CHARLESTON, S.C. – Charleston Southern claimed the Lowcountry Boil Bowl for the first time in program history as they defeated The Citadel in double overtime by a final score of 26-20.
Hakeem Watters found the endzone from nine yards out to seal the victory over the crosstown rival and get their first win of the 2026 season.
The Citadel struck first by scoring on their opening drive after the Bucs went three-and-out to open the game. The Bulldogs drove 71 yards in eight plays with Quentin Hayes connecting with Michael Lorino for 33 yards through the air on a fourth down to go up 7-0.
Following this, the Bulldogs offense was stifled for the remainder of the half as they were unable to score again. In the meantime, Charleston Southern's
Josiah Wyatt was able to block the punt on The Citadel's second possession of the evening with
Anthony Paulk recovering it and having the ball placed at the Bulldogs' 24 following a penalty on the return. Once the Bucs had the ball they handed it off to
Harry Smalls five times in a row and saw him punch it in the endzone from one yard out, allowing them to tie it at seven apiece following
Matt Rolader's made PAT.
After this, Charleston Southern was able to move the ball 35 yards off seven plays to set up for a field goal attempt for Rolader from 48 yards out. This gave the Bucs their first lead of the day at 10-7 with 10:34 left in the first half. This is what carried into the halftime break.
On the first possession of the second half for The Citadel, they went 49 yards off 11 plays to boot in a 45-yard field goal to tie the game at 10 apiece. On their next possession they drove 57 yards on 13 plays to set up for a 37-yard field goal to take the lead at 13-10 to begin the fourth quarter.
The Buccaneers' Rolader knocked in his second field goal of the game midway through the fourth quarter with this one coming from 52 yards out, tying the game at 13 apiece. Following this, each team turned it over on their ensuing possessions and CSU forced a three-and-out and led to overtime.
Both teams scored on their opening possession of overtime with
Dwayne Wright punching it in from two yards out to cap off the three-play drive. The Citadel needed five plays to reach the endzone on theirs with a two-yard rush by Gavin Garcia.
In the second overtime, The Citadel had the first possession of the period and were stalled on their possession and lined up for 43-yard field goal which they missed. Charleston Southern then got the ball and gave
Hakeem Watters a carry followed by
KD Dorsey having a 17-yard reception and Watters then punching it in from nine yards out to give CSU the win pushing them ahead at 26-20.
Powell finished the day going 8-16 through the air for 84 yards. On the ground, Watters led the team with 56 yards off 11 carries with Smalls getting 39 yards off 11 rushes. Defensively,
Tristan Lennon led the team in tackles with 10 on the day and had a sack.
Kason Hooks picked up an interception in the contest as well and had two tackles for loss as well as Lennon. Zayachkowsky had nine tackles, while
Josiah Wyatt added eight and
CJ Landrum finished with seven.
Charleston Southern returns to play next weekend in what will be their first home game of the season as they take on Point. The kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. at Buccaneer Field with the game to be available live on ESPN+.
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