Conway, S.C. - A strong running game and big play defense were the key to Coastal Carolina's 33-6 victory over Big South Conference rival Liberty Saturday evening at Brooks Stadium. With the win, Coastal moves to a league-best 6-1 and 2-0 in Big South play, while the Flames fall to 2-5 and 1-1.
After a scoreless first quarter, Coastal's sophomore running back Aundres Perkins opened the scoring with a two-yard touchdown run less than two minutes into the second quarter, capping off a 14-play, 62-yard drive. The extra point was missed to the right, leaving the Chanticleers with a 6-0 lead.
Junior Patrick Hall followed it up on Coastal's next drive with the first of his two touchdowns on a 13-yard gallop. The drive was the second of four CCU scoring drives of 60 yards or more, this time a nine-play, 75-yard drive. When the two-point attempt failed, Coastal led12-0 with 7:35, a score that held until intermission.
On Coastal's opening drive of the second half, freshman fullback Mike Tolbert added to the lead, scoring one yard out with sophomore Josh Hoke's extra point making it 19-0 Coastal with just less than five minutes into the third quarter.
Hall scored his second touchdown of the evening on a nine-yard run early in the fourth quarter, with the conversion pushing the lead to 26-0. CCU junior running back Carl Robinson scored his first touchdown as a Chanticleer with six-yard run to put the Chanticleers up 33-0 with 7:51 to play.
Liberty would get on the scoreboard on the ensuing kickoff, as senior Sam Gado took it a Liberty-record 97 yards for a touchdown to put Liberty on the board at 33-6.
Coastal's defense was outstanding as it registered three sacks and three interceptions while limiting the potent Liberty offense to 143 yards in total offense and only seven first downs. Leading the Chanticleer's defensive effort was junior linebacker Maurice Simpkins who had 10 tackles, including a sack, while junior defensive back Greg Williamson recorded two interceptions and two pass break-ups. Junior Brandon Carr registered the other pick for CCU in the victory.
Coastal offensive rolled up 326 yards on the ground and controlled the clock by the wide margin of 38:12-21:48. Tolbert had his first collegiate 100-yard rushing game, going for 107 yards on 10 carries, including a season-best 52 yard dash, and one touchdown. Hall finished the game with 96 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns, while Perkins ran 11 times for 53 yards and a touchdown on the evening.
Liberty was led by running back Dre Barnes who had 44 yards on 10 carries, while quarterbacks Brock Farrel and Travis Johnson combined for 12-for-22 passing for 81 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. Nick Vaughn led three Liberty players in double-figure tackles with 14, while C.J. Moore and Rayshawd Barkley had 13 each.
The Chants will have another key conference matchup, Sat., Oct. 30, as they travel to Boiling Springs, N.C. to take on the preseason conference favorite Gardner-Webb for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff. Up next for Liberty is a trip back home to battle against Charleston Southern, Oct. 30, at 1:30 p.m.
