2021 Coastal Carolina Year in Review
by Charlie Krausse December 23, 2021
@coachcrewshow
@coachcrewshow
In 2017 the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers played in their first full season as a member of the Sun Belt, finishing with just 3 wins, but closing out the season on a two game winning streak. 2018 and 2019 the Chanticleers came close to bowl eligibility but came up short each season, finishing both seasons with a 5-7 record.
2020 came around, Redshirt Freshman Grayson McCall exploded on the season, GameDay came to Conway and the entire nation fell in love with players like Teddy Gallaher while learning about the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. The Chants finished the regular season undefeated and co-champions of the Sun Belt, qualifying for the 2020 Cure Bowl. The dream season came to a close that night as Coastal lost in overtime to Liberty, but that taste in their mouth was just the beginning of 2021…
2021 SEASON
Its one thing to play against the opponent in front of you, its another when national expectations stand in front of your way, as well. The Chanticleers kicked off the season in the pre-season Top 25.
After disposing of FCS The Citadel, Coastal Carolina hosted their first ever Power 5 school in Kansas from the Big XII. Not only did the Chanticleers win, but they were favored by almost four touchdowns and covered (for those that this matters to!). Look at improvement from the ’17 season.
Coastal Carolina then went on the road and earned their first victory over a MAC school and an opponent from the state of New York. Finishing out their non-conference schedule, the Chanticleers did what they were supposed to do, winning big and early over U Mass.
Conference season play started on Parent’s Weekend as Coastal hosted ULM to their largest crowd (to date, a record re-broken later this season). The Fighting Terry Bowdens were no match as Freshman Josiah Stewart put his name in the record books, recording 3 ½ sacks, surpassing now Philadelphia Eagle, Tarron Jackson for the most sacks in a single game.
A nationally televised Thursday night road win in Jonesboro helped set up the stage for the Chanticleers next match. Though the season turned as Coastal dropped their first regular season game in two years, losing to Appalachian State on the game’s final play, a chip-shot field goal.
Eight days later the Chanticleers got back on their winning ways over Troy, but pound for pound, played their hardest hitting team of the season. That was when McCall left it all on the field. Literally. After a bigger hit, McCall threw up on the field itself. Coastal went on to win the game, but McCall did suffer from an upper body injury that night.
Early November saw Senior Quarterback, Bryce Carpenter lead Chanticleers on the field. The first time, in absolute miserable settings on the road against Georgia Southern. Where in the pouring rain, Coastal came out the victors. Then, in a back-and-forth kind of game, Coastal dropped their second game of the season to Georgia State and fully eliminated the Chants from the Sun Belt Championship.
To close out their home stand, Coastal Carolina upended Texas State where the score was closer than the play on the field. Setting up for a wild season finale on the road in Mobile as the Chants needed overtime and a strong second half to earn their 10th win on the season, over South Alabama. Senior RB Shermari Jones had himself a ballgame that night, with 211 yards rushing.
BOWL GAME
Bowl bids were announced and as fate would have it, the Chanticleers returned to the Cure Bowl this time against Northern Illinois. This time, being allowed to participate in full activities. Coastal’s offense did what they have done all season while key plays from super seniors like Silas Kelly and CJ Brewer and the game winning tackle by Manny Stokes.
Coastal Carolina won the Cure Bowl 47-41, their first ever bowl victory. Grayson McCall was named MVP. Silas Kelly had one of the more impressive outings in his career, 14 tackles and a key forced fumble. CJ Brewer had the call of the night recognizing a trick play on Northern Illinois’ 4th down attempt late in the game. But the national audience was introduced to a new Chanticleer – Brayden Bennett.
With just 10 touches, Bennett amounted 160 total yards and three touchdowns. Bennett finished 2nd on the team in rushing with 636 yards during the regular season, but it was the Cure Bowl where he shined the brightest.
TEAM LEADERS
It starts with the quarterback. Redshirt Sophomore Grayson McCall set the NCAA record for Quarterback Ratings this season, finishing with a rating of 207.65. He threw for over 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions.
Wide Receiver Jaivon Heiligh led the team in both receptions (66) and yards (1,128), while Isaiah Likely led the team with 12 TD receptions.
Coastal’s rushing attack was led by their big 3, scoring 27 TDs combined. Shermari Jones was the school’s leading rusher with 1,040 yards and 13 touchdowns. While previously mentioned Bennett not only had 600+ rushing but added 7 TDs as well. And in an injury shortened season, Reece White had 515 yards and 7 scores, as well.
The Mayor and The Sheriff (Silas Kelly and Teddy Gallagher) led the team in tackles (110 and 89 respectively). While Josiah Stewart, Enock Makonzo and Jeffrey Gunter each registered double-digit tackles for losses.
Additionally, Josiah Stewart set the Coastal Carolina single season sack record with 12.5 sacks.
Alex Spillum led the team in both blocked kicks and interceptions, showing his value not only in the defensive secondary but special teams play as well.
Guard Trey Carter said goodbye, playing in his 61st consecutive game (start), a school record.
SAY GOODBYE
Say goodbye to 28 seniors and super seniors who now each move on to bigger and better things. Twenty one of which were starters for the bowl game.
RETURNING BACK
The two biggest names are returning back to Conway for 2022 in Head Coach Jamey Chadwell and quarterback, Grayson McCall.
Other impact players returning include:
OG – Willie Lampkin
RB – Reece White
RB – Brayden Bennett
WR – Aaron Bedgood
DE – Josiah Stewart
NT – Jerrod Clark
2022 RECRUITING CLASS
The 2022 recruiting class is the highest ranked class in school history. Coastal Carolina finished 2nd in the Sun Belt (only behind Arkansas State). As far as members to the All Name are concerned, insert weapon Matthew McDoom here.
2022 SCHEDULE
Coastal Carolina has three headline matchups in their non-conference schedule. First opening up the season on Labor Day Weekend, fresh off their victory over an SEC opponent in Missouri, are the Army Black Knights. Game will be home for Coastal. Two weeks later, in a return match, Buffalo comes to Conway. Then, in late November, the Chanticleers go on the road to Charlottesville as they enter ACC country and face the Virginia Cavaliers.
September 3, 2022 vs Army Black Knights
September 10, 2022 vs Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs
September 17, 2022 vs Buffalo Bulls
November 19, 2022 at Virginia Cavalier
Sun Belt Home Opponents – Appalachian State, Louisiana, Georgia Southern, South Alabama
Sun Belt Away Opponents – Georgia State, Troy, UL Monroe, Texas State
2020 came around, Redshirt Freshman Grayson McCall exploded on the season, GameDay came to Conway and the entire nation fell in love with players like Teddy Gallaher while learning about the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. The Chants finished the regular season undefeated and co-champions of the Sun Belt, qualifying for the 2020 Cure Bowl. The dream season came to a close that night as Coastal lost in overtime to Liberty, but that taste in their mouth was just the beginning of 2021…
2021 SEASON
Its one thing to play against the opponent in front of you, its another when national expectations stand in front of your way, as well. The Chanticleers kicked off the season in the pre-season Top 25.
After disposing of FCS The Citadel, Coastal Carolina hosted their first ever Power 5 school in Kansas from the Big XII. Not only did the Chanticleers win, but they were favored by almost four touchdowns and covered (for those that this matters to!). Look at improvement from the ’17 season.
Coastal Carolina then went on the road and earned their first victory over a MAC school and an opponent from the state of New York. Finishing out their non-conference schedule, the Chanticleers did what they were supposed to do, winning big and early over U Mass.
Conference season play started on Parent’s Weekend as Coastal hosted ULM to their largest crowd (to date, a record re-broken later this season). The Fighting Terry Bowdens were no match as Freshman Josiah Stewart put his name in the record books, recording 3 ½ sacks, surpassing now Philadelphia Eagle, Tarron Jackson for the most sacks in a single game.
A nationally televised Thursday night road win in Jonesboro helped set up the stage for the Chanticleers next match. Though the season turned as Coastal dropped their first regular season game in two years, losing to Appalachian State on the game’s final play, a chip-shot field goal.
Eight days later the Chanticleers got back on their winning ways over Troy, but pound for pound, played their hardest hitting team of the season. That was when McCall left it all on the field. Literally. After a bigger hit, McCall threw up on the field itself. Coastal went on to win the game, but McCall did suffer from an upper body injury that night.
Early November saw Senior Quarterback, Bryce Carpenter lead Chanticleers on the field. The first time, in absolute miserable settings on the road against Georgia Southern. Where in the pouring rain, Coastal came out the victors. Then, in a back-and-forth kind of game, Coastal dropped their second game of the season to Georgia State and fully eliminated the Chants from the Sun Belt Championship.
To close out their home stand, Coastal Carolina upended Texas State where the score was closer than the play on the field. Setting up for a wild season finale on the road in Mobile as the Chants needed overtime and a strong second half to earn their 10th win on the season, over South Alabama. Senior RB Shermari Jones had himself a ballgame that night, with 211 yards rushing.
BOWL GAME
Bowl bids were announced and as fate would have it, the Chanticleers returned to the Cure Bowl this time against Northern Illinois. This time, being allowed to participate in full activities. Coastal’s offense did what they have done all season while key plays from super seniors like Silas Kelly and CJ Brewer and the game winning tackle by Manny Stokes.
Coastal Carolina won the Cure Bowl 47-41, their first ever bowl victory. Grayson McCall was named MVP. Silas Kelly had one of the more impressive outings in his career, 14 tackles and a key forced fumble. CJ Brewer had the call of the night recognizing a trick play on Northern Illinois’ 4th down attempt late in the game. But the national audience was introduced to a new Chanticleer – Brayden Bennett.
With just 10 touches, Bennett amounted 160 total yards and three touchdowns. Bennett finished 2nd on the team in rushing with 636 yards during the regular season, but it was the Cure Bowl where he shined the brightest.
TEAM LEADERS
It starts with the quarterback. Redshirt Sophomore Grayson McCall set the NCAA record for Quarterback Ratings this season, finishing with a rating of 207.65. He threw for over 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions.
Wide Receiver Jaivon Heiligh led the team in both receptions (66) and yards (1,128), while Isaiah Likely led the team with 12 TD receptions.
Coastal’s rushing attack was led by their big 3, scoring 27 TDs combined. Shermari Jones was the school’s leading rusher with 1,040 yards and 13 touchdowns. While previously mentioned Bennett not only had 600+ rushing but added 7 TDs as well. And in an injury shortened season, Reece White had 515 yards and 7 scores, as well.
The Mayor and The Sheriff (Silas Kelly and Teddy Gallagher) led the team in tackles (110 and 89 respectively). While Josiah Stewart, Enock Makonzo and Jeffrey Gunter each registered double-digit tackles for losses.
Additionally, Josiah Stewart set the Coastal Carolina single season sack record with 12.5 sacks.
Alex Spillum led the team in both blocked kicks and interceptions, showing his value not only in the defensive secondary but special teams play as well.
Guard Trey Carter said goodbye, playing in his 61st consecutive game (start), a school record.
SAY GOODBYE
Say goodbye to 28 seniors and super seniors who now each move on to bigger and better things. Twenty one of which were starters for the bowl game.
RETURNING BACK
The two biggest names are returning back to Conway for 2022 in Head Coach Jamey Chadwell and quarterback, Grayson McCall.
Other impact players returning include:
OG – Willie Lampkin
RB – Reece White
RB – Brayden Bennett
WR – Aaron Bedgood
DE – Josiah Stewart
NT – Jerrod Clark
2022 RECRUITING CLASS
The 2022 recruiting class is the highest ranked class in school history. Coastal Carolina finished 2nd in the Sun Belt (only behind Arkansas State). As far as members to the All Name are concerned, insert weapon Matthew McDoom here.
2022 SCHEDULE
Coastal Carolina has three headline matchups in their non-conference schedule. First opening up the season on Labor Day Weekend, fresh off their victory over an SEC opponent in Missouri, are the Army Black Knights. Game will be home for Coastal. Two weeks later, in a return match, Buffalo comes to Conway. Then, in late November, the Chanticleers go on the road to Charlottesville as they enter ACC country and face the Virginia Cavaliers.
September 3, 2022 vs Army Black Knights
September 10, 2022 vs Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs
September 17, 2022 vs Buffalo Bulls
November 19, 2022 at Virginia Cavalier
Sun Belt Home Opponents – Appalachian State, Louisiana, Georgia Southern, South Alabama
Sun Belt Away Opponents – Georgia State, Troy, UL Monroe, Texas State