Coach Gabe Giardina Reacts to Charleston Southern's Loss to UT-Martin

Charleston Southern falls to UT Martin in defensive struggle

“Just can’t have a pick-six in a game that’s going to be that close,” Charleston Southern coach Gabe Giardina said following his team’s 20-10 loss to UT Martin. The Buccaneers struggled to find any offensive rhythm on Saturday, ultimately falling to the Skyhawks in a contest defined by defensive stops and critical turnovers, as reported by the Aiken Standard.

The loss marks a difficult stretch for Charleston Southern, representing their second week without a win. The team now sits at 4-6 on the season with only two games remaining in their schedule. While the defensive unit showed resilience, the offense could not overcome the setbacks caused by injuries and turnovers.

Quarterback transitions and offensive struggles

The Buccaneers’ offensive difficulties were compounded by a rotation at the quarterback position. Jared Echols, who had missed the previous week due to a shoulder injury, attempted to play despite the setback. While Echols managed to record 100 yards on six completed passes during the first half, his play was marred by a first-quarter interception that proved costly. Following that turnover, the coaching staff turned to Caden Clay.

Clay struggled to find footing in the game, completing only 6 of 24 pass attempts for 74 yards. Coach Giardina noted the difficulty of the situation, stating that Clay is performing well but is simply “playing earlier than he should be.”

The ground game fared no better. Charleston Southern’s rushing attack mustered only 57 total yards. Leading rusher Hakeem Watters was limited to 19 yards on 15 carries, leaving the Buccaneers unable to control the clock or establish a consistent tempo.

UT Martin capitalizes on key turnovers

While the Charleston Southern offense sputtered, the UT Martin defense provided the decisive blow. The Skyhawks used a 57-yard interception return for a touchdown by LaMarion Pierce to swing the momentum in their favor. This play helped push UT Martin past the Buccaneers in what remained a tightly contested defensive battle.

The scoring sequence for the Skyhawks began with a 4-yard touchdown run by quarterback Tate Surber, which gave UT Martin a 7-0 lead. Although Matt Rolader connected on a 33-yard field goal to bring CSU within three points at 7-3, Pierce’s interception return extended the Skyhawks’ lead to 14-3. A 2-yard touchdown run by Dwayne Wright briefly closed the gap for the Buccaneers in the second quarter, but UT Martin’s defense held firm, and two fourth-quarter field goals secured the 10-point victory for the Skyhawks.

UT Martin’s success was also built on a reliable rushing attack. Running backs Jaydon Peete and Chris Franklin provided the necessary balance, recording 74 and 70 yards, respectively.

The path to a 6-6 finish

Despite the disappointment of the weekend, the Buccaneers are looking toward a potential finish to the season that could salvage their standing. The team has two remaining opportunities to reach a .500 record.

Photo: postandcourier.com

Statistic/Event	Charleston Southern (CSU)	UT Martin
Final Score	10	20
Total Rushing Yards	57	N/A
Season Record	4-6	N/A

Coach Giardina expressed a sense of pride in the team’s grit despite the scoreboard. “Obviously, we are disappointed with the result but not disappointed with the effort,” Giardina said. He emphasized the necessity of internal motivation for the final stretch, adding, “We have two opportunities left to get to 6-6. We know we are the only ones that can get it out of us.”

The Buccaneers will return home to host SEMO for their final home game on Nov. 14.

“I still see us competing very hard every week,” Giardina said.