Buccaneer Defense Stifles Tigers on Saturday Night for First OVC Win of 2026

NASHVILLE, TENN – Charleston Southern collected their first conference win of the 2026 season on Saturday night at Tennessee State by a final score of 20-7. The Buccaneers defense forced three turnovers from the Tigers and they tallied 17 points in the second quarter to pave the way for the victory.

Charleston Southern scored a touchdown on their second possession of the day with them starting in the redzone following a blocked punt. On the fifth play, Jared Echols connected with KD Dorsey from 18 yards out for the score, the first of Dorsey’s collegiate career. On the ensuing possession by the Tigers, Daylin Lee was intercepted by Tristan Lennon which he returned for a touchdown, pushing the Bucs ahead at 14-0. To conclude the half, Matt Rolader hit from 45 yards out to push CSU up 17-0.

Near the end of the third quarter, the Bucs cashed in on a 13 play, 40 yard drive with Rolader drilling a 26 yard field goal. This boosted the edge to 20-0 with one quarter left to play.

The Charleston Southern defense kept Tennessee State at bay all evening. In total, they had just one touchdown drive which came midday through the fourth quarter. Excluding that, they had just two other drives that went for 10 or more yards with their first for 22 yards and their last for 11 yards. In total, they were limited to just 136 yards of total offense on 54 plays with 17 rushing yards off 24 carries as well.

Echols continued to grow in his third career start as he went 19-27 through the air for 199 yards and a touchdown. Caden Clay went 2-2 and Quay Kindell completed a pass on a trick play for 14 yards. Hakeem Watters led the team with 46 yards rushing while Dwayne Wright added 37 yards. Dorsey finished as the leading receiver with 46 yards off three catches to go with his touchdown. Mekhi Campfield was close behind with four receptions for 44 yards with Kindell adding four receptions as well.

Tristan Lennon led the team in tackles with 10 on the day with Steve Zayachkowsky adding eight. Zayachkowsky and Joshua Modupe led the team in tackles for loss with two on the day with each of Modupe’s for a sack. In total, they finished with six sacks with Modupe’s team-lead of two, while Zayachkowsky, Josiah Wyatt, Mylan Bowen and Angel Miles each had six. Anthony Carter and Tristan Lennon each had an interception as well while Champ Brantley had a forced fumble.

Charleston Southern returns to action next weekend as they will begin a three-game homestand. The series will begin with a game against Western Illinois on Saturday, October 31 with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m. with the game to be available live on ESPN+.