Chants Defy ‘GameDay’ Expectations, Win Statement Matchup
by Charlie Krausse December 5, 2020
Predicted last in the Sun Belt. Overcame that. Doubted by ESPN. Overcame that. Gained love by Marty and McGee and Pat McAfee. Went on a winning streak. Then, the unreal transpired. Sitting at 9-0 nationally ranked, the Chanticleers found out this past Monday that they would host ESPN’s College GameDay! A true rare honor. Fourty-eight hours later, their arch rival Liberty had to pull out due to COVID reasons. In comes BYU with no prep.
GameDay still arrived in Conway, SC for now an even bigger matchup as the Cougars were ranked #13 in the College Football Rankings. Rece and the guys had phenomenal coverage of both Coastal Carolina University and Myrtle Beach, SC. Job well done. It was hyped as the 'Mormons vs. the Mullets'.
But, when it mattered most, the moment the nation was waiting for, ESPN did exactly what senior linebacker Silas Kelly wanted them to do – everyone of the GameDay crew, including Bear (Chris Falica), all picked BYU to win. “I love it!” exclaimed Kelly, “I hope everyone picks against us the rest of the season.” Desmond, Kirk, David, Bear and even Mr. Headgear himself, Lee Corso, all picked BYU to win.
“One thing I know about our football team is, if you slight us, we’ll use that as motivation,” added Head Coach Jamey Chadwell after the game.
Fast-forward to 5:30pm ET when the game kicked off. After trading punts on the opening possessions, the Chanticleers struck first. Not only did they strike first, but the game plan by Coach Chadwell was revealed as the boys in teal marched down the field on a 17 play, 94 yard drive taking over 9 minutes off the clock as CJ Marable ran it on to open up the scoring. “The only way we were going to win that game was keep it away from #1,” added Chadwell. Number one, being BYU quarterback Zach Wilson.
“I give credit to those guys up front, they took it personal,” said Chadwell. The game went back and forth throughout the first half. Then, the second half arrived. The second half continues to be a dominant spot for the Black Swarm defense. The defense has not let off a meaningful 2nd half touchdown since October 24th and that continued tonight.
Coastal’s defense shut down BYU in the second half, holding the Cougars to 3 points the entire second half.
Coastal’s game plan was ball control and clock management. The Chants carried the ball 54 times and gained 281 yards rushing. Bare in mind, BYU’s defense only lets up 89 yards a game, so the Chanticleers rushing attack put on over three times the normal amount of yards.
The Chanticleers took the lead in the fourth quarter after CJ Marable’s second touchdown run of the game. Coastal’s possession that scoring march was another 13 plays and 85 yards of offense. Coastal Carolina totaled 405 yards of total offense on BYU.
The game came down to Victory Defense as Coach Chadwell put it. “We’ve been practicing that defense every Friday.” And like the Titans and Rams from Super Bowl from Super Bowl XXXIV, the Chanticleers stopped Zach Wilson and BYU’s final drive just in front of the goal line on the game’s final play.
The Chanticleers move to 10-0 and now the only question that remains is how much respect (or disrespect) does the Playoff Committee give them. Coastal Carolina has two games remaining before they can fully focus on what bowl game may be their destination. Next week, they travel to Troy for a Sun Belt Conference match that was rescheduled from earlier in the year. Then in two weeks, the Chanticleers host nationally ranked Louisiana in the Sun Belt Championship game.
A birth in the Peach Bowl is only two wins and one Cincinnati loss away. From there, they could find themselves against one of the big boys from the SEC, the Georgia Bulldogs. But, that is then. For now, ESPN, College GameDay and the rest of the college football world learned that Lee Corso’s head gear picks are no longer undefeated and the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers are for real.
GameDay still arrived in Conway, SC for now an even bigger matchup as the Cougars were ranked #13 in the College Football Rankings. Rece and the guys had phenomenal coverage of both Coastal Carolina University and Myrtle Beach, SC. Job well done. It was hyped as the 'Mormons vs. the Mullets'.
But, when it mattered most, the moment the nation was waiting for, ESPN did exactly what senior linebacker Silas Kelly wanted them to do – everyone of the GameDay crew, including Bear (Chris Falica), all picked BYU to win. “I love it!” exclaimed Kelly, “I hope everyone picks against us the rest of the season.” Desmond, Kirk, David, Bear and even Mr. Headgear himself, Lee Corso, all picked BYU to win.
“One thing I know about our football team is, if you slight us, we’ll use that as motivation,” added Head Coach Jamey Chadwell after the game.
Fast-forward to 5:30pm ET when the game kicked off. After trading punts on the opening possessions, the Chanticleers struck first. Not only did they strike first, but the game plan by Coach Chadwell was revealed as the boys in teal marched down the field on a 17 play, 94 yard drive taking over 9 minutes off the clock as CJ Marable ran it on to open up the scoring. “The only way we were going to win that game was keep it away from #1,” added Chadwell. Number one, being BYU quarterback Zach Wilson.
“I give credit to those guys up front, they took it personal,” said Chadwell. The game went back and forth throughout the first half. Then, the second half arrived. The second half continues to be a dominant spot for the Black Swarm defense. The defense has not let off a meaningful 2nd half touchdown since October 24th and that continued tonight.
Coastal’s defense shut down BYU in the second half, holding the Cougars to 3 points the entire second half.
Coastal’s game plan was ball control and clock management. The Chants carried the ball 54 times and gained 281 yards rushing. Bare in mind, BYU’s defense only lets up 89 yards a game, so the Chanticleers rushing attack put on over three times the normal amount of yards.
The Chanticleers took the lead in the fourth quarter after CJ Marable’s second touchdown run of the game. Coastal’s possession that scoring march was another 13 plays and 85 yards of offense. Coastal Carolina totaled 405 yards of total offense on BYU.
The game came down to Victory Defense as Coach Chadwell put it. “We’ve been practicing that defense every Friday.” And like the Titans and Rams from Super Bowl from Super Bowl XXXIV, the Chanticleers stopped Zach Wilson and BYU’s final drive just in front of the goal line on the game’s final play.
The Chanticleers move to 10-0 and now the only question that remains is how much respect (or disrespect) does the Playoff Committee give them. Coastal Carolina has two games remaining before they can fully focus on what bowl game may be their destination. Next week, they travel to Troy for a Sun Belt Conference match that was rescheduled from earlier in the year. Then in two weeks, the Chanticleers host nationally ranked Louisiana in the Sun Belt Championship game.
A birth in the Peach Bowl is only two wins and one Cincinnati loss away. From there, they could find themselves against one of the big boys from the SEC, the Georgia Bulldogs. But, that is then. For now, ESPN, College GameDay and the rest of the college football world learned that Lee Corso’s head gear picks are no longer undefeated and the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers are for real.
picture courtesy of AL.com