Last Second TD Sparks Chants Shootout Victory
by Charlie Krausse December 12, 2020
QB Grayson McCall threw for 338 yards and the game winning TD
Coastal Carolina entered their regular season finale at Troy in a weird and awkward position. Realistically, a win does not do much more for their resume; however, a loss would knock them out of contention for a New Year’s Six bowl game - AND - a win or loss would not affect next week's appearance in the Sun Belt Championship game. Coastal Carolina defeated Troy in a shootout, 42-38.
As early as Wednesday, Coach Chadwell noted the Chanticleers have not had the best of weeks practicing since they were so banged up from the BYU game the previous weekend. Fast-forward to the matchup in Troy and the Chanticleers had a matchup waiting for them.
The Chanticleers had an early lead but ultimately needed a come from behind touchdown with 0:35 seconds remaining for Coastal to secure the victory. Catching the game winning pass was wide-out Jaivon Heileigh who told himself simply, “get open”. “I stuck my foot in the ground and my defender fell, I knew he wasn’t going to catch me,” said Heileigh.
“The team did not play with our normal amount of juice and energy,” admitted Coach Chadwell. In some ways, that was expected and overdue. The defense has been outstanding all season and law of averages said they were overdue for one game where they did not fully dominate. Maybe it was because of the emotional win over BYU one week prior. Maybe it was because of some of the emotional leaders, like Silas Kelly, still nicked up from the previous week only being used sparingly.
Regardless, when the defense was needed one final time, they came up big. Last week’s Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week, Jeffrey Gunter got the Chants only sack, stripped the ball and caused the fumble. Senior captain, Teddy Gallagher recovered the fumble to seal the victory.
Coastal Carolina’s offense put up the numbers. The Chanticleers showcased with 514 yards. Leading the way was their redshirt freshman quarterback, Grayson McCall. “He’s cooler than the other side of the pillow,” commented Chadwell. McCall threw for 338 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus an additional 40 yards and a rushing touchdown. He did throw only his second interception of the season though, which led to Troy taking the lead with only 1:20 remaining in the game.
The next drive, McCall took things to the next level. The quarterback went 4 for 4 on the game winning drive, moving the ball 75 yards in 45 seconds. The game winning score was capped off with a 23 yard pass to Heiligh.
The defense and offense has been a great compliment for one another all season. “We have this relationship of we’ve got your back. That’s where all of our grind comes in; all the tears come in,” said Heiligh. “They continue to make us better. We continue to make them better.”
Leading the attack on the ground was senior runningback, CJ Marable, earning his third straight 100 yard ground game. The A-Back scored three touchdowns and combined for 167 yards in total offense.
Jeffrey Gunter woke up hungry for the second game in a row. Not only did he have the game saving sack and strip fumble, but recorded 5 tackles and a QB Hurry.
The Chanticleers now travel home to Conway, SC where they will host the Sun Belt Championships next Saturday at noon, broadcasted on ESPN. Coastal Carolina will play #19 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. The Cajuns only loss during the regular season was on a Wednesday night in October when Coastal won on a last second field goal.
Coastal Carolina is playing for their first Sun Belt Championship while this is Louisiana’s 4th consecutive appearance in the championship game.
As early as Wednesday, Coach Chadwell noted the Chanticleers have not had the best of weeks practicing since they were so banged up from the BYU game the previous weekend. Fast-forward to the matchup in Troy and the Chanticleers had a matchup waiting for them.
The Chanticleers had an early lead but ultimately needed a come from behind touchdown with 0:35 seconds remaining for Coastal to secure the victory. Catching the game winning pass was wide-out Jaivon Heileigh who told himself simply, “get open”. “I stuck my foot in the ground and my defender fell, I knew he wasn’t going to catch me,” said Heileigh.
“The team did not play with our normal amount of juice and energy,” admitted Coach Chadwell. In some ways, that was expected and overdue. The defense has been outstanding all season and law of averages said they were overdue for one game where they did not fully dominate. Maybe it was because of the emotional win over BYU one week prior. Maybe it was because of some of the emotional leaders, like Silas Kelly, still nicked up from the previous week only being used sparingly.
Regardless, when the defense was needed one final time, they came up big. Last week’s Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week, Jeffrey Gunter got the Chants only sack, stripped the ball and caused the fumble. Senior captain, Teddy Gallagher recovered the fumble to seal the victory.
Coastal Carolina’s offense put up the numbers. The Chanticleers showcased with 514 yards. Leading the way was their redshirt freshman quarterback, Grayson McCall. “He’s cooler than the other side of the pillow,” commented Chadwell. McCall threw for 338 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus an additional 40 yards and a rushing touchdown. He did throw only his second interception of the season though, which led to Troy taking the lead with only 1:20 remaining in the game.
The next drive, McCall took things to the next level. The quarterback went 4 for 4 on the game winning drive, moving the ball 75 yards in 45 seconds. The game winning score was capped off with a 23 yard pass to Heiligh.
The defense and offense has been a great compliment for one another all season. “We have this relationship of we’ve got your back. That’s where all of our grind comes in; all the tears come in,” said Heiligh. “They continue to make us better. We continue to make them better.”
Leading the attack on the ground was senior runningback, CJ Marable, earning his third straight 100 yard ground game. The A-Back scored three touchdowns and combined for 167 yards in total offense.
Jeffrey Gunter woke up hungry for the second game in a row. Not only did he have the game saving sack and strip fumble, but recorded 5 tackles and a QB Hurry.
The Chanticleers now travel home to Conway, SC where they will host the Sun Belt Championships next Saturday at noon, broadcasted on ESPN. Coastal Carolina will play #19 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. The Cajuns only loss during the regular season was on a Wednesday night in October when Coastal won on a last second field goal.
Coastal Carolina is playing for their first Sun Belt Championship while this is Louisiana’s 4th consecutive appearance in the championship game.
picture courtesy of Montgomery Advertiser