BUCCANEER FOOTBALL GAME FOUR ESSENTIALS
Date/Time: Sept. 28, 2024/6:00 p.m. EST.
Site: Nashville, Tennessee
Stadium: Nissan Stadium
Surface: Artificial Turf
Capacity: 67,700
Series Overall: 1-0
Record: Charleston Southern 1-2, Tennessee State 2-2
Last Meeting vs. Tennessee State: W, 35-21
Television: ESPN Plus
Broadcasters: Dan Laing (Play-by-Play), Chris Sanders (Color Commentary)
5 Things to Know:
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Charleston Southern leads the overall series with Tennessee State 1-0, having defeated the Tigers 35-21 in Charleston in 2023. The Buccaneers jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first half and took a 21-7 lead into the locker room after defensive back Dominic Pagano recovered a fumble and returned it for a 69-yard touchdown. After the Tigers tied the score in the fourth quarter, the Buccaneers scored two touchdowns in the final three minutes of the game to seal the two-touchdown victory.
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Tennessee State had their Big South/OVC opener last Saturday on the road against Tennessee Tech. After falling behind 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, the Tigers tied the score at 14 going into the half; however, they were held scoreless in the second half and were defeated by a 24-14 score.
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With Rob McCoy Jr. leaving the last game against Richmond with an injury, the Buccaneers turned to Sophomore Zolten Osborne at quarterback, who finished with 81 yards. Both quarterbacks are listed as questionable heading into Saturday's game.
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For the Buccaneers, three impact players to watch on offense and defense this Saturday in Nashville: On defense, Steve Zayachkowsky has a total of 21 tackles this season. On Special Teams, Gilbert Brown has been crucial in the field position battle, leading the Big South/OVC with 48.0 yards per punt and a net average of 41.8 yards per punt. Offensively, Noah Jennings leads the team with 147 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
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Head Coach Gabe Giardina is in his second season at the helm at Charleston Southern, having spent the previous six seasons as Head Coach at Albany State. This is his third stint at Charleston Southern as he was at CSU as a Special Teams and Running Backs Coach from 2008-11 and Offensive Coordinator from 2013-16.
