Bucs seize control early in 27-14 win over Robert Morris

By: CSU Sports Media

Paced by a pair of Terrence Wilson rushing touchdowns and Isaac Ross’ first collegiate 100-yard receiving effort, Charleston Southern held off visiting Robert Morris on Saturday afternoon at Buccaneer Field, 27-14.

The Bucs (1-2, 1-2 Big South) went on a 17-0 scoring run midway through the contest sparked by a 22-yard Jack Chambers-to-Ross touchdown pass late in the second quarter to secure their first win in the 2021 spring season. Chambers finished 20-of-33 from the field for 255 yards and a touchdown, while Ross hauled in seven passes for a career-high 102 yards and a score in CSU’s win.

Terrence Wilson and Chambers combined for 46 carries as the Bucs’ running game recorded a season-high 133 yards on Saturday afternoon. Wilson posted a career-high 26 carries for a hard-fought 47 yards and two touchdowns, while adding five catches for 54 yards through the air. Chambers turned his 20 touches into 79 yards in the Bucs’ win.

RMU’s George Martin set up the Colonials’ offense with an 18-of-38 performance for 304 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in the loss. Martin’s favorite target was D’Andre Hicks (seven catches, 72 yards, two touchdowns), while Alijah Jackson added two catches for 92 yards.

Cody Cline paced CSU’s defense with nine tackles, while adding his second career interception. Stefan Williams added a sack, while freshman defensive backs Matthew Williams and Richard Lawson recorded three pass breakups apiece.

Aniello Buzzacco (14 tackles, 1.5 TFL) and Jamar Shegog (13 tackles, 1 FF) were RMU’s defensive leaders in the game, while Supilani Mailei added a game-high 1.5 sacks in the loss.

Nathaniel Toole highlighted CSU’s special teams efforts as the junior placekicker drilled a Buccaneer program-record 53-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, while adding a 38-yard conversion in the game.

Key Drive

Following Robert Morris’ first touchdown of the contest, the Buccaneers marched down the field to respond and take the lead for good in Saturday’s matchup at Buccaneer Field. With the score tied 7-7, Jack Chambers opened the drive with a five-yard pass to Cayden Jordan down the sideline to set the Bucs up with a 2nd-and-Short situation at the CSU 31.

From there, Chambers targeted Terrence Wilson, Jordan, Isaac Ross, and Quinn Caballero as the Buccaneers moved down the field against the RMU defense. CSU was aided by a defensive pass interference call on the drive to set up 1st-and-10 at the RMU 22-yard line with just under two minutes to play in the first half.

On the first play following the pass interference, Chambers scrambled around the pocket before lofting the ball up in the back of the end zone. Ross led his defender to the sideline, before cutting back to the ball and toe-tapped his way along the back line before hauling in the 22-yard touchdown reception to put the Bucs ahead 14-7 just before the break. The touchdown sparked a 17-0 run as the Bucs secured the win.