WILLIAMSBURG, VA – William & Mary defended their home field on Saturday evening, defeating the Buccaneers by a final score of 34-7. Steve Zayachkowsky finished with 19 tackles in the game to tie the OVC / Big South Football Association record for a single game. His mark ranks as the most by a Buccaneer since the 2006 season.
William & Mary got the first points of the day, scoring during their second possession of the day. They drove 55 yards in 11 plays with Tyler Hughes connecting with Alfred Honesty from seven yards out for the score. The play was upheld following review as Jayden Hancock made it a juggling catch for the receiver for the Tribe.
Charleston Southern responded with Hakeem Watters breaking loose for a 63-yard touchdown run near the start of the second quarter that brought the game level at seven apiece. Right before the half, William & Mary put together a scoring drive with a two-yard run by Rashad Raymond as time expired to put them back ahead.
The Tribe went on to score three touchdowns in the second half to expand their lead further and seal the win in front of their home crowd.
Zolten Osborne finished the game with 60 passing yards going 9-16 through the air. Lek Powell entered for the final possession and went 2-2 for 26 yards. Hakeem Watters got the bulk of the carries in the backfield and had a career-high 119 yards off 13 carries to average 9.2 per rush. Isaiah Gordon had nine rushes and 47 yards on the ground. Chris Rhone led the team with four receptions while Nebayne Moore had three.
Zayachkowsky finished with seven solo tackles and 12 assisted tackles to end the day with 19 total. Jason Hertz had a big day with eight on the day. CJ Landrum collected 1.5 TFLs to lead the team in the category with he and Malik McKinzie combining for a sack. As a team, Charleston Southern picked up five QB hurries.
Charleston Southern will be back in action next weekend as they will take on South Carolina State in the Bucs’ nonconference finale. The kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Buccaneer Field with the game to be available live on ESPN+.