Preseason Previews: Game #4 - Charleston Southern Buccaneers

Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of Western's 2023 football opponents. For the season's fourth game, the Catamounts return to Cullowhee to face the Big South's Charleston Southern Buccaneers in the second game of a two game series between the two teams, on the gridiron. 

The Bucs completed the 2022 season tied for third place in the Big South Conference standings, tied with Campbell and Bryant, with a 2-3 conference record.  

                          

    

Game #4  

        Charleston Southern  Bucs

When: Saturday, September 23, 2023

Time: 2:30 pm
Where: Bob Water Field, Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
   -Play-by-Play: Gary Ayers • Producer: Jeff Bryson

TV/video: ESPN+

   -Play-by-Play: Daniel Hooker
Live Stats: WCU Live Stats

Conference:  Big South/OVC Alliance 

The Series: This is the second meeting between the two teams on the football field, and is the second and final game in the home and home series between the two schools. 

Last Game vs. CSU:  September 3, 2022 - Davis Throws for 400 Yards, 6 TDs in Season-Opening Road Win - Charleston, S.C. – Carlos Davis threw for a career-high 433 yards and a school-record six touchdown passes going to six different receivers as Western Carolina won its 2022 season opener on Saturday afternoon, 52-38, over Charleston Southern at Buccaneer Field.

Head Coach: Gabe Giardina became the sixth Charleston Southern head football coach in program history in November of 2022. He comes to the Buccaneers after coaching stops at the University of Alabama, Charleston Southern, Delta State and Albany State.

Gabe Giardina's Record: 37-17 overall / 0-0 at CSU  (1st season)

Gabe Giardina's record vs. Western Carolina: 0-0
Kerwin Bell's record vs. Charleston Southern: 1-0

Last Season's Record - (CSU 2022): 2-8 overall, 1-3 home, 1-5 away, 2-3 Big South

Offensive Formation:  Run Pass Option (RPO)
Defensive Formation:  unknown at this time

The Bucs struggled to a 2-8 record in 2022 that resulted in the dismissal of head coach Autry Denson. Denson's four-year run as head coach resulted in an overall record of 14-22.  However, even at 2-8 the Bucs were competitive in most of their games. The Bucs only  lost to Furman by 5 points, and lost to Campbell by 6 points. 

Division II's Albany State head coach Gabe Giardina gets his opportunity to lead the Bucaneers after a great run with the Golden Rams.

With the movement to an RPO type offense, there is speculation that Ross Malmgren, who was injured in Game 4 last season, may depart the team, but I can't find any indication he as entered the portal at this time. If Malmgren does depart, that leaves, the Bucs with at least 4 QBs on the roster to choose from, speculation is that Tony Bartalo may have the inside track to the job.  

The Bucs lost at least 8 players to the transfer portal, 3 on offense, 4 on defense and 1 on special teams: Darius Meeks (OL), Seth Anderson (WR), Vinson Davis III (WR), Boogsie Silvera (DB), Jeremiah McClendon (DB), Jerome Rice III (LB), Kamron Smith (DB), & Franklin Rogers (K) - most of which were on their two deep roster for the Bucs. 

2021 Charleston Southern Statistics (10 games)

Rushing Offense: 1049 yards
Yards per game: 194.9
Yards per rush: 3.3 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 57
TDs rushing: 10
Passing Offense: 2118 yards or 211.8 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 93
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 377-204-15
TDs Passing: 10
Total Offense: 3167 yards or 316.7 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 13 - 6
3d Down Conversions: 44 of 153 (38.8%)
4th Down Conversions: 6 of 19 (31.8%)
Field goal-attempts:  8 of 12
PAT-Attempts: 25 of 25
Red Zone Scores: 15 of 17
Red Zone Touchdowns: 11 of 17
On-Side Kicks: 0 - 2
Penalties-Yards: 51 - 484 - Avg. per gm 48
Punts-Yards: 67 - 2993 - Avg. per gm 38
Sacks: 18 for 102 yards