News Summary
The Vanderbilt Commodores football team will kick off its season against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers on August 30. Coming off a 7-6 finish last year, Vanderbilt aims for continued success after their Birmingham Bowl victory. Charleston Southern, despite a challenging season with a 1-11 record, looks improved with new recruits including a notable wide receiver and dual-threat quarterback. This season opener sets the stage for both teams, especially as Vanderbilt seeks to build on its first winning season since 2013.
Nashville, Tennessee – The Vanderbilt Commodores football team is set to kick off its 2025 season against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers on August 30, 2025. The game will take place at FirstBank Stadium at 6 p.m. CT and will be available for streaming on ESPN+/SECN+.
Vanderbilt, which finished the 2024 season with a 7-6 record, is looking to build on its first winning season since 2013. The previous season concluded with a victory against Georgia Tech in the Birmingham Bowl. In contrast, the Buccaneers ended the 2024 campaign with a disappointing record of 1-11, achieving their sole win against No. 15 Furman.
While Vanderbilt enters the matchup favored, the Commodores must remain cautious, as Charleston Southern has made notable improvements to its roster. Key additions include three-star wide receiver Kevin Boone, ranked No. 40 in South Carolina, and a dual-threat quarterback, Caden Clay, whose starting status is yet to be determined. The Buccaneers also bolstered their offensive line with Ramell Parker, who recorded 150 pancake blocks over his last two high school seasons.
Charleston Southern has not only enhanced its offense but also strengthened its defense by adding four defensive linemen, seven defensive backs, and two linebackers as part of their 24-man signing class. The Buccaneers ranked fifth in total defense in the OVC-Big South Conference for the 2024-2025 season, suggesting their capability to present challenges to their opponents.
Both teams share a historic meeting, with Vanderbilt leading the all-time series against Charleston Southern 1-0, owing to a narrow 21-20 victory in 2014. Following the game against Vanderbilt, Charleston Southern will face another tough opponent, traveling to Coastal Carolina. The Buccaneers’ schedule also includes games against four teams from last season’s FCS rankings, with three of those encounters occurring in the final three games of their season against Southeast Missouri State, UT Martin, and Tennessee State.
As Vanderbilt prepares for the upcoming season, details for their initial games following the opener have also been announced. The Commodores are slated to face Virginia Tech on September 6 at 6:30 p.m. CT, also on the ACC Network, followed by a matchup against South Carolina on September 13 at either 6 or 6:45 p.m. CT on ESPN or SEC Network.
Charleston Southern, based in Charleston, South Carolina, has an enrollment of 3,820 as of Fall 2024. The Buccaneers, whose mascot is Bucky the Buccaneer, wear gold and blue. The program has made two appearances in the FCS playoffs (2015, 2016) but has not secured a conference championship since 2016. The addition of Charleston Southern completes Vanderbilt’s non-conference schedule for the 2025 season, rounding out a challenging slate of games.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Birmingham Bowl and New Year Celebrations This Weekend
Nashville’s Vanderbilt Commodores Rise as College Football’s Unexpected ‘Ruiners’
Additional Resources
- SI.com: Charleston Southern Preview
- VU Commodores: First Three Kickoffs Set
- Hero Sports: Charleston Southern Football Schedule
- Wikipedia: Vanderbilt Commodores
- Google Search: Charleston Southern Football
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