In this series, I will examine which games (from 10 to 1) are the the milestone games for Coastal Carolina football. Using the metric of; impact on the program, national recognition, and symbolic importance, I’m sharing what I feel to be the top ten milestone games in CCU football history. You are welcomed to debate this list, a certain game, or anything else in the countdown at any time. Message us here, comment on our YouTube page, or see one of us in person! All content is good content! Having said that, let’s get to number ten.
Number ten took place on November 12th, 2022. Coastal hosted Sun Belt conference foe Southern Miss. This is the first ever meeting between Coastal Carolina and Southern Miss and in Brooks Stadium that night, the Chants entered the game with an 8-1 record and Southern Miss was at 5-4. With a win, CCU would clinch the East and earn a spot in the title game. On senior day and military appreciation day, Coastal raced out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. Rushing touchdowns from Aaron Bedgood and Reese White followed by a field goal from forty three yards gave CCU a strong start. However, Southern Miss would not be denied. Southern Miss managed to tie the game going into halftime at 17 and take the lead in the third quarter at 20-17. From there, the teams will kick field goals until CCU takes the lead back with 9:20 left. They’ll hold on to the 26-23 lead and that will be the final.
In this game, CCU was outgained by five total yards. There was only one fumble, but CCU threw two interceptions Both teams had their share of penalties and, by many of the statistical categories, was an even game. USM amassed 313 yards in the air vs CCU rushing for 170. CJ Beasley ran four times for 68 yards including a 56 yard run that set up the winning field goal from Cade Hensley. Reese White had two rushing touchdowns and Sam Pinckney had four catches for 106 yards
So based on the criteria, here’s why this game is our tenth ranked milestone game in Coastal history. This win secured the East Division title for Coastal. The Chants, who had relied on Grayson McCall for the last three seasons, managed to win a big game without him with Jarret Guest under center. If you are aware of this game, or attended, that was a sigh of relief! This moment in Coastal football history proved to be a solidification that the Chanticleer football program was going to be here to stay in the Sun Belt. This win marked the building block of a strong FBS program.
Some of the reaction to the game came from various places including social media. A Twitter user @usmbsbfan posting: “Yeah, all Coastal has to do is sweep Marshall to claim outright. They control their own destiny.” Another from Facebook, A Facebook group post: “My late story after last night’s loss… Southern Miss will have to wait yet another week to reach bowl eligibility after a 26-23 defeat to Coastal Carolina.”
After the win, the next game against Virginia was canceled due to a tragic shooting on their campus. The Chants, who built up to a fever pitch of a crescendo, will fall in the next three games amid controversy around Coach Jamey Chadwell’s leaving. The Chants would fall to James Madison 47-7, lose in the Sun Belt title game to Troy 45-26, and the Birmingham Bowl to East Carolina 53-29. The Birmingham Bowl was led by interim coach Chad Staggs.
Chants Up!
Coming up Milestone game #9
Number ten took place on November 12th, 2022. Coastal hosted Sun Belt conference foe Southern Miss. This is the first ever meeting between Coastal Carolina and Southern Miss and in Brooks Stadium that night, the Chants entered the game with an 8-1 record and Southern Miss was at 5-4. With a win, CCU would clinch the East and earn a spot in the title game. On senior day and military appreciation day, Coastal raced out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. Rushing touchdowns from Aaron Bedgood and Reese White followed by a field goal from forty three yards gave CCU a strong start. However, Southern Miss would not be denied. Southern Miss managed to tie the game going into halftime at 17 and take the lead in the third quarter at 20-17. From there, the teams will kick field goals until CCU takes the lead back with 9:20 left. They’ll hold on to the 26-23 lead and that will be the final.
In this game, CCU was outgained by five total yards. There was only one fumble, but CCU threw two interceptions Both teams had their share of penalties and, by many of the statistical categories, was an even game. USM amassed 313 yards in the air vs CCU rushing for 170. CJ Beasley ran four times for 68 yards including a 56 yard run that set up the winning field goal from Cade Hensley. Reese White had two rushing touchdowns and Sam Pinckney had four catches for 106 yards
So based on the criteria, here’s why this game is our tenth ranked milestone game in Coastal history. This win secured the East Division title for Coastal. The Chants, who had relied on Grayson McCall for the last three seasons, managed to win a big game without him with Jarret Guest under center. If you are aware of this game, or attended, that was a sigh of relief! This moment in Coastal football history proved to be a solidification that the Chanticleer football program was going to be here to stay in the Sun Belt. This win marked the building block of a strong FBS program.
Some of the reaction to the game came from various places including social media. A Twitter user @usmbsbfan posting: “Yeah, all Coastal has to do is sweep Marshall to claim outright. They control their own destiny.” Another from Facebook, A Facebook group post: “My late story after last night’s loss… Southern Miss will have to wait yet another week to reach bowl eligibility after a 26-23 defeat to Coastal Carolina.”
After the win, the next game against Virginia was canceled due to a tragic shooting on their campus. The Chants, who built up to a fever pitch of a crescendo, will fall in the next three games amid controversy around Coach Jamey Chadwell’s leaving. The Chants would fall to James Madison 47-7, lose in the Sun Belt title game to Troy 45-26, and the Birmingham Bowl to East Carolina 53-29. The Birmingham Bowl was led by interim coach Chad Staggs.
Chants Up!
Coming up Milestone game #9