CCU defeats App State; Remains undefeated

In a game many considered to be the probable deciding factor in the outcome of the Sunbelt conference, Coastal Carolina defeated Appalachian State University by a score of 34 to 23 to improve to 8-0. The Chants also moved up one spot in the coaches poll to 17, but dropped on the AP poll to spot 16.

The final score was not an accurate reflection of how close the game was. For the first time, the Chanticleers were facing a deficit going into halftime, 17-9. The Chanticleer offense struggled in the first half, scoring only one touchdown on their first play from scrimmage on a 75 yard pass from Grayson McCall to Isaiah Likely.

The second half was not the same story at all; the Chanticleers scored four touchdowns, including a Grayson McCall 62 yard run, a 19 yard pass from McCall to Marable, a Reese White three yard run and a defensive touchdown on an interception returned for a touchdown by D’Jordan Strong.

The “black swarm” defense had a hard time defending opposing running back Camerun Peoples in the first half, but ended up being a big part of the Chanticleer win. The defense recorded three sacks and seven tackles for loss. The defense also got three interceptions, two of them by Strong, and one of which resulted in a touchdown.

With one of their best opponents behind them, the Chanticleers look to carry the momentum from this win into their remaining three games in order to keep a perfect record. The Chants return home on Dec. 5, to face Liberty, who many would classify as their toughest opponent this season. The season will end with a makeup game on Dec. 12, against Troy, unless the Chants are selected for a bowl game, which is likely if they remain undefeated.