2 weeks Ago
For the fifth time this season, the Charleston Southern football team is playing a team that is, or has been, ranked in the national FCS Top 25 this season. In its final home game of the season, CSU will host No. 22 UT-Martin, one of the top teams in the Big South/OVC Association.
The Bucs, at 1-8 and losers of seven straight, take on the Skyhawks in a 2 p.m. kickoff.
For CSU coach Gabe Giardina, the schedule is what the schedule is, and he said his team welcomes the opportunity. Frantic rally falls just short in CSU’s 17-14 loss to Gardner-Webb “A complete team,” Giardina said of the Skyhawks. “One of the oldest teams we have played.
Lot of upperclassmen and a bunch of guys that have been there for a while. It’s senior day for us, so we look forward to honoring the guys who have been here. Looking forward to a great crowd and a great time.
” Unofficially, CSU expects to honor 15 seniors in pregame festivities. Giardina inherited some of the seniors when he became head coach two years ago, and a few have transferred in during the last two years. Charleston Southern's defense will have its hands full with UT Martin in the Buccaneers' home finale on Saturday.
“I think they have given us a lot of stability, and with COVID and a coaching change, they have stuck through a lot,” he said. “They really have done a great job of buying into what we’re doing. I continue to enjoy coaching this team, and these guys have made it easy.
” The CSU defense has shouldered a heavy load this season as the offense battles inconsistency. The quarterback situation has remained fluid with starter Rob McCoy suffering two separate ankle injuries, leaving sophomore Kaleb Jackson to learn under fire. One area that has developed offensively is at running back.
Sophomore Autavius Ison has missed the last two games but has gained more than 600 yards. Freshman Tyson Greenwade has stepped up as the No. 1 back and has twice been named Big South/OVC freshman of the week Charleston Southern aims for strong finish to tough season In UT-Martin, CSU will face a balanced offensive team with a physical, experienced defense.
Skyhawks quarterback Kinkead Dent has passed for more than 1,400 yards with 14 touchdowns, using a bevy of receivers. The run game averages 4.6 yards per carry and is led by Patrick Smith’s 909 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Defensively, UT-Martin allows just 3.3 yards per rush and only 84.4 yards rushing per game.
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