The Lowcountry Boil Bowl Returns Saturday as The Citadel Hosts Charleston Southern
Charleston’s crosstown football rivalry returns to Johnson Hagood Stadium on September 12, with local bragging rights — and one of college football’s most uniquely Lowcountry trophies — on the line.
Charleston Southern and The Citadel will renew their crosstown rivalry Saturday night in the Lowcountry Boil Bowl, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. at Johnson Hagood Stadium.
The matchup will serve as The Citadel’s 2026 home opener and Military Appreciation Game. It will also mark the second official meeting under the Lowcountry Boil Bowl name, which was introduced in 2024 to give the long-running Charleston-area rivalry its own identity and trophy.
Yes, the trophy involves actual Lowcountry boil
When Charleston Southern and The Citadel formally named the rivalry in 2024, they leaned directly into one of the region’s best-known traditions.
The winner receives a rivalry trophy tied to a Lowcountry boil — the shrimp, sausage, corn and potato meal synonymous with gatherings across the Charleston area. The schools created the tradition as a celebration of both local culture and the proximity of the two programs.
The first one produced a game worthy of a rivalry name.
Charleston Southern built a 21-3 advantage in the inaugural 2024 matchup at Buccaneer Field before The Citadel stormed back. The Bulldogs scored 19 unanswered points and completed the comeback with less than two minutes remaining, winning 22-21 and claiming the first Lowcountry Boil Bowl.
That means Charleston Southern enters Saturday looking to take the trophy for the first time, while The Citadel gets its first opportunity to defend it.
The Citadel comes home with momentum
The Bulldogs enter Saturday at 1-1, but that record does not quite tell the story of their last outing.
After opening the season with a 42-14 loss at Wofford, The Citadel traveled to Charlotte and pulled off a 43-41 triple-overtime victory over the FBS 49ers. It was The Citadel’s first win over an FBS opponent since 2019 and earned the Bulldogs national recognition entering rivalry week.
Running back Gavin Garcia rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns in the Charlotte victory.
Now the Bulldogs return to Charleston for their first home appearance of the season with the Boil Bowl trophy already in their possession.
Charleston Southern is looking for a reset
The Buccaneers arrive at 0-2 after opening the season with a narrow 20-17 loss at Lindenwood before falling 31-0 at Georgia Southern last weekend.
Saturday will also complete a difficult three-game road stretch to begin CSU’s season. Charleston Southern will not play its first game at Buccaneer Field until September 19 against Point.
For the Buccaneers, beating their crosstown rival would provide both their first victory of the season and their first Lowcountry Boil Bowl trophy.
Another chapter in a close-to-home rivalry
Saturday will be the 15th all-time football meeting between Charleston Southern and The Citadel. The Bulldogs currently lead the overall series 8-6.
But the geography makes this matchup different from most games on either schedule. These are two Division I football programs separated by only a short drive, competing for many of the same local fans, recruits and bragging rights.
Now there is a trophy — and some shrimp — involved too.
Game information
Charleston Southern at The Citadel — Lowcountry Boil Bowl
Saturday, September 12, 2026
6 p.m.
Johnson Hagood Stadium — Charleston, SC
TV: ESPN+
Radio: 102.1 FM The City
Theme: Military Appreciation Game
Single-game tickets are currently listed for Saturday’s matchup through The Citadel’s official ticketing site.
Lowcountry Boil Bowl Tickets
