---
title: "Charleston Southern Rally Falls Short vs Western Illinois"
url: https://www.herecharleston.com/2026/11/01/charleston-southern-falls-western-illinois-42-35/
date: 2026-11-01T05:43:28-05:00
modified: 2026-11-01T05:43:28-05:00
author: "E. J. Chatt"
categories: ["Sports"]
site: "HERE Charleston"
attribution: "HERE Charleston"
---

# Charleston Southern Rally Falls Short vs Western Illinois

> NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Charleston Southern climbed out of a 14-point hole on Saturday, Oct. 31, only to lose 42-35 to Western Illinois on a touchdown with 15 seconds left in North Charleston. The Buccaneers trailed 35-21 after three quarters. Jayden Hancock then scored twice in less than two minutes of the fourth, returning an

*Source: [HERE Charleston](https://www.herecharleston.com/2026/11/01/charleston-southern-falls-western-illinois-42-35/) — November 1, 2026 by E. J. Chatt*

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Charleston Southern climbed out of a 14-point hole on Saturday, Oct. 31, only to lose 42-35 to Western Illinois on a touchdown with 15 seconds left in North Charleston.

The Buccaneers trailed 35-21 after three quarters. Jayden Hancock then scored twice in less than two minutes of the fourth, returning an interception 39 yards and a fumble 19 yards to tie it at 35. Tristan Lennon had already brought back a pick 65 yards for a score in the third.

Western Illinois answered with a 99-yard drive, finished by a 14-yard run from Ihson E. Jackson-Anderson.

Leathernecks quarterback Kennedy McGill was the difference, as he rushed for 295 yards and four touchdowns and threw for 180 more. Hakeem Watters led Charleston Southern with 124 rushing yards, including a 50-yard scoring run, while Caden Clay passed for 84 yards. A crowd of 4,055 watched.