After finishing last season on a strong note, winning four of its last five games, Charleston Southern was hoping for some carryover going into Coach Gabe Gardini’s fourth season.

The Buccaneers, 5-7 last year, unfortunately did not get it last week when they opened the season with a 20-17 loss at Lindenwood in an Ohio Valley Conference game. They are not expected to get it against Georgia Southern on Saturday, either.

Coming off a 7-6 season capped by a 29-10 win over Appalachian State in the JLab Birmingham Bowl the Eagles are a 27.5-point favorite against the Bucs for the 7 p.m. game at Paulson Stadium.

Despite the disappointing opening game loss Gardina is optimistic about his team’s chances of posting its first winning season since 2017. That optimism is based on the presence of a bevy of veteran players and the development of quarterback Lek Powell who is in his second year at CSU after playing four years at Division II Shepherd (W.Va.) College.

“We’re excited about him and what he brings to the table as a leader and playmaker which certainly stand out about him,” Gardina said of Powell who saw limited action last year as a backup. “He has good command in the huddle, makes plays and overall has helped our offense.

“He started 12 games two years ago at Shepherd so he has some experience. I think he’s grown a lot in fall camp. We’re excited to see how good we can be offensively.”

Powell completed 18 of 32 pass attempts for 208 yards against Lindenwood but he also threw a back breaking interception which turned out to be the difference in the game.

The two teams were tied 3-3 and the Bucs were driving for a go-ahead score when disaster struck. With 25 seconds left in the first half Southern had marched to the Lindenwood 20-yard line when Powell’s pass to the flat was intercepted and returned 85-yards for a touchdown.

Charleston Southern never recovered, eventually falling behind 20-10 before scoring a touchdown with five minutes left to set the final margin.

Three of those passes for 46 yards, incidentally, were caught by KD Dorsey who transferred from Georgia Southern. Dorsey did not play the past two seasons with the Eagles

Despite the loss Gardina, who was a kicker at Alabama under Mike Shula and Nick Saban and started his coaching career under Saban, was pleased with Powell’s overall play.

“I thought Lek played courageously,” Gardina said. “He got a little banged up late, but he battled and led this football team.”

The Lindenwood game was a microcosm of last year when the Bucs were involved in eight one-score games. CSU was 5-3 in those contests and Gardina is counting on that late game success to carry over this season.

The Bucs had a whopping 19 players earn first, second or third team pre-season OVC honors with All America linebacker Steve Zayachowsky leading the way.

Zayachowsky, a 5-10, 215-pound senior was also selected as the pre-season conference defensive Player of the Year and he is the heart and soul of the Bucs defense.

“We’ve been a stingy defense the last two years,” Gardina said. “We’ve got a lot of guys returning and we’ve got greater depth.”

Joining Zayachowsky on the pre-season first team were defensive backs Champ Brantley and Anthony Paul and defensive lineman Mylan Bowen. All told nine defensive players were selected.

Offensively wide receiver Mekhi Campbell gives Powell a big target. He had 40 catches last year. Right guard Ethan Hunt has started 25 straight games and he leads an experienced offensive line.

“I like our offensive line,” Gardina said. “Ethan, (center) Justin Joe and (right tackle) Josiah Campbell are guys people don’t know much about but they’re more seasoned guys. This is an improved unit.”

The Savannah area is well represented on the Georgia heavy Bucs squad. Redshirt freshman Harry Smalls of Savannah Christian is the backup running back. Long snapper Ross Rambo of Calvary Day is an all-conference pick, safety Brandon McDonald played at Richmond Hill, offensive lineman Isaac Smith played at Jenkins and defensive lineman Shaun Hamilton played at New Hampshire.

All told Gardina has 42 players from Georgia. Prior to going to Charleston Southern he was the head coach at Albany State where he went 35-17 in four years and got to know the state.

“Our group is confident,” Gardina said. “We don’t hope. We know who we want to be.”