CONWAY, SC: Coastal Carolina football got exactly what it wanted heading into Saturday’s regular season finale against #24 James Madison. A nationally ranked team was in town with a berth in the Sun Belt Conference championship game on the line. All CCU had to do was defend its teal turf.
Instead, James Madison completely dominated the Chanticleers and turned a day of promise into an absolute nightmare for the home team as the Dukes rolled out of Conway with a 56-14 triumph in front of just over 16,000 fans at Brooks Stadium. The loss, coupled with Appalachian State’s 55-27 win over Georgia Southern, keeps the Chanticleers home next week, as the Mountaineers will face Troy for the Sun Belt title. CCU now awaits its bowl destination after wrapping up the regular season at 7-5.
Game Story Courtesy of CCU Media Relations: JMU struck first with a one-yard touchdown run to go ahead 7-0 with 5:41 to play in the first quarter, then broke the game open with 21 points in the second quarter to take a 28-0 lead into the locker room.
Sam Pinckney made history on Coastal’s second offensive possession, hauling in a 15-yard reception to become the Sun Belt Conference’s career leader in receiving yards. Pinckney, who extended his NCAA record streak of consecutive games with a reception to 57, broke T.Y. Hilton’s conference record of 3,531 career receiving yards.
James Madison extended its lead to 35-0 in the third quarter before Coastal got on the board with a 42-yard touchdown pass from Ethan Vasko to Max Balthazar at the 7:07 mark. However, the Dukes answered with 21 consecutive points. Vasko capped the scoring with a 16-yard rush with 3:12 left in the game.
Vasko finished 21-of-29 for 254 yards and one touchdown, while Pinckney led the receivers with four catches for 63 yards. Vasko paced the rushing attack with 45 yards on nine carries.