Coastal football 'adapts and adjusts', gets third straight win

After spending two weeks in a hotel after being evacuated, the Coastal Carolina football team still had business to handle.

Coming off a big win against the Campbell Camels nearly two weeks ago, the team traveled to Baton Rouge to face Sun Belt opponent Louisiana-Lafayette.

With Louisiana getting the ball first, the defense was able to force a punt. However, the offense was stopped on their first offensive series and the Chants were forced to punt early on.

The Ragin’ Cajuns were on the scoreboard first making the score 7-0 with 6:13 left to play in the first quarter.

Unable to make it even on the next series, freshman kicker Massimo Biscardi made a 50-yard field goal and cut the score to 7-3 with 3:42 on the clock.

After another defensive stop, the Chants went 76 yards on 13 plays, and took a 10-7 lead thanks two-yard touchdown run by Marcus Outlow in the second quarter.

With 6:14 left in the first half, the defense came up with a big three-and-out stop to give the ball back to the offense. Despite getting a penalty, the defense continued to stay strong and a missed field goal attempt by the Ragin Cajuns gave Coastal the ball on the 32-yard line with 28 seconds left to go before halftime.

Kilton Anderson found Ky’Jon Tyler in the end zone for a 31-yard touchdown reception but the extra point attempt was no good, putting the score at 16-7 going into the half.

Getting the ball in the second half, Anderson ran the ball for 59 yards, the longest of his career, and was able to get a 1st-and-goal from the one. Anderson remained down for a long while, holding his leg. He was able to walk off the field on his own but he did not return.

Outlow punched it in for his second touchdown of the game.

On his career long run, Anderson was taken out the game and was said to be out with a lower body injury. Bryce Carpenter, a true freshman, came into the game at quarterback and played the game of his life to keep the Chanticleers ahead.

The Ragin Cajuns scored on their next series which put the score at 23-14. After a CCU fumble, the Ragin Cajuns score again and cut the score to 23-21 at the end of the third.

A trick play from Carpenter to Isaiah Likely put the Chants up 30-21.

The Cajuns would not go away though and with 5:20 left to play, Louisiana scored a touchdown to cut the lead to 30-28. Coastal would manage to secure the win after making some big runs to run out the clock.

Outlow finished the game with 20 carries, 96 yards, and two touchdowns. Torrance Marable finished with 14 carries and 89 yards and Anderson finished with six carries and 68 yards. Carpenter finished 5-for-5 for 82 yards and a touchdown.

Ky’Jon Tyler finished with two receptions and 50 yards and Likely finished with 1 reception and 29 yards. Tyler and Likely each had a touchdown.

Silas Kelly led the defense with a game-high of seven tackles. Brayden Matts finished with six tackles, one sack and a forced fumble and Laqavious Paul finished with five tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss. Jeffrey Gunter once again made his presence known as he finished with 6 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss, and Tarron Jackson finished with five tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1.5 tackles for loss.

The Chants are on a three-game winning streak and have already matched their win total from last season. The Chanticleers will play Saturday, Sept. 29 away at Troy at 3:30 p.m.