CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern hits the road to Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Saturday afternoon as the Buccaneers take on No. 4/7 Kennesaw State in the Big South opener between the two teams. Kickoff on ESPN3 is set for 3 p.m.

Charleston Southern at Kennesaw State
Date/Time: Saturday, October 12 at 3 p.m. ET

Tickets: General Admission
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | Weather | Radar
Stadium: Fifth Third Bank Stadium (8,300 Capacity)
Gates: Open at 2 p.m.
Parking: $15 parking
TV: Big South Network on ESPN+
Live Stats: KSUOwls.com
History: Fifth Meeting (Kennesaw State leads 2-1)
More Information: Follow us on Twitter @CSUSports and @CSUGameDay for up-to-date information on Game Day

Charleston Southern (1-4, 0-0 Big South): Head Coach Autry Denson | Roster | Schedule | Statistics | Game Notes
Kennesaw State (4-1, 0-0 Big South): Head Coach Brian Bohannon | Roster | Schedule | Statistics | Game Notes

KENNESAW STATE GAME DAY CENTRAL

Game Notes

Big South Opener
Charleston Southern kicks off Big South Conference play this weekend as the Buccaneers head to Fifth Third Bank Stadium and Kennesaw State University on Saturday afternoon. It marks the Bucs' 18th season in Big South football dating back to the 2002 season when CSU fell on the road to Liberty to open conference play. The Bucs have posted a 7-9 overall record in their Big South openers, including winning the conference opener in each of the last three seasons. CSU topped Presbyterian in the conference opener in each of the last two seasons, and picked up a win over Monmouth to start Big South play back in 2016. Saturday marks the first time the Bucs have taken on Kennesaw State in their respective conference openers in program history.

Big South Champions
Saturday's matchup features the teams that have won the Big South championship in each of the last three seasons. The Bucs earned the conference's automatic bid to the FCS postseason in both the 2015 and 2016 seasons, while Kennesaw State claimed the honors in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. The Bucs 28-14 win over Kennesaw in the regular season finale back in 2016 clinched the postseason berth for CSU. Over the last two seasons, however, Kennesaw State and Monmouth have battled for the conference crown with the Owls topping the Hawks twice to claim top honors. Kennesaw State was picked first in the Big South preseason poll again this year, while CSU was selected third overall.

Bucs against the Big South
Charleston Southern is 22-28 all-time in Big South Conference play dating back to the inception of the league in 2002. The Bucs have posted a program-high six wins over Gardner-Webb dating back to their first matchup, while CSU is undefeated against both Campbell (2-0) and Hampton (1-0). CSU has posted all-time losing marks against Kennesaw State (1-2), Monmouth (1-2), Presbyterian (11-14), and Gardner-Webb (6-10). The Bucs have never lined up against newcomer North Alabama, but CSU starts the series with the Lions this season in a non-conference matchup on October 19 in Florence.

Hitting the Century Mark
It took him four years, but Ronnie Harris finally cracked the elusive century mark in the running game this past Saturday. The redshirt senior running back had posted several 80- and 90-yard rushing games over his career before breaking through over the last two games. Harris posted career highs in rushing attempts and rushing yards on back-to-back weeks against The Citadel and Savannah State on his way to earning Game Ball honors from Head Coach Autry Denson following the win over the Tigers. Harris recorded a career-high 23 carries for 93 yards against The Citadel. He followed up with 18 carries for 120 yards against Savannah State – his first 100-yard rushing effort of his collegiate career. He became the first CSU player to crack the 100-yard rushing mark since Terrence Wilson eclipsed the mark against Gardner-Webb last season.

Cracking the Kennesaw State Run Defense
The Bucs are hoping Harris can maintain his recent momentum heading into Saturday's contest as Charleston Southern faces a stout KSU run defense that currently sits among the nation's best. The Owls are allowing opponents to record just 69.8 rushing yards per game to rank second in FCS in the category behind only Austin Peay (68.0 ypg). Only Kent State (145 rushing yards) has cracked the team century mark this season against the Owls. Missouri State came close in their matchup against the Owls with 35 carries for 93 yards and a score. The Bucs enter the matchup averaging 133.0 yards per game on the ground sparked by Harris' 78.0 yards per game. CSU has eclipsed 175 rushing yards in three games this season, including 176 against The Citadel and 184 against Savannah State.

Kameron Brown Climbing the Ranks
Redshirt senior Kameron Brown continues to climb the Charleston Southern all-time receiving rankings as the Buccaneers head into Big South Conference play. The Graniteville, S.C. native sits fourth in the Big South this season with 25 receptions and fourth in receiving yards per game at 67.0. He's also fifth in the conference with 335 receiving yards on the year as he continues to move upward in the all-time ranks. Brown enters Saturday's game sitting sixth all-time in the Big South career rankings with 1,446 career receiving yards, sitting 238 yards behind Nathan Perera (1,684 – 2010-15) to move into the CSU top-five. Brown has posted three consecutive games with at least six receptions, including a career-high nine catches against North Carolina A&T. He posted back-to-back 100-yard receiving efforts already this season with 110 against N.C. A&T and The Citadel. He added six catches for 58 yards and a touchdown this past weekend against Savannah State.

Chambers Setting Career Marks
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Jack Chambers continues to raise his stature heading into Big South play. The Lilburn, Ga. native is coming off his most successful quarterbacking effort of his collegiate career in terms of passing attempts, completions, yardage, and touchdowns. Chambers was 24-of-35 through the air for 231 yards and a pair of touchdown passes to Jaquan Williams and Kameron Brown in leading the comeback against Savannah State. Chambers' efforts come off a strong relief performance against The Citadel where he posted 94 rushing yards over one half of play, while leading the Bucs in the comeback attempt. Chambers sits fifth overall in the Big South in total offense per game at 190.6 yards per game and is in the top five in every passing category on the season.

Keeping Possession and Holding off the Turnovers
Charleston Southern struggled this past Saturday in retaining possession as the Buccaneers surrendered four turnovers in the win over Savannah State. The four miscues marked 11 turnovers for the Bucs this season as CSU fell to 114th in the FCS in the turnover margin category at -1.20 per game. CSU has lost the turnover battle in four of the five games the Bucs have played this season, surrendering fumbles in two different games, while coughing up interceptions in four of the five games. Kennesaw State's defense has posted six turnovers on the season, including three interceptions and three fumble recoveries.

Passing Against the Owls' Secondary
Charleston Southern's passing attack sits among the Big South's best this season as the Buccaneers are connecting on 211.0 yards per game through the air in the 2019 season. CSU's Air Raid with an Attitude, as coined by head coach Autry Denson in the preseason has connected on at least 200 passing yards in each of the last three games, including 231 this past weekend against Savannah State. The Bucs added 233 in the loss to North Carolina A&T. Overall, CSU has recorded at least 190 passing yards in each of the five games, while adding passing touchdowns in four of the last five games. The Bucs will face one of their biggest challenges on the pass defense this weekend as the Owls sit seventh in FCS in allowing 160.6 yards per game. Missouri State threw for 292 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Kennesaw State this season, but the Owls have also held two opponents under 100 passing yards this year.

Keeping the Quarterback Upright
Charleston Southern faces a difficult task on Saturday as the Buccaneers offensive line will take on one of the top attack defenses in the country. The Owls are sixth in the country with 9.2 tackles for loss per game and average 1.8 sacks per game over the five games Kennesaw State has lined up this season. Conversely, the Bucs have struggled allowing 7.8 tackles for loss per game and 2.6 sacks per game through 2019. The Bucs have counteracted this pressure by shifting to the quick passing game and utilizing the quick screens to Isaac Ross (7 catches, 71 yards vs. Savannah State), as well as Ronnie Harris (3 catches, 27 yards) to help offset the quarterback pressure. Kennesaw State boasts All-American Bryson Armstrong and linebacker Kareem Taylor (7.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks) that will bring the defensive pressure this season.

Stopping the Top-Ranked Rush Attack
Since the program's inception, Kennesaw State has been known for one thing: a powerful rushing attack. The Owls have continued that this season as Kennesaw State enters Saturday's contest sitting first in FCS in averaging 369.8 rushing yards per game. The Owls have hit at least 200 rushing yards in all five games this season, including 204 in their last game against Reinhardt, which was called due to weather in the third quarter. KSU added a trio of 400-yard rushing efforts including 433 against Point, 481 against Alabama State, and 479 against Missouri State. The Bucs have struggled to contain the rush attack this season allowing 310.2 yards per game on the ground. Linebackers J.D. Sosebee and Garrett Sayegh have been a huge part of the defensive effort over the last two weeks and will be counted on once again as CSU will be facing their third primarily triple-option attack this year.

Getting the Owls Off the Field
In addition to their top-ranked rushing attack, Kennesaw State is also among the nation's best in time of possession this season. The Owls are averaging 31:12 minutes of possession each game and have won the possession battle in four of their five games this year. This includes a 39:34 possession outing in Kennesaw State's lone loss this season against Kent State. Key to their possession edge has been their ability to convert on third downs as Kennesaw State is converting at a 0.492 clip on the year. The Bucs have been successful at stopping the opposition this season on the "money down" as CSU has limited opposing teams to just eight third down conversions over their last 43 attempts (18.6%). CSU is 11th in FCS in third down conversion defense on the season and will look to build off that success this weekend against the Owls.

Building Off a Strong Second Half
Garrett Sayegh has been an impact player for the Buccaneers defense since he stepped on the field. The sophomore linebacker proved that again this past weekend as the Simpsonville, S.C. native took over the middle linebacker spot in the second half and put together another impact performance. Sayegh finished up the contest with a team-high eight tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss on his way to earning recognition among the Big South's weekly nominees. Sayegh led the Buccaneers in 2018 in sacks (3.5), while adding four tackles for loss. He added five tackles, two sacks, and two tackles for loss last season against Gardner-Webb. The 5-9 athlete is expected to play another key role this week defensively as he will line up in the middle of the field against Kennesaw State. He posted one tackle last season against the Owls.

Building Off the Bucs' Win
Charleston Southern's defense has come together in each of the last three games as the Buccaneers have battled their way back into position heading into Big South play. The Bucs have posted 29.0 tackles for loss and six sacks over the last three games, including 13.0 tackles for loss this past weekend against Savannah State. The Bucs added a pair of forced fumbles and an interception, as well as four quarterback hurries against the Tigers. CSU surrendered 508 yards last season in the loss to Kennesaw State, but did find success in the turnover game with a pair of interceptions, including James Allen's 100-yard pick-six.

Attacking the Line of Scrimmage
The Buccaneers are coming off their best defensive performance of the season as CSU recorded 13.0 tackles for loss, a sack, two force fumbles, and four quarterback hurries. Charleston Southern will look to continue that success against a triple-option attack that doesn't throw the ball often, but will attack the ground game on the field. The Bucs are currently third in the Big South in recording 6.4 tackles for loss per game, but sit sixth in the conference with 1.4 sacks per game. Eleven different Buccaneer players have recorded a tackle for loss this season paced by Nick Salley's 7.0, while Anton Williams sits just behind his teammate with 6.5 over the three games he's lined up in. Six different players have posted sacks this season paced by Salley's and Williams' 2.0 apiece. Kennesaw State has limited the opposition getting into the backfield sitting first in the conference in allowing 4.4 tackles for loss per game and 11th in the country in sacks allowed per game (0.80).

Defending the Option – Third Time
Kennesaw State marks the third team the Buccaneers have faced this season that boasts a primarily triple-option offensive attack. CSU previously took on Furman and The Citadel that both sit among the national leaders in rushing yards per game. Furman (298.0 ypg) is currently fourth overall in the country in rushing yards per game, while The Citadel (224.8 ypg) is 18th overall in FCS in rushing yards per game. The Buccaneers struggled in their first matchup against the option as CSU surrendered 369 yards and five touchdowns in the opener against Furman. CSU bounced back against The Citadel as the Bucs limited the Bulldogs to 3.4 yards per game and two touchdowns in the loss. The Bucs allowed 316 rushing yards and three touchdowns last season against the Owls.

Two Ends Meet In the Middle – Salley and Williams
The Buccaneers boast two of the top rush ends in the Big South this season as Nick Salley (7.0 TFL) and Anton Williams (6.5 TFL) both sit among the conference leaders in the category. The Bucs' tandem trails only Kennesaw State's Kareem Taylor (8.5) and Joel Parker (7.0) as the top-ranked duo in the category heading into this weekend. Salley has been strong for the Bucs throughout the season as the Walterboro, S.C. native has posted tackles behind the line of scrimmage in four of the five games, including a career-high 3.0 against Furman. Williams made his season debut against North Carolina A&T and the junior followed up with a trio of 2.0 TFL games to pace the Bucs' defense.

Reighard Tying History
Redshirt senior punter Kyle Reighard will have his name enshrined in the CSU record books when his career wraps up for the Buccaneers. He added one more spot to his already growing list of accolades this past Saturday when he connected on a school-record tying 72-yard punt in the fourth quarter against Savannah State. The punt tied the mark set by Heath Seimon against Newberry back in 1993 and was the fourth-longest punt in Big South Conference history. Reighard is averaging 43.2 yards per punt this season to sit 18th in FCS in punting on the season and second in the Big South.