Clemson returns to Death Valley on Saturday for Military Appreciation Day after a week off, looking to get back on. Clemson has had two weeks to sit with that 41-13 loss to Miami. Now the Tigers get a home game against Charleston Southern, a chance to put some of the work from the open date to use and, hopefully, give the crowd at Death Valley something better to watch.
There were a few things worth taking from the Miami game, even with the score staring everyone in the face. Tait Reynolds threw for a career-high 295 yards, and Bryant Wesco Jr. caught nine passes for 152 yards. Both had their best moments against a tough opponent, and Clemson needs more of that from them as the season moves along. Ashton Hampton also had a strong day in coverage against Malachi Toney, breaking up multiple passes and holding his ground in some tough matchups.
The offensive line is still a concern after giving up six sacks to Miami. An extra week gave Clemson time to get healthy and work on some of the problems that have followed this team through the first five games. Saturday should tell us a little about whether that work is paying off. Charleston Southern is the kind of opponent Clemson should beat, but the Tigers still have to go out and do it.
The Buccaneers come to Death Valley Saturday for a noon kickoff on ACC Network. Clemson will wear purple for Military Appreciation Day, and there should be plenty of opportunities to see players beyond the usual names if the Tigers can build a comfortable lead.
Here is what to know about Charleston Southern.
Charleston Southern University Buccaneers
School Location: North Charleston, South Carolina
Game Location: Clemson Memorial Stadium
Time: Saturday 10/17; Noon EST (ACC Network)
2026 Record – 3-3; (0-2; Ohio Valley Conference)
Wins Against: Citadel (26-20); Point (65-0); South Carolina State (49-39)
Losses against: Lindenwood (20-17); Georgia Southern (31-0); Gardner-Webb (12-10)
Head Coach
Head Coach: Gabe Giardina – (4th Season)
Gabe Giardina is back for his fourth season leading Charleston Southern, a program he knows well. He first joined the Buccaneers in 2008 as the running backs and special teams coach, then served as offensive coordinator from 2013 through 2016. Charleston Southern won the Big South championship in 2016 and made the first two FCS playoff appearances in program history during that stretch.
Giardina left for Albany State, where he went 37-17 over five seasons and won a conference championship in 2021. He returned to Charleston Southern in 2023. The Buccaneers put together a three-game winning streak in 2025 and had 12 players earn All-Conference recognition, though this season has brought a tougher start.
A trip to Clemson is a major test for Giardina’s team. It’s also a chance to see how his players respond against an opponent with far more depth and resources. Clemson, meanwhile, has its own questions to answer after the Miami loss.
Offense
Offensive Coordinator: Seth Strickland – (2nd Season)
Seth Strickland joined Giardina’s staff in 2025 after three seasons as offensive coordinator at Anderson University. The two have worked together before at Albany State, and Strickland also spent six seasons coaching at South Carolina. His résumé includes a stint coaching quarterbacks for the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football.
In his first season at Charleston Southern, the offense had its most productive year of the Giardina era, with five players earning All-Conference honors. The Buccaneers will need a strong showing from that side of the ball to keep pace in Death Valley.
Here are the projected offensive starters from Charleston Southern’s published depth chart, along with their season statistics:
| Quarterback | Jared Echols | RS Sophomore | 7 | 12 carries; 53 yds | 26/48; 315 yds, 3 TDs, Int |
| Running Back | Hakeem Watters | Sophomore | 0 | 369 rushing yards, 5 TD | 4 receptions, 22 receiving yards |
| Wide Receiver | Quay Kindell | RS Junior | 8 | 13 receptions, 170 yards | |
| Wide Receiver | Mekhi Campfield | Senior | 3 | 15 receptions, 198 yards, 4 TD | |
| Wide Receiver | TJ Smith (Georgia Military) | Junior | 10 | 8 receptions, 114 yards | |
| Tight End | Kaden Strickland | RS Senior | 87 | No recorded receptions | |
| Left Tackle | Quandre Brooks | Freshman | 66 | ||
| Left Guard | Robert Clark (Pearl River CC) | Senior | 68 | ||
| Center | Justin Joe | Junior | 78 | ||
| Right Guard | Ethan Hunt | 5th Year | 62 | ||
| Right Tackle | Josiah Lancaster | 5th Year | 71 |
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Randall McCray (1st Season)
Randall McCray brings more than 30 years of coaching experience to Charleston Southern. He joined the staff in 2026 after spending last season at East Tennessee State and has coached at a long list of college programs, including Clemson, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh and South Carolina. He also spent two seasons on the Arizona Cardinals’ special teams staff.
McCray has been a defensive coordinator at Northern Iowa, Texas State, Gardner-Webb and Middle Tennessee. His Middle Tennessee defense ranked second in the Sun Belt in scoring defense in 2010. At Charleston Southern, he’ll oversee the linebackers and try to get the Buccaneers’ defense ready for a Clemson offense that will be eager to respond after the Miami game.
These are the projected defensive starters, with their season stats:
| Defensive End | Josiah Wyatt (Appalachian State) | RS Senior | 0 | 12 tackles, 1 TFL |
| Nose Tackle | Jason Hertz (Appalachian State) | RS Junior | 56 | 8 tackles, 0.5 TFL |
| Defensive End | CJ Landrum | Junior | 8 | 3 tackles |
| Outside Linebacker | Brandon McDonald | Sophomore | 33 | 7 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 pass breakup |
| Outside Linebacker | Mylan Bowen | Junior | 10 | 9 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks |
| Inside Linebacker | Tristan Lennon | Sophomore | 25 | 20 tackles, 1 TFL |
| Inside Linebacker | Steve Zayachkowsky | Senior | 5 | 45 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 3 pass breakups |
| Cornerback | Anthony Paulk | Junior | 19 | 14 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 interception, 1 pass breakup |
| Free Safety | Champ Brantley | Senior | 1 | 13 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 2 pass breakups |
| Strong Safety | Avery Dixon (Bryant) | RS Senior | 6 | 25 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 interception, 2 pass breakups |
| Cornerback | Kendrick Clark (Austin Peay) | 5th Year | 2 | 6 tackles, 1 fumble recovery |
Special Teams
Here is a list of the specialists for Charleston Southern along with statistics from the season:
| Kicker | Matt Rolader | Junior | 47 | 4/4 FG, 17/17 PAT, 34 points |
| Punter | Baxter Pearce | Freshman | 37 | 27 punts, 1,096 yards, 40.6 avg., 7 inside 20, long of 55 |
| Punt Returner | Quay Kindell | RS Junior | 8 | No recorded punt returns |
| Kick Returner | Quay Kindell | RS Junior | 8 | 4 returns, 142 yards, 35.5 avg., 98-yard TD |
Final Thought
Clemson needs a game where it can get some things right. The loss to Miami was rough, and nobody is going to forget it because the Tigers beat Charleston Southern. But Saturday is a chance to see whether the team can clean up a few problems and play the kind of football we expected to see more often by now.
I’m also interested in seeing how many guys get on the field. If Clemson takes care of business early, this could be a busy afternoon for the stat sheet. There are young players who could use more snaps, and others who haven’t had many chances to show what they can do. A game like this should give the staff a chance to look at some different combinations and give those players real work.
The Tigers need to protect Reynolds, run the ball with some consistency and avoid turning a straightforward game into a long afternoon. And if the score allows it, let’s see a lot of the roster. More snaps mean more chances for someone to make a case for himself, and that’s worth watching, too.
Clemson hosts Charleston Southern on Saturday for Military Appreciation Day. The Tigers will wear purple, and kickoff is at noon on ACC Network.
Let’s see Clemson handle its business and give the rest of the roster a chance to get involved.
Spot the ball!
Go Tigers!
