Mobile, AL: Through the first three games of the season, Coastal Carolina was more than generous with the football. As a matter of fact, the Chanticleers entered Saturday night’s Sun Belt Conference opener at South Alabama dead last in FBS football with a -9 turnover margin. Boy, did CCU pick a really good time to get stingy.
Coastal forced three turnovers, one of which resulted in a scoop-and-score return for a touchdown by Tray Brown, to defeat the Jaguars 38-20 in front of an announced crowd of 17,050 in Mobile. The Chanticleers, who, for the first time this season, did not commit a turnover, outscored South Alabama 31-6 in the second half to rally back from a 14-7 halftime deficit. CCU will enjoy an open date next Saturday at 2-2 overall and 1-0 in Sun Belt Conference action. South Alabama dropped to 1-3 with the loss and 0-1 in league play heading into a road trip to North Texas next Saturday.
Game Recap Courtesy of CCU Media Relations: Coastal Carolina opened Sun Belt play with a 38-20 road win over South Alabama on Saturday night, powered by complimentary football in all three phases.
The Chanticleers (2-2) forced three turnovers, including a fourth-quarter strip sack by defensive end Noah Arinze that was recovered and returned 13 yards for a touchdown by linebacker Tray Brown seal the win. Arinze notched two of Coastal’s four sacks on the night.
Running back Ja’Vin Simpkins led the ground game with a team-high 84 rushing yards, including a 24-yard touchdown. Jevon Edwards chipped in with 51 yards on five carries, helping Coastal rack up 190 yards on the ground.
Quarterback Tad Hudson protected the ball and accounted for three total touchdowns. He threw for two scores and added a seven-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, finishing with 130 of Coastal’s 294 total yards of offense. Hudson’s first touchdown pass was a 19-yard completion to wide receiver Malick Meiga. He connected with Robby Washington for a 17-yard score in the second quarter. Seven different Chanticleers caught passes, with former West Florence High School standout Bryson Graves leading the team with five receptions for 35 yards.