FCS-CFB Game Preview: South Carolina State Bulldogs (2-2) vs. Charleston Southern Buccaneers (0-4)

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Venue & Game Details

Matchup: South Carolina State Bulldogs vs. Charleston Southern Buccaneers

Kickoff Time: 6:00 PM ET

Venue: Buccaneer Field, North Charleston, South Carolina

Capacity: ~4,000

Broadcast: ESPN+

Weather Forecast (North Charleston, SC)

Kickoff Temperature: ~84°F (29°C)

Conditions: Partly sunny, humid

Wind: 7–10 mph from the southeast

Precipitation: ~15% chance of scattered showers

Impact: Typical Lowcountry late-September humidity; stamina and depth could play a role.

Injury Report

South Carolina State Bulldogs:

QB Corey Fields Jr. – healthy, 500 passing yards, 3 TDs.

RB Kendrell Adams – healthy, 101 rushing yards, 1 TD.

WR Jamar Johnson – healthy, 207 receiving yards, 2 TDs.

No major injuries reported.

Charleston Southern Buccaneers:

QB Zach Osborne – healthy, 398 passing yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs.

RB Khalil Baldwin – healthy, 150 rushing yards, 1 TD.

WR Chris Rhone – healthy, 116 receiving yards.

No major injuries reported.

Key Player Matchups

QB Corey Fields Jr. (SC State) vs. CSU Secondary

Fields has been efficient, with 3 TDs and only 2 INTs.

CSU’s defense has allowed 30+ points in 3 of 4 games.

RB Khalil Baldwin (CSU) vs. Bulldogs Front Seven

Baldwin is CSU’s most consistent offensive weapon.

SC State’s defense has been inconsistent, giving up 63 points to USF but holding Bethune-Cookman to 41 in a shootout win.

WR Jamar Johnson (SC State) vs. CSU Corners

Johnson is averaging 16 yards per catch.

CSU’s secondary has been beaten deep multiple times.

QB Zach Osborne (CSU) vs. Bulldogs Pass Rush

Osborne has struggled with turnovers (3 INTs).

SC State’s front has 3 sacks from DE Marcus Lunz.

Recent Team Form

South Carolina State Bulldogs (2–2)

L 63–14 @ South Florida (Week 4, FBS)

W 55–41 vs. Bethune-Cookman (Week 3)

L 38–10 @ South Carolina (Week 2, FBS)

W 16–15 vs. Wofford (Week 1)

Strengths: Explosive offense in FCS play.

Weaknesses: Defense gives up big plays.

Charleston Southern Buccaneers (0–4)

L 35–28 vs. Lincoln (Week 3)

L 13–0 @ Coastal Carolina (Week 2, FBS)

L 45–3 @ Vanderbilt (Week 1, FBS)

L 41–7 @ Florida State (2024 finale)

Strengths: RB Baldwin provides some stability.

Weaknesses: Offense averaging just 10.8 ppg, defense allowing 34.0 ppg.

Conference vs. Conference

South Carolina State: Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).

Charleston Southern: Big South–OVC Football Association.

This is a non-conference FCS matchup.

Series History

All-time series: South Carolina State leads 6–2.

Last meeting: 2019 – South Carolina State won 24–19.

Trend: Bulldogs have won 3 straight in the series.

Betting Trends

South Carolina State Bulldogs:

2–2 ATS in 2025.

4–2 ATS in last 6 non-conference games.

3 of last 4 games have gone Over.

Charleston Southern Buccaneers:

1–3 ATS in 2025.

1–6 ATS in last 7 home games.

4 of last 5 games have gone Under.

Historical Betting Results

2019: SC State -3 covered in 24–19 win (Under cashed).

2018: SC State +4 covered in 23–3 win (Under cashed).

2017: CSU -6 covered in 38–14 win (Over cashed).

Game Odds

South Carolina State Bulldogs                    – 7.5

Charleston Southern Buccaneers              53

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025