Charleston Southern dropped their Halloween contest to Western Illinois on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 42-35 to drop to 1-3 in Ohio Valley Conference action. The Bucs’ defense tallied a trio of second-half touchdowns to level the game at 35 apiece late in the contest and give the hosts a chance for a victory on Homecoming weekend.
Both teams were able to score a touchdown in each of the opening quarters in the first half. Western Illinois’ Kennedy McGill ran for a 50 yard touchdown at the start of the game and then a five yard one late in the second quarter to bring the score even at 14 apiece heading into halftime. Sandwiched between those scores, Harry Smalls scored from one yard out to cap off a five play, 60 yard drive in the first quarter and was followed by Hakeem Watters going for a 50 yard rushing touchdown for CSU’s lone lead of the day midway through the second quarter.
In the second half, the Leathernecks offense saw McGill rush in for his third of the day on their opening drive from four yards out. On their next drive, he found Israel Hiraldo from 44 yards out to bump their lead to 28-14. After this, Charleston Southern nipped into that lead with Tristan Lennon getting an interception and returning it 65 yards for a touchdown, making it back-to-back weeks for him with a pick-six. McGill took the opening snap of their next drive 84 yards for a touchdown to make it a two score game again.
With their backs against the wall, the Buccaneer defense continued to dig in deep and forced a trio of fourth quarter turnovers. Jaden Hancock had a 39 yard pick six and then had a 19 yard scoop-and-score to bring the game to 35 apiece. After this, McGill rushed for a big gain, but in the process, Steve Zayachkowsky punched the ball loose from him with Avery Dixon recovering the fumble to give CSU the ball at their own 40.
On the first play, CSU was able to gain 20 yards, but had the play blown dead due to a pre-snap penalty. The Bucs were able to return to the original line of scrimmage, but were forced to punt it away and downed it at the one-yard line. Western Illinois’ offense found their rhythm one more time during the afternoon, driving all 99 yards of the field in 10 plays to go up 42-35 and seal the road victory.
Caden Clay made his first career start with Jared Echols out with injury. Clay finished the day going 10-19 through the air for 84 yards and an interception as well as 16 yards on the ground. Watters led the team in rushing with 124 yards off 17 carries and a touchdown.
Defensively, Zayachkowsky led the team in tackles yet again with 17 on the day while Lennon added 12 himself with Dixon collecting nine and Josiah Wyatt with nine. Zayachkowsky also had a tackle for loss and a forced fumbles in the contest. Lennon and Mylan Bowen each finished the day with 2.5 tackles for loss for the team lead.
Charleston Southern will be back in action next weekend to face UT Martin on Saturday, November 7 with a 2 p.m. kickoff. The game will be available to be watched live on ESPN+.
Story courtesy of Charleston Southern Football.
