Zayachkowsky, Kindell Earn OVC Accolades After Win Over #21 S.C. State
10/12/2026 10:00:00 AM | Football
CHARLESTON – The Ohio Valley Conference announced the winners for the weekly awards on Monday morning with a pair of Buccaneers earning accolades this week. Steve Zayachkowsky was chosen as the Defensive Player of the Week while Quay Kindell earned Special Teams Player of the Week. Charleston Southern knocked off #21 South Carolina State for the first ranked win for CSU since 2024.
Â
Zayachkowsky had a season-high 17 tackles, the most by an OVC player this season and ninth most by a FCS player this season. The linebacker also added two pass breakups and forced a fumble (which led to a touchdown) in the win, the first over a ranked team for CSU since 2024. Zayachkowsky now has over 250 career tackles and is averaging 9.7/game this season, which is 17th nationally.
Â
Kindell returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to push the lead 28-13. It was the first kick return for a score for the Buccaneers since 2023 and is the eighth-longest in the FCS this season. The junior also had a 38-yard kick return later in the game and averaged 35.5 yards on four total returns. Kindell also caught two passes for 29 yards. For the season he is averaging 34.1 yards per kickoff return which ranks fourth nationally.
Â
Support the Buccaneers
Fans can support Charleston Southern Athletics through the Buc Club.
For the latest information on CSU cross country, follow the teams on social media or visit www.CSUSports.com.
Â
Zayachkowsky had a season-high 17 tackles, the most by an OVC player this season and ninth most by a FCS player this season. The linebacker also added two pass breakups and forced a fumble (which led to a touchdown) in the win, the first over a ranked team for CSU since 2024. Zayachkowsky now has over 250 career tackles and is averaging 9.7/game this season, which is 17th nationally.
Â
Kindell returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to push the lead 28-13. It was the first kick return for a score for the Buccaneers since 2023 and is the eighth-longest in the FCS this season. The junior also had a 38-yard kick return later in the game and averaged 35.5 yards on four total returns. Kindell also caught two passes for 29 yards. For the season he is averaging 34.1 yards per kickoff return which ranks fourth nationally.
Â
Support the Buccaneers
Fans can support Charleston Southern Athletics through the Buc Club.
For the latest information on CSU cross country, follow the teams on social media or visit www.CSUSports.com.
---#BucStrong---
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
LB
/ FootballSaturday, October 17
Thursday, October 15
Tuesday, October 13
Saturday, October 10
