NCAA Football

Tennessee State Tigers (6-5)


Bess, Ruff lead Charleston Southern to 35-21 victory over Tennessee State

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) Isaiah Bess threw for two touchdowns, TJ Ruff ran for two, and Charleston Southern defeated Tennessee State 35-21 on Saturday.

The Buccaneers never trailed but Deveon Bryant's 2-yard run for Tennessee State tied the score at 21 midway through the fourth quarter. Charleston Southern then got an 18-yard touchdown pass from Bess to Will Kakavitsas, held on downs at the Tennessee State 25, and wrapped up the win with a 25-yard touchdown run from Ruff with 2:16 to play.

Bess was 9-of-19 passing for 84 yards with the two touchdowns and an interception. Ruff added 78 yards rushing for the Bucs (4-5, 2-2 Big South-OVC).

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Leaders
Passing Yards: D. Ellis1085
Passing TDs: D. Ellis6
Rushing Yards: J. Gant553
Rushing TDs: J. Gant10
Receiving Yards: D. Davis379
Receiving TDs: K. Brenson2
Interceptions: None 
Schedule 2023
Date Opponent Result / Time
9/2 at 13 Notre Dame L 3 - 56
9/9 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff W 24 - 14
9/16 vs. Gardner-Webb W 27 - 25
9/30 at UT Martin L 10 - 20
10/7 at Kennesaw State W 27 - 20
10/14 vs. Norfolk State W 24 - 17
10/21 vs. Lincoln (CA) University W 54 - 0
10/28 vs. Lindenwood W 43 - 20
11/4 at Charleston Southern L 21 - 35
11/11 at Eastern Illinois L 17 - 30
11/18 vs. Tennessee Tech L 0 - 35
Ohio Valley
  Conference Overall
24 Tennessee-Martin 4-0 8-3
Southeast Missouri State 3-1 4-7
Eastern Illinois 2-2 8-3
Tennessee State 1-3 6-5
Tennessee Tech 1-3 4-7
Lindenwood 1-3 3-7
Offense (FCS Rank)
Yards: 3349 (85)
Passing Yards: 1716 (98)
Rushing Yards: 1633 (63)
Points per game: 22.7 (80)
Yards per game: 304.5 (91)
Touchdowns: 29 (78)
Field Goals: 12 (28)
Defense (FCS Rank)
Yards: 3676 (33)
Passing Yards: 1967 (17)
Rushing Yards: 1709 (62)
Points per game: 24.7 (43)
Yards per game: 334.2 (35)
Touchdowns: 34 (49)
Field Goals: 7 (24)