NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee State held Charleston Southern to 277 total yards and 67 yards rushing, but three turnovers proved costly in a 20-7 loss Saturday afternoon at Nissan Stadium.
The Buccaneers improved to 4-4 overall and 1-2 in conference play, while the Tigers fell to 2-6 and 0-3.
Jerimiah Treadaway led Tennessee State with 42 yards on 11 carries. He also caught three passes for 15 yards.
Byron McNair completed 7 of 12 passes for 65 yards and a touchdown after entering late in the third quarter. Cam Bulluck caught four passes for 53 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Sammy Taylor led the Tennessee State defense with nine tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Epoki Fakaosi added eight tackles, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups. Jaylon Price recorded three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
The Tigers forced four fumbles and recovered one while limiting Charleston Southern to 2 yards per rushing attempt. The Buccaneers scored 13 points off three Tennessee State turnovers, including a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Tennessee State converted 6 of 14 third-down opportunities, including four of six in the fourth quarter.
How It Happened
The teams played a scoreless first quarter. Price ended Charleston Southern's opening possession with a 10-yard sack on third-and-goal, forcing a fumble that went out of bounds. The Buccaneers then missed a 33-yard field-goal attempt.
Charleston Southern took a 7-0 lead with 12:03 remaining in the second quarter when Jared Echols connected with KD Dorsey for an 18-yard touchdown.
The Buccaneers extended their advantage to 14-0 when Tristan Lennon returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown with 10:42 left in the half.
A second Tennessee State interception led to a 45-yard field goal by Matt Rolader, giving Charleston Southern a 17-0 halftime lead.
The Buccaneers added a 26-yard field goal following a Tennessee State fumble in the third quarter, increasing the margin to 20-0.
Tennessee State answered with a 12-play, 71-yard drive that began late in the third quarter. McNair completed passes of 26 yards to Bulluck and 12 yards to Jayden Guy before finding Bulluck for a 9-yard touchdown with 9:35 remaining. Preston Hurless added the extra point to cut the deficit to 20-7.
Fakaosi forced two fumbles on Charleston Southern's next possession, and Taylor recovered the second at the Buccaneers' 16-yard line. Tennessee State was unable to capitalize, missing a 37-yard field-goal attempt.
Neither team scored again.
Game Notes
» Charleston Southern outgained Tennessee State 277-136.
» Tennessee State limited the Buccaneers to 67 rushing yards and 2 yards per carry.
» The Tigers held Charleston Southern without a rushing touchdown.
» Tennessee State converted 6 of 14 third downs, while Charleston Southern finished 7 of 15.
» Charleston Southern scored 13 points off three Tennessee State turnovers.
» Tennessee State forced four fumbles and recovered one.
» Taylor led the Tigers with nine tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
» Fakaosi finished with eight tackles, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups.
» Price recorded Tennessee State's only sack and forced a fumble.
» Treadaway led the Tigers with 42 rushing yards.
» McNair completed 7 of 12 passes for 65 yards and one touchdown.
» Bulluck caught four passes for 53 yards and one touchdown.
» Echols completed 19 of 27 passes for 199 yards and one touchdown for Charleston Southern.
» Hakeem Watters led the Buccaneers with 46 rushing yards.
Up Next
Tennessee State will travel to face Lindenwood at 1 p.m. Saturday in St. Charles, Missouri. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast on 102.1 FM The Ville.
