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Early look at FSU football's opponent Charleston Southern
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- Early look at FSU football's opponent Charleston Southern
Florida State football should reach the turning point of its season.
After its road game against Notre Dame , FSU will return to Doak Campbell Stadium fresh off its bye week to focus on its first FCS opponent, Charleston Southern on Nov. 23.
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It will be the third time in program history that the Seminoles will face the Buccaneers in an FBS-FCS matchup.
Head coach Mike Norvell will likely not overlook the sub-division team after recent years, but it's a safe bet that the Seminoles will take time to focus on having their players healthy and ready for their season finale against the Florida Gators .
Let's take a look at Charleston Southern .
Who is Charleston Southern 's head coach
Charleston Southern head coach Gabe Giardina and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney shake hands after the game with Charleston Southern at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, September 9, 2023. Clemson won 66-17.
Gabe Giardina will be entering his second season at Charleston Southern. In his first year, the Buccaneers went 4-7.
Before he was at CSU, Giardina coached for five seasons at Albany State . He was 37-17, 26-5 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
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During the 2021 season, Giardina had the No. 1 total defense in Division II and was named SIAC Coach of the Year. He is also a co-head coach at the 2022 HBCU Legacy Bowl.
This is Giardina's third stint at CSU. He served as the offensive coordinator at CSU for three seasons under Jamey Chadwell.
As a play-caller, the Buccaneers won 36 games in four years, including the Big South Championship and CSU's first FCS playoff appearance.
In his first year, he coached special teams and running backs in his earlier coaching career with the Bucs.
Giardina started as a graduate assistant at the University of Alabama. He served two years under Mike Shula and one year under Nick Saban.
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The next year in 2012, he became offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Delta State .
Last meeting between FSU vs. Charleston Southern
FSU defeated Charleston Southern 52-8 on Sept. 10, 2016 at Doak Campbell Stadium.
FSU-Charleston Southern all-time history
2-0, FSU
Top returning players
Offense: QB Zolten Osborne, 777 passing yards, four TDs; WR Noah Jennings, 26 rec. 410 yards, one TD
Defense: DL Darrius Bell, 43 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles; LB Chandler Evan Perry, 37 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two passes defended, one sack; LB Joshua Hill, 37 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack;
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LB Tylis Hollins, 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception; DB Trayson Fowler 59 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, three passes defended;
DB Dominic Pagano, 31 tackles, three interceptions, one tackle for loss, one pass defended, 0.5 sack
Key Losses, Additions
Losses: RB TJ Ruff, OL Darius Meeks, LB Malik Barnes
Additions: QB Rob McCoy , RB Isaiah Moore, WR Chris Rohne, WR Jamil Bishop, DL David Portu, DB Kason Hooks, DB Robert Wilson, Tobias Lafayette
Outlook on Charleston Southern
Charleston Southern is a team that figuring itself out under Giardina. The positive note is that the Buccaneers returned 14 started and added more talent from the transfer portal.
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The Bucs' offense was their biggest struggle last year, as it was ranked No. 118 in yards per play.
CSU will likely face a quarterback battle between returning starter Zolten Osborne and Sacred Heart transfer Rob McCoy. Both quarterbacks may also see action during the regular season.
Regardless, Florida State is a highly favorite to run away with the victory against the Bucs. At the same time, there is no reason for the Seminoles to underestimate CSU either.
FSU's last loss to an FCS program was against Jacksonville State on Sept. 11, 2021.
Last season, against North Alabama , FSU lost then quarterback Jordan Travis due to a fractured and dislocated ankle . Despite a perfect regular-season record, this eventually cost the Seminoles a spot in the College Football Playoffs.
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So, the Seminoles could treat it just like another game to prepare, but it could also be a chance for some of their young players to see action on the field.
It was also prepare the Seminoles for their final showdown against their in-state rival Florida the next week.
How can I watch FSU football vs. Georgia Tech
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Date: Saturday, Aug. 24
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Time: Noon ET
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Where: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
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TV: ESPN
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Streaming: ESPN+ ($10.99 per month), WatchESPN and the ESPN app (TV provider subscription needed), fuboTV (7-day free trial ), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)
Florida State football schedule 2024
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Aug. 24 vs. Georgia Tech *Dublin, Ireland at noon., ESPN
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Sept. 2 vs. Boston College at 7:30 p.m., ESPN
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Sept. 14 vs. Memphis
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Sept. 21 vs. California
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Sept. 28 at SMU
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Oct. 5 vs. Clemson
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Oct. 18 at Duke
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Oct. 26 at (U) Miami
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Nov. 2 vs. North Carolina
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Nov. 9 at Notre Dame
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Nov. 23 vs. Charleston Southern
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Nov. 30: Florida
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Dec. 7:ACC Championship
BOLD = ACC
* = Neutral Site
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Sneak preview of Florida State vs. Charleston Southern matchup
