Tennessee State beat Charleston Southern in the Bucs' conference opener by a low scoring, final score of 13-9 under the lights of the Tennessee Titans' Nissan Stadium on Saturday evening. A late touchdown by the Tigers gave them the lead with 46 seconds remaining which proved to be the game-winning score. 
 
Both teams struggled to get their offenses rolling in the first half until each team was able to find points late in the half. Tennessee State got the first points of the evening between the teams as they had a ten-play, 62-yard drive that was capped off with a seven-yard passing touchdown from Draylen Ellis to Bryant Williams with 5:09 left in the second quarter.
 
On the following possession, Gilbert Brown booted a 72-yard punt than pinned the Tigers at their own four-yard line. Tennessee State went three and out and gave CSU the ball back at midfield. The Buccaneers were able to drive the ball down the field and set Montgomery up for a 37-yard field goal to give CSU their first points of the day with 29 seconds remaining in the half.
 
During the ensuing kickoff, the Tigers took the ball out of the endzone, and Trayson Fowler knocked the ball loose for a fumble which Kimo Hiu recovered to set the Bucs up for another field goal. Montgomery lined up for what ended up being another 37-yarder which he made with ease to send the teams into the halftime break with the Tigers leading 7-6.
 
In the third quarter, Kaleb Jackson led the Bucs down the field for a nine-play, 58-yard drive which they were able to bring inside the Tigers' five. Montgomery came out for his third attempt of the night with this one being from 20 yards out which he made as well, giving the Buccaneers their first lead of the game at 9-7.
 
For the rest of the game, the teams continued to trade field position, as each tried to move into field-goal range. Charleston Southern was close to scoring another during the fourth quarter, but the ball was knocked loose at the one, allowing the Tigers to keep it as a two-point game.
 
Later in the quarter, Tennessee State got the ball back at their own eight after a 53-yard punt by Brown pinned the Tigers deep yet again. Since their touchdown drive in the second, they had gone three and out on each of their five drives since. On a fourth-and six at their own 48, TSU was able to extend their drive due to a defensive pass interference call. The 92-yard drive ended up being capped off with a 19-yard touchdown run by Jordan Gant to take the lead at 13-9 with the two-point conversion failing.
 
Tyson Greenwade returned the kickoff to the 30-yardline. On the first play of the drive, Jackson was sacked forcing CSU to burn their final timeout. On the final play of the game, the Buccaneers completed a short pass and after a few laterals brought the ball down to the TSU 22 as the clock hit 0s ending the game at 13-9, Tennessee State
 
NOTABLES:

• The Buccaneers move to 1-1 all-time against Tennessee State as CSU won the first matchup between the squads a season ago in Charleston.
• Gilbert Brown's 72-yard punt is tied for the 7^th longest punt at the FCS level this year.
• Autavius Ison's 33 carries in the contest rank as tied for the third most in a single game at the FCS level this year.
• Autavius Ison's 157 rushing yards in the game marked the 25^th most by a player at the FCS level this year.
• Kaleb Jackson recorded career-highs in all offensive statistical categories.

 
Charleston Southern will be back in action next weekend for their second home game of the season and first contest at Buccaneer Field in conference play. The Buccaneers will host Western Illinois on Saturday, October 5 at 4:00 p.m. which mark be part of the university's Homecoming weekend.