CSU announces 2015 football schedule

CHARLESTON, SC - Road trips to face Alabama, Troy, and The Citadel, in addition to Big South home games against Coastal Carolina and Liberty highlight the 2015 Charleston Southern football schedule, released on Tuesday.

For the second-consecutive year, CSU will face two FBS programs, making trips to Alabama (Nov. 21) and Troy (Sept. 12). The Bucs will also face two first-year FCS programs in East Tennessee State and Kennesaw State. KSU is the newest member of the Big South Conference and will be the Bucs' final road trip of the conference season on Nov. 7.

Bucs' head coach Jamey Chadwell, who is 18-7 in his two seasons at CSU, sees an exciting mix of college football's elite as well as local and conference rivals in the Bucs' 2015 slate.

"I am excited about the opportunities that we have for our 2015 schedule," Chadwell said Tuesday. "We have our Big South games with two of our biggest rivals being at home. It's also exciting to have the opportunity to play Troy, which has a rich tradition, and obviously Alabama, with their history of national prominence, the numerous championships and the atmosphere of Bryant-Denney Stadium."

The Bucs will open their home slate with a pair of Thursday night games. CSU's season opener is North Greenville on Sept. 3 at Buccaneer Field. The Bucs are 11-1 all-time against North Greenville and 1-0 under Chadwell.

Chadwell will face his alma mater in the Bucs' second Thursday night game when ETSU visits Charleston. ETSU is a first-year program restarting football and is a member of the Southern Conference. Chadwell played quarterback at ETSU and graduated from there in 2000.

"The two Southern Conference opponents that we have on our schedule will be big for us," Chadwell added. "With our cross-town foe (The Citadel) and ETSU coming to town. That will be a special one for me, obviously, because I of played there and the time that I spent (at ETSU). It holds a special place in my heart and I'm excited that they have brought football back."

CSU opens Big South play at home against Monmouth on Oct. 10. Followed by road trips to Presbyterian (Oct. 17) and Gardner-Webb (Oct. 24)

The Bucs marquee Big South home contests against Coastal Carolina (Oct. 31) and Liberty (Nov. 14) are late in the season. CSU will host Coastal Carolina on Halloween, while Liberty visits for homecoming and Senior Day in mid-November. The Bucs knocked off the Flames in their Big South finale last season, 38-36.

Ticket information and kickoff times will be announced at a later date.

Charleston Southern will hold its spring game at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning at Buccaneer Field.

2015 Charleston Southern Football Schedule

Date

Opponent

Sept. 3 (Thurs.) North Greenville

Sept. 12 at Troy

Sept. 17 (Thurs.) East Tennessee St.

Sept.26 at The Citadel

Oct. 10 Monmouth*

Oct. 17 at Presbyterian*

Oct. 24 at Gardner-Webb*

Oct. 31 Coastal Carolina*

Nov. 7 at Kennesaw St.*

Nov. 14 Liberty (HC)*

Nov. 21 at Alabama

HC - Homecoming

* Big South Conference Game