In this installment we examine the number eight ranked milestone game in Coastal football history. The game occurred on November 18, 2017. Coastal took a long road trip out to Moscow, Idaho to take on then Sun Belt foes, the Idaho Vandals.
Some of the numbers from that game demonstrate the competitive 13-7 score and Coastal win. CCU had 275 total yards to Idaho’s 277. Coastal had 100 passing yards to Idaho’s 177. Both teams had a turnover each and CCU only committed three penalties to Idaho’s eight. For the Chants, Alex James ran for 85 yards and the lone touchdown in that game. Evan Rabon booted two long field goals of thirty four and fifty two yards. Idaho never scored after putting the ball in the end zone on their first possession.
Why is this game so important? This was the first Sun Belt win for the Chants in program history. At that point, many fans (self-included) questioned whether or not the move to FBS at that time was a good one. Coastal had just survived a nine game losing streak. That streak didn’t help the mood, but the Idaho win gave hope that CCU could maybe compete on this level. At that point, it was the longest road trip in Coastal history. The Chants traveled 2,737 miles to get to that game that week. To win in such an environment as the Kibbie Dome that far from Conway was also a milestone in and of itself. Clutch road performances from individuals such as; Alex James and Evan Rabon and also including Marcus Williamson who came up with a huge sack on fourth down ending the Vandals’ chances at winning were notable in the effort.
The win established the Chants as a team that could win on the FBS level that day. While there are bigger games in Coastal history, this one was the impetus for future FBS success.
Some of the numbers from that game demonstrate the competitive 13-7 score and Coastal win. CCU had 275 total yards to Idaho’s 277. Coastal had 100 passing yards to Idaho’s 177. Both teams had a turnover each and CCU only committed three penalties to Idaho’s eight. For the Chants, Alex James ran for 85 yards and the lone touchdown in that game. Evan Rabon booted two long field goals of thirty four and fifty two yards. Idaho never scored after putting the ball in the end zone on their first possession.
Why is this game so important? This was the first Sun Belt win for the Chants in program history. At that point, many fans (self-included) questioned whether or not the move to FBS at that time was a good one. Coastal had just survived a nine game losing streak. That streak didn’t help the mood, but the Idaho win gave hope that CCU could maybe compete on this level. At that point, it was the longest road trip in Coastal history. The Chants traveled 2,737 miles to get to that game that week. To win in such an environment as the Kibbie Dome that far from Conway was also a milestone in and of itself. Clutch road performances from individuals such as; Alex James and Evan Rabon and also including Marcus Williamson who came up with a huge sack on fourth down ending the Vandals’ chances at winning were notable in the effort.
The win established the Chants as a team that could win on the FBS level that day. While there are bigger games in Coastal history, this one was the impetus for future FBS success.