Box Score

SAVANNAH, Ga- Charleston Southern's Kamalu Umu recovered a Kurvin Curry fumble at the Bucaneers seven yard line with less than two minutes remaining to hold off a Savannah State rally as CSU defeated the Tigers 29-20 at Theodore A. Wright Stadium.

Savannah State, who are now 0-5 against Charleston Southern, fell to 3-4.

It was the first time SSU played on campus since November 2007.

The crowd of 3,457 saw the Bucs take a 6-0 lead 44 seconds into the contest. Alex Neal returned Luis Justiano's kickoff 29 yards to the CSU 45. On the first play from scrimmage, DeMarcus Moon ran for a big gain to the Savannah State 17. Moon fumbled but teammate Markus Murry recovered at the Tigers six. One play later, Moon scored on a six yard run with 14:16 on the clock. John Paglia missed the extra point attempt.

SSU got off to a rocky start as Curvin's pass was intercepted on the Tigers first play from scrimmage by Andrew McKain. Savannah State returned the favor as Jamar Graham picked off A. J. Toscano's pass at the SSU two and returned it 17 yards to the SSU 19.

After punting the ball away, SSU's defense caused another turnover as LaDarien Redfield recovered a fumble at the Bucs 25. Five plays later, Curry threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Isiah Osborne. Justiniano's extra point kick was good as the Tigers led 7-6 with seven minutes left in the opening quarter.

CSU erupted for 20 points in the second quarter to build a 19-point advantage.

CSU went ahead 12-7 early in the second quarter as Gerald Stevenson capped a 15-play, 53-yard drive with a six-yard run. The two-point conversion failed and CSU led 12-7 with 14:53 remaining.

The Bucs increased their advantage to 20-7 with 10:31 on the clock as Murry hauled in a 27 yard touchdown pass from Toscano. Tyrese Harris caught the two-point conversion pass from Toscano.

With 5:47 left before the half, Charleston Southern's Philip Ashley picked off a Curry pass and returned it 21 yards to the Bucs 41. That setup a one-yard touchdown run by T. J. Latimore with 3:08 left to give the visitors a 26-7 advantage.

On Savannah State's next possession, the Tigers drove 84-yards in six plays for a touchdown as Curry threw a seven yard score to Deleon Hollinger with 24 seconds left before halftime. Justiniano's extra point was good and SSU trailed 26-14. The key play on the drive was a 69-yard pass play from Curry to Hollinger ona third and eight from their own 18.

CSU's next possession was short-lived as Tiger defensive back Chris Asbury intercerpted Tribble Reese's pass and returned it 53 yards to the Charleston Southern eight. SSU drove to the Bucs one but on second and goal with four seconds remaining, Justin Babb was stopped for a two-yard loss.

After no scoring took place in the third frame, the Tigers began the fourth quarter with a score as Hollinger caught a 13-yard touchdown from Curry. Justiniano missed the extra point and the Tigers trailed 26-20 with 13:14 remaining in the game.

CSU drove to the Savannah State three with just over five minutes left but the Tiger defense held and the Bucs had to settle on a 20-yard field goal from Pagila with 4:56 left.

SSU drove to the Charleston Southern seven on their next possession but Curry fumbled and the Bucs recovered.

Charleston Southern (3-3) ran out the clock to end the contest.

Savannah Statehad 252 yards of offense with 181 coming via air. The defense recovered two fumbles and intercepted three passes.

Curry passed for 181 yards and three touchdowns while he rushed for 35 yards. Hollinger had his second straight game of at least 100 yards receiving as he caught eight passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Calvin Leonard and Antwan Allen each had 11 tackles and Graham picked off two passes to go along with his five tackles.

CSU had balanced attack with 305 yards of total offense. The Bucs passed for 158 yards and ran for 147. The defense picked off two passed, had two sacks and recovered a fumble.

Moon rushed for 95 yards and a score, Toscan passed for 74 yards and a score and Murry caught three passes for 62 yards and a touchdown. Josh Mitchell led the defense with seven tackles.

Savannah State will travel to Itta Bena, Mississippi on October 18 to play the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils at Rice-Totten Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.