HUNTINGTON, W. VA.: For John Denver, West Virginia was “Almost Heaven.” For Coastal Carolina, Huntington must have felt like paradise through the first 15 minutes of game time Saturday as the Chanticleers raced out to a 21-0 lead. Despite being outgained the rest of the night, Coastal’s opening flurry proved to be enough as the Chants held on for a 24-13 victory over Marshall.
Coastal Carolina converted 4th and 1 as part of an 11-play opening drive, setting up a 2-yard touchdown run from quarterback Grayson McCall. Bryce Carpenter punched in the next score on a 3-yard rush and McCall followed that up with a 37-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jacob Jenkins. Marshall (4-4, 1-3) responded, scoring the game’s next 13 points, but defensive tackle Ja’Quon Griffin slammed the door shut with a strip sack in the game’s waning minutes. After closing the gap to 21-13, the Chanticleers defense took over. Marshall’s next four possessions resulted in a three-and-out, a turnover on downs and a pair of lost fumbles. Kade Hensley provided Coastal’s only points of the second half with a fourth-quarter field goal from 27 yards out.
Head coach Jamey Chadwell was pleased with the adjustments his defense made following the open date, “When we needed a couple of turnovers, we got them and we made it hard on them on third down. We feel like we’ve got a good defense and we hadn’t played to what we’re capable of. But you saw today, when we lock in, we’ve got a chance to be pretty good.”
Offensively, Coastal Carolina (7-1, 4-1) didn’t put up gaudy numbers, with McCall throwing for just 121 yards on 13 of 24 passing, but played field position and time of possession brilliantly to keep the Herd at arms’ length throughout the game.
The Chanticleers will next play host to Appalachian State in a quick turnaround. Kickoff from Brooks Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m., Thursday.
