CHARLESTON – Western Illinois defeated Charleston Southern by a final score of 31-20 on Saturday night during the Buccaneers' Homecoming Week. CSU's Autavius Ison finished the day with 229 yards on the ground to break the CSU single game rushing record and rank as the second most by an FCS player this season.
 
Western Illinois was able to jump ahead at the start of the game with a pair of scores off interceptions. The first came on a batted ball at the line off Rob McCoy Jr and WIU got on the board with a four-yard touchdown. On the ensuing CSU possession, the Buccaneers threw an interception that the Leathernecks returned for their second touchdown of the day, boosting their lead to 14-0.
 
In the second quarter, Charleston Southern's Ison scored a pair of touchdowns and helped bring the CSU deficit down to 14-13, with the first from four yards out and the second from a yard. The first drive was 11 plays for 92 yards with the second being 11 plays for 60 yards.
 
The Leathernecks scored again prior to the end of the first half, bumping their advantage to 21-13.
 
Coming out of the break, they continued to roll on the offensive side of the ball increasing their lead to 31-13 with a nine-yard touchdown pass and 48-yard field goal conversion. They scored the TD on their first possession of the second half and knocked in the field goal to start the fourth.
 
Charleston Southern was able to find the endzone again in the fourth quarter on a Rob McCoy Jr to Noah Jennings connection from seven yards out. Following the made PAT this brought the score to 31-20 with a little over nine minutes remaining. The Bucs were able to put another drive together, but a failed 4^th and 6 from the WIU 16 ended the drive with 3:16 left on the clock. The Leathernecks were then able to run the clock out, claiming the victory in their conference opener.
 
McCoy finished the day with 106 passing yards in his return which included a touchdown. Ison finished the day with 229 yards off 29 carries for a 7.9 average rush. Tyson Greenwade also had an incredible day as he collected 104 rushing yards of 12 carries for an 8.5 average. Jennings led the team in receptions with four and receiving yards with 44.
 
Davion Williams led the team in tackles as he finished with ten. Kason Hooks got his first career interception as he picked off WIU's Nathan Lamb in the first half. Steve Zayackowsky and Trayson Fowler were next on the team in tackles as they had five on the day. Josh Hill and Ja'Courtney Snipes each had a sack with Darrius Bell and Chandler Perry having a TFL on the night.
 
Charleston Southern will be back in action next weekend for their second road conference game of the season. The Buccaneers will travel to Lindenwood on Saturday, October 12 at 2:00 p.m. EST.