MARTIN, TENN. – Charleston Southern dropped their final road contest of the 2025 season on Saturday at UT Martin by a final score of 17-14. Rashawn Cunningham had one of the biggest performances of the season as he had 216 receiving yards off seven receptions. This marked the third-most in school history as well as the fourth-most in OVC/Big South history and in the FCS so far this season.
 
Neither offense was able to get on the scoreboard in the first half, going into halftime with the score knotted at 0-0. Charleston Southern missed a field goal in the first quarter, while UT Martin missed one in the second quarter.
 
The Buccaneers had the ball to begin the second half but turned it over on their opening possession with an interception. UT Martin was able to turn it into points as Jase Bauer found a wide-open Scottie Alexander on third down after escaping the pocket for a 52 yard touchdown and the 7-0 edge.
 
The Bucs responded immediately with Zolten Osborne connecting with Cunningham down the sideline for a 73-yard pitch and catch touchdown. Following the made PAT, this brought the game level to seven apiece.
 
UT Martin regained the lead near the beginning of the fourth quarter with a converted field goal from 34 yards out to go ahead 10-7. This capped off an eight-play, 66-yard drive.
 
Charleston Southern had another quick scoring drive with a big play to Cunningham setting up a short field on the ensuing drive. Osborne connected with Mekhi Campfield from four yards out for the first touchdown of his career to cap off the three play, 75-yard possession. This gave the Bucs a 14-10 advantage with nine minutes remaining.
 
The Skyhawks kept the scoring run going with Chris Franklin punching it into the endzone from 21 yards out to conclude the three-play, 65-yard drive. UT Martin took the lead at 17-14 following this.
 
On the ensuing Buccaneer possession, they put it on the ground for the first three plays to Ke'Marion Baldwin, collecting 33 yards on it and moving it into Skyhawk territory. Charleston Southern got it to second and four at UTM's 36 and gave up sacks on the second and fourth down plays with the third down having a Skyhawk cornerback knock down the pass to Campfield leading to a turnover on downs. UT Martin was able to keep the ball moving and wind down the clock to seal the win on senior day.
 
Osborne finished the day going 14-25 through the air for 276 yards which included two touchdowns and an interception. Baldwin was the leading rusher with 12 carries for 90 yards including a long of 44 while Hakeem Watters totted it for 36 yards off 11 rushes. Cunningham was the leading receiver as he had seven catches for 216 yards and a touchdown. Campfield added three catches for 21 yards while Jamil Bishop had two receptions for 19 yards.
 
Steve Zayachkowsky was the leading tackler once again as he ended the day with 10 tackles. Justin Waters finished with six while Avery Dixon, Nick Bartalo and Jason Hertz had five. As a team, the Bucs collected five TFLs with Malik McKinzie and Nick Bartalo each having one. Champ Brantley and Knai Cook each forced a fumble in the contest.
 
Charleston Southern will be back at Buccaneer Field next weekend for the team's season finale. They will be hosting Tennessee State with kickoff slated for 2 p.m. and the game to be available live on ESPN+. Additionally, the game will be serving as Senior Day, Military Appreciation Day and North Charleston Appreciation Day.