Story by Rixon Lane, CCU Media Relations
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Coastal Carolina offense racked up 552 yards, including 294 on the ground, and the Chanticleer defense forced three turnovers as CCU opened the 2024 season with a dominant 55-27 win at Jacksonville State on Thursday night.
The Chanticleers earned their first road win ever over the Gamecocks and set a program record for the most points in a season opener, topping the previous mark of 52 set against The Citadel in 2021.
Coastal scored on its opening possession as Kade Hensley booted a 25-yard field goal to put CCU up 3-0 with 11:06 to play in the first quarter. After Jacksonville State tied the game on a field goal midway through the first, the Chants reclaimed the lead as quarterback Ethan Vasko found a wide-open Tray Taylor down the Gamecock sideline for a 36-yard touchdown. Vasko, who beat out transfer Noah Kim in preseason camp to earn the starting nod, rewarded his head coach by accounting for three touchdowns in the victory.
Coastal Carolina’s defense got on the scoreboard late in the quarter when Will Whitson stripped the Gamecock quarterback and Clev Lubin scooped up the fumble and rumbled 17 yards to put Coastal up 17-3.
CCU forced its second turnover in three plays as Matthew McDoom picked off JSU on the second snap of the ensuing drive.
Coastal extended its lead to 24-3 with 11:06 to go in the second quarter when Vasko scored on a four-yard rush. Braydon Bennett capped a nine-play drive late in the half with a two-yard touchdown rush to make the score 31-3 Chanticleers with 2:20 left to play in the half. Jacksonville State responded with its best drive of the night, marching 75 yards to score on a one-yard run with 19 seconds to go as Coastal took a 31-10 lead into the locker room.
After the Chanticleer defense forced a three-and-out to open the third quarter, Coastal covered 79 yards in nine plays as Bennett found the end zone on his second two-yard run of the evening to give CCU a 38-10 advantage with 9:11 remaining in the period.
The Chant defense recorded its second interception of the night on the ensuing drive when Cristian Conyer hauled in a Gamecock pass late in the third quarter. Hensley connected on a 39-yard field goal four plays later as Coastal pushed its lead to 41-10 at the 3:13 mark.
After JSU kicked a field goal to open the fourth quarter, CCU marched the field again with a nine-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a 36-yard slant pass from Vasko that Jameson Tucker took the distance. Jacksonville State managed two touchdowns in the closing minutes and CCU surpassed the 50-point mark with 2:18 remaining as Kim tossed a nine-yard touchdown to Senika McKee.
Vasko threw for 249 yards, completing 12 of his 19 passes for two touchdowns and one interception. He also had 39 yards rushing with one touchdown.
Ja’Vin Simpkins had 80 yards rushing on 12 carries, while Darren Lloyed carried the ball five times for 64 yards and Bennett finished with 11 carries for 60 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Taylor was Coastal’s leading receiver with 98 yards on three catches with a touchdown.
Shane Bruce led the Chanticleer defense with a team-high eight tackles, while Whitson tallied six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, and a forced fumble.
Coastal returns to Brooks Stadium for its home opener next Saturday at 7:00 p.m. against William & Mary.