CSU vs. SBU Game Notes

Saturday’s matchup will be the first ever meeting between the two schools, and the Bucs first trip to Kenneth R. Lavalle Stadium. The Seawolves are the newest member of the Big South Conference, and dropped their debut contest in the conference last Saturday, 33-0, to the Liberty Flames.  Stony Brook has lost five consecutive games since their season opening win over Colgate (42-26).  In that time, the Seawolves have been outscored 151-43 by their opponents. The Buccaneers come off their third consecutive victory, 29-20, over the Savannah State Tigers.  Since opening the season 0-3, the Bucs have leveled their season-mark at .500 (3-3).  This will be the middle game in a stretch of three straight on the road for CSU, which also opened the season with three consecutive road games.  CSU plays six of their first eight games on the road.

CSU Game Notes

SBU Game Notes

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Open Wounds
Charleston Southern is now 4-14 all-time in season-openers, including a 1-12 mark on the road. They have opened each of the last six seasons away from home.

Buccaneer’s Year-By-Year Season-Opener Results
1991 at Methodist L 8-18
1992 Methodist W 20-19
1993 at Morgan State L 20-54
1994 at Presbyterian L 34-38
1995 at Chattanooga L 0-41
1996 at Presbyterian L 26-34
1997 at East Tennessee State L 7-30
1998 South Carolina State L 7-17
1999 at South Carolina State L 14-20
2000 Guilford W 58-0
2001 North Greenville W 38-0
2002 VMI L 24-27
2003 at The Citadel L 10-64
2004 at Presbyterian L 14-19
2005 at The Citadel L 28-14
2006 at Presbyterian W 21-13
2007 at The Citadel L 14-35
2008 at Miami (Fla.) L 7-52

Home Cookin'
The Bucs have won 20 of their last 25 home games over the past four years, including a perfect 6-0 record in 2006. CSU had a 12-game home winning streak, stretching from Oct. 15, 2005 to Oct. 20, 2007. The streak was the second-longest in the nation at the time it ended and matched the longest home run in Big South history.  Coastal Carolina also won 12 consecutive home games between Sept. 11, 2004 and Nov. 12, 2005. Last Saturday’s home opening victory (27-0) over North Greenville was the latest the Bucs had played their home opener in the program’s history, edging out the Sept. 25, 2004 game against the University of Charleston (W.V.)

Buccaneer’s Year-By-Year Home-Opener Results
1991 Mars Hill L 0-29
1992 Methodist W 20-19
1993 Presbyterian W 17-16
1994 S.C. State L 0-37
1995 Presbyterian L 6-44
1996 West Virginia State W 17-12
1997 Presbyterian L 6-17
1998 South Carolina State L 7-17
1999 Lenoir-Rhyne * W 14-7 (OT)
2000 Guilford W 58-0
2001 North Greenville W 38-0
2002 VMI L 24-27
2003 Presbyterian L 14-17
2004 Charleston (WV) W 38-21
2005 Presbyterian L 0-42
2006 Wingate W 20-17
2007 Johnson C. Smith W 44-20
2008 North Greenville...................................... W 27-0
* - First game of the season at Buccaneer Field

On The Road Again
With week two’s game being changed to a road game, CSU started the 2008 season with three-straight road games. Combined with a bye week, CSU did not play their first home game until Sept. 27 when they beat North Greenville, 27-0. Never before has CSU played their first three games on the road. Five times (1997, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007) CSU has played their first two games away from Buccaneer Field.

Weekly Returns
CSU had a couple of award-winning performances in their win over Gardner-Webb.  Interior Defensive Lineman Kamalu Umu was named Big South Choice Hotels Defensive Player of the Week.  Umu recorded five total tackles, a QB hurry and an interception.  Also recognized was freshman punter Andy Brown, who recorded a 45.1 yard average on seven punts and pinned the Bulldogs inside their own 10-yard line four times.  Brown was awarded Big South Freshman of the Week honors.  CSU has also had the Big South Special Teams Player of the Week (Gerald Stevenson - 9/6/08) and the Big South Freshman of the Week (Chris Kuzdale  - 9/13/08). 

G-Money
Gerald Stevenson has continued to make his name known around the country with his electric kick return abilities. After earning Big South Special Teams Player of the Week (11/3) and Big South Freshman of the Week (11/10) honors last season, he has already earned Big South, and TSN National Special Teams Player of the Week in 2008. Both honors came after he set a Big South record with 255 return yards on seven returns against Wofford on Sept. 6. Combined with his receiving total (33) and 14 rushing yards, Stevenson posted a school-record 302 all-purpose yards against the Terriers, the second-best total in Big South History. Stevenson’s latest heroics came against Gardner-Webb, as he returned three kickoffs for a total of 103 yards.  His biggest contribution came with a 61-yard return that led to the eventual game-winning Bucs’ field goal.

Conference Kudos
Charleston Southern had four players selected to the 2008 Big South Preseason All-Conference team. Wide receiver Dee Brown and center Alex Bragg were named to the offense, while defensive lineman Jake Killeen and linebacker Josh Mitchell were named to the defense. All four selections are in their senior year.

After the 2007 season, the Bucs had a total of nine players named to the Big South All-Conference teams. Four of those selections return, including first-team offensive selection Dee Brown. Second-team tight end Ryan Ard returns, but moves to the defensive line in 2008, while second-team defense selections Jake Killeen and Okeba Rollinson also return for CSU.

In Memory
The Charleston Southern football program continues to remember Eddie Gadson. Gadson was a walk-on wide receiver, who fought to earn a scholarship, and was named first-team all-conference as a redshirt freshman. The summer before the 2005 football season, Gadson was tragically killed in a car accident. The team rallied behind his memory to win their final five games of the season, claiming their first-ever winning season, and their first-ever Big South Champion. Each year, a golf outing is held to help raise money for the scholarship created in his honor; the Edward A. Gadson Memorial Scholarship. The Scholarship is awarded each year to a walk-on who shows the same heart and determination that Eddie was known for.

Scholarship Recipients
2008 - Matt Bach
2007 - Alex Thomas
2006 - Darius Jackson

Second Chances
A number of Buccaneers on the current roster started their careers elsewhere. One of the most notable transfers on the roster for CSU is quarterback Tribble Reese, who joins CSU for his final year of eligibility from Clemson University. Andrew McKain, who transferred in from the Air Force Academy will also look to make an immediate impact on the Bucs at the linebacker position. Darius Gaither also joined CSU from the Clemson program, making his presence known immediately with a team-leading nine tackles against Miami (Fla.).

Reese’s Pieces
After transferring from Clemson for his final year of eligibility, senior Tribble Reese made his first-career start (August 28) against Miami. Reese finished the game 10-21 with 81 yards, but most importantly helped lead the offense to a turnover-free game. CSU went only one game in 2007 (Nov. 10 vs. Presbyterian) without throwing an interception. CSU had turned the ball over at least once in every game since Sept. 25, 2004 against the University of Charleston (WV).  Against Wofford, Reese wrote his name in the record books with 30 completions (3rd all-time at CSU), and 46 pass attempts (6th all time at CSU). His four touchdown passes against Miami (Ohio) ties him with the second-highest total ever in Big South history.  After not starting for the first time this season and throwing for just 55 yards in relief against Savannah State, Reese fell to fifth in the conference in passing yards (994) and third in passing TDs (8).  

Ivey League
Freshman Antwan Ivey has made an immediate impact on the Charleston Southern backfield. The Florida AA player of the year leads the Bucs’ backfield through five games, rushing for 189 yards on 56 carries.  He has also found the end zone twice.  In addition, Ivey has provided a spark to the CSU aerial attack, catching 10 passes for 82 yards.  Although opening day starter DeMarcus Moon returned against North Greenville, Ivey continued to carry the load, recording career highs for carries (15) and yards (70), while scoring a touchdown against NGU.

Philip’s Pilfers
Philip Ashley intercepted Savannah State freshman quarterback Kurvin Curry to establish a new CSU career record with his eighth interception.  He has now passed Jon Belk (1991-94) and Jon Carmon (2004-07) who each recorded seven picks.  Ashley leads the Bucs with three interceptions in 2008, with his other two pilfers coming against Gardner-Webb (Stan Doolittle) and North Greenville (Richard Harb).  Just a junior, Ashely will have his entire senior season to set the record out of reach for future Bucs.

Tackle Your Fancy
Even with the loss of Jada Ross, the Big South’s all-time leading tackler, the Buccaneers are still solid on the defensive side of the ball. Josh Mitchell, who redshirted last season, returns for 2008 as the active career leader in tackles with 236.

Career Leaders in Tackles (Active Players Only)
Josh Mitchell  Sr. 236
Josh Warrior Sr. 162
Okeba Rollinson Sr. 153
Mike McCann Sr. 120

Vs. FBS Opponents
Going into the 2008 season, Charleston Southern had played four games against FBS (Formerly Division I-A) competition. With the losses at Miami (Fla.) and Miami (OH), the Bucs are 0-6 all-time against FBS opponents. Below is a list of CSU’s FBS contests.

Date Opponent Conference Result
Nov. 21, 1996 at UAB Independent L, 13-49
Nov. 2, 2002 at South Florida Independent L, 6-56
Oct. 18, 2003 at South Florida Conference USA L, 7-55
Sept. 22, 2007 at #19 Hawaii WAC L, 10-66
Aug. 28, 2008 at Miami (Fla.) ACC L, 7-52
Sept. 13, 2008 at Miami (Ohio) MAC L, 27-38

Vs. Non D-I Opponents
Including their victory over North Greenville (Sept. 27), the Bucs have won nine-straight games against non-Division-I opponents, dating back to the 2005 season. Eight of those wins have come against Division II schools, with one coming against an NAIA school. The team’s last loss to a non-Division I opponent came on Sept. 10, 2005 at home to Presbyterian, who was Division II at the time. Charleston Southern is 13-6 under Coach Jay Mills against all non-Division I opposition (holding a 13-20 record against Division I opponents).

Championship Game Honored
The memorable 2005 Big South Championship game was honored as part of the Big South’s 25th Anniversary “Best of the Best” list of the top-25 moments in the League’s history. The game, played in honor of fallen teammate Eddie Gadson, ended in a bizarre series of events, with CSU emerging victorious in a double-overtime thriller. It was the first Big South Championship for the football team.

Moon Rising
Playing extensively in the CSU backfield as a true freshman, running back DeMarcus Moon established himself as a legitimate threat on the ground. Moon led the team with 382 yards on 67 carries. The McDonough, Ga., native averaged a team-best 5.7 yards per attempt. On Oct. 6, 2007, in the game against Savannah State, Moon topped the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career, carrying 16 times for 103 yards in the contest. His first-career touchdown came on Sept. 15, 2007 against Johnson C. Smith. Moon, sidelined since the second week of the season, returned against N. Greenville after missing the previous two games. Moon regained the primary rushing duties against Savannah State and again enjoyed his most successful day of the season, rushing for a team-best 95 yards on 17 carries.

Dee Day Interupted
Transfer Dee Brown quickly became CSU’s primary offensive target last season.  Brown finished the season with 69 receptions for 898 yards and nine touchdowns, all team highs. He led the Big South in receptions and receiving yards, and was ranked in the top-25 in the NCAA in both categories.
 
Brown, recognized as a pre-season Big South all-conference selection has been sidelined with a knee injury suffered in week two of the season against Wofford.  He has not appeared in either of the last two games (Miami-Ohio, North Greenville) and it is uncertain what the time-table for his return wll be.
 
CSU has had a WR lead the conference in receptions every year in Big South football history (five total seasons, since 2002).

Run of the Mills
Head Coach Jay Mills is in his sixth season as the head coach at CSU, and currently holds a career record of 30-31. Until last season, the Buccaneers had improved every season under his leadership. The 2006 season set the bar high, though, as the Bucs won their first nine games of the year before losses at Liberty and Coastal Carolina left the team with a 9-2 mark. The 9-0 mark was coming off a five-game winning streak in 2005, giving CSU a combined 14-game winning streak, which was the second-longest in the country behind San Diego (18).

Without Ross
For the first time in five years, the Bucs will walk the sidelines without Jada Ross. Ross, who finished his career as a redshirt-senior in 2007, finished as the Big South’s career leader in tackles with 454. He finished his senior year leading the Big South, and tied for seventh in the country, averaging 11.91 tackles per game. His best two performances of the season came in the final two games of 2007, with Ross tallying 17 tackles in each game. Ross led the Big South in total tackles each of the last two seasons. (131 total stops).

New Faces On the Sidelines ...
Only Jamey Chadwell (Asst. HC/WR/Recruiting Coord.) and Chuck Kelly (Offensive Coord./OL) return from last year’s assistant coaching staff. Joining the CSU coaching staff for 2008 are: Thielen Smith (Defensive Coord.), Chad Staggs (Secondary), RaShan Frost (Defensive Line), and Gabe Giardina (Running Backs).

And some familiar ones ...
Even though their eligibility is up, a couple of familiar faces can still be found on the sidelines for CSU. During his offseason from Arena ball, Collin Drafts returns for his second season as an assistant coach for CSU. Drafts works with the quarterbacks after having set every passing record in school history. All-Conference offensive lineman Rick Howell has also taken off the helmet and put on the coach’s whistle. Howell started in 35 games over the course of his four-year career for CSU, earning second-team all-conference honors as a junior, and first-team as a senior.

Former CSU Football Players at the next level:
Maurice Price (2004-06)
WR - New England Patriots (NFL)

Mike Brown (1999-2000)
DB/WR - Philadelphia Soul* (AFL)
*2008 ArenaBowl XXII Champions

Vernon Huger (2004-07)
WR - Georgia Force (AFL)

Collin Drafts (2003-06)
QB - Green Bay Blizzard (AF2)

Anthony Moore (2003-06)
FB/LB - Lubbock Renegades (AF2)

Matt Hoisington (2003-07)
OL/FB - CenTex Barracudas (IFL)