Charleston Southern capped off their 2025 season on Saturday afternoon at Buccaneer Field with a win over Tennessee State by a final score of 7-6 on the Bucs’ Senior Day. The win moves the Bucs to 4-1 over their final five games of the season and continues to build momentum towards the 2026 season.
The Buccaneers were able to force a three-and-out on the opening drive for the Tigers. Charleston Southern marched down the field and missed a 37-yard field goal to end their first drive. Each team was able to move into opposing territory on their next but failed on fourth down attempts to give the ball back. After this, both teams decided to punt it away on fourth down.
Tennessee State was the first team to get on the scoreboard for the day. Following a 12-day drive, 63-yard drive, they chipped in a field goal from 30 yards out to take the lead at 3-0 with 4:51 left in the half. Charleston Southern went immediately down the field in four plays using a 56-yard pass to Quay Kindell on a deep post route from Zolten Osborne to find the endzone. Following the PAT, the Bucs took the lead at 7-3 with 2:59 remaining before the break.
On the ensuing Tigers’ drive, Brandon McDonald punched the ball loose on a swing pass to Devaughn Slaughter, but the Bucs gave the ball right back with their Dominique Dixon knocking it free from Ke’Marion Baldwin on a long run. The Tigers were unable to get any offense going on it, being forced to punt again with the Bucs’ Anthony Paulk blocking the punt, giving CSU the ball back once again, but fumbled it away on the first play of the drive.
Tennessee State scored on their opening drive of the half going 51 yards in eight plays and Freddy Perez converted on his second kick of the day, this time from 39 yards out. This cut their deficit to 7-6 at the 9:19 mark in the third quarter.
Following this, the defenses continued to settle in, making key stops all afternoon keeping themselves in the game. Eventually, late in the fourth quarter, after the fifth consecutive stop by the Buccaneer defense which included a Malik McKinzie sack on third down, the Tigers punted the ball away for the final time. On the Bucs drive, Osborne had a pair of QB keepers that each went for first downs as well as big runs from Baldwin to ice the clock and seal the win.
Osborne finished the day going 8-19 through the air for 145 yards and a touchdown. Baldwin was the leading rusher with 21 carries for 114 yards. Watters added 82 yards on the ground off 10 rushes. Kindell was the leading receiver with 83 yards off two catches including a touchdown.
Steve Zayachkoswky was the leading tackler as he had six including 1.5 tackles for loss. Avery Dixon, Champ Brantley and Knai Cook each had five tackles on the day. McKinzie and Dixon each had a solo sack in the game as well.
Prior to the game, Charleston Southern recognized 14 of their seniors to celebrate their careers and accomplishments with their families. This group included Jamil Bishop, Gilbert Brown, Justin Waters, Chris Rhone, Malik McKinzie, Nick Bartalo, Landon Sauers, Tylan Hollis, Noah Summers, Ronnie Hayes, Josias Addison, Loushon Campos, Kade Strickland and Will Laing.
The game marks the end of the 2025 season for the Buccaneers with them finishing the year with an overall record of 5-7 and OVC/Big South mark of 4-4. This marks the winningest season for the Bucs and their most wins in conference play since 2019 when they went 6-6 overall and 4-2 against league opponents.