Charleston’s two Division I football programs experienced very different Saturdays.

The Citadel produced the weekend’s biggest Lowcountry football story, knocking off FBS opponent Charlotte in a triple-overtime thriller, while Charleston Southern struggled offensively in a shutout loss at Georgia Southern.

Once we widen the circle beyond Charleston, South Carolina State and the Gamecocks both delivered dominant victories, while Clemson endured a difficult season opener in Baton Rouge.

Here’s how the weekend unfolded.

The Citadel Pulls Off a Triple-Overtime Stunner

The Citadel 43, Charlotte 41 — 3OT

The Bulldogs went to Charlotte looking to rebound from their season-opening loss and left with one of the program’s most memorable victories in recent years.

The Citadel defeated Charlotte 43–41 in triple overtime, earning its first victory over an FBS opponent since a 2019 overtime upset of Georgia Tech. It was the Bulldogs’ 10th win against an FBS opponent since the Division I-A/I-AA split in 1978.

Running back Gavin Garcia powered the ground attack with 137 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Nick Billoups provided a spark in the second half.

The Bulldogs rushed for 268 yards and six touchdowns as a team. In the third overtime, Billoups connected with Whit Hobgood for the go-ahead two-point conversion before The Citadel defense stopped Charlotte’s attempt to tie the game.

The victory moved The Citadel to 1–1 and gave Charleston the weekend’s biggest upset.

Charleston Southern Has a Tough Night in Statesboro

Georgia Southern 31, Charleston Southern 0

Charleston Southern’s road trip went in the opposite direction.

Georgia Southern jumped out to a 21–0 first-quarter lead and defeated the Buccaneers 31–0 at Paulson Stadium. Charleston Southern fell to 0–2 on the season.

There was at least one encouraging development for the Bucs: after surrendering 21 points in the opening quarter, the defense allowed only 10 points over the final three quarters.

The larger concern was the offense.

Charleston Southern finished with only 117 total yards, including just eight rushing yards on 31 attempts. Georgia Southern finished with 504 yards and controlled the game from the opening quarter.

For Charleston Southern, the early-season search for offensive consistency continues.

Around the State

With the two Charleston programs covered, here’s what happened with several other teams that have large followings across the Lowcountry.

SC State Improves to 2–0 in the Orange Blossom Classic

South Carolina State 31, Florida A&M 13

South Carolina State put together one of the strongest performances of the weekend in Miami.

The Bulldogs defeated Florida A&M 31–13 in the Orange Blossom Classic, improving to 2–0.

Running back Mason Pickett-Hicks was the star, rushing 17 times for 210 yards and two touchdowns, including a 58-yard score. SC State piled up 479 total yards and 292 rushing yards.

The defense was just as impressive.

Florida A&M managed only 161 total yards and finished with minus-1 rushing yard. The Rattlers’ only touchdown came on an interception return, meaning SC State’s defense did not surrender an offensive touchdown.

For an SC State program with a strong alumni presence throughout the Lowcountry, it was an emphatic early-season statement.

Gamecocks Cruise in Columbia

South Carolina 57, Kent State 0

South Carolina had little trouble in its season opener at Williams-Brice Stadium.

The Gamecocks overwhelmed Kent State 57–0, producing 645 yards of total offense while holding the Golden Flashes to 179.

Quarterback LaNorris Sellers completed 19 of 23 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns.

Donovan Murph caught two touchdown passes and finished with 92 receiving yards, while Jabree Coleman added two rushing touchdowns.

It was about as comfortable of an opening Saturday as the Gamecocks could have asked for.

Clemson Gets Overwhelmed at LSU

LSU 51, Clemson 10

Clemson’s opener was considerably rougher.

Following an approximately two-hour weather delay in Baton Rouge, LSU defeated Clemson 51–10.

Clemson actually scored first on a 49-yard Nolan Hauser field goal, but LSU took control from there.

The Tigers were held to only 145 total yards, while LSU generated 644. Clemson’s lone touchdown came late in the fourth quarter on an 11-yard run by David Eziomume.

It was a difficult opening night for Clemson and a sharp contrast to the dominant performances from South Carolina and SC State.

The Lowcountry’s Weekend in One Sentence

The Citadel provided the fireworks, Charleston Southern took its lumps, and the wider South Carolina football picture produced two dominant wins and one major setback.

For Charleston, though, the headline belongs to the Bulldogs.

Beating an FBS opponent is significant enough. Doing it 43–41 in triple overtime made The Citadel’s trip to Charlotte one of the early highlights of the 2026 college football season.