CONWAY, S.C. - Coastal Carolina's football team got on the board early and often, cruising to a 52-14 win over visiting Savannah State, Nov. 6. With the Homecoming win, CCU moves to 8-1 on the season while the Tigers drop to 2-6. Coastal also is now 5-0 at Brooks Stadium in 2004.
After Savannah State's opening drive was three-and-out, Coastal took possession on its own 30-yard line and on the second play from scrimmage, running back Patrick Hall dashed through a gaping hole on the right side and went a school-record tying 70 yards to put the Chanticleers up 7-0 less than three minutes into the game.
On CCU's next possession, the Chants put together a sustained drive, going 75 yards in seven plays. Fullback Ben Hampton capped it off with a two-yard plunge and Coastal had a 14-0 lead with 6:44 to go in the first quarter.
Savannah State answered on their following drive, as the Tigers marched 80 yards in 13 plays over 5:22. Quarterback Clyde Tullis connected with wide receiver Trevis Stricklen on fourth down for a 16-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 14-6 with 1:20 to go in the first.
Coastal came right back with a scoring drive of their own. The Chants pounded down the field 73 yards in five plays over just 1:23. Quarterback Ren McKinnon connected with wide receiver Jerome Simpson on a fade route to the corner of the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown and a 21-6 Chanticleer lead early in the second quarter.
The Chants scored on their third-straight possession, going nine plays and 65 yards, as backup quarterback Scott Crouch pitched to Hall for a six-yard touchdown. Kicker Josh Hoke's fourth extra point made it 28-6 CCU with 8:40 to go in the first half. Crouch later connected with Simpson on a 51-yard screen pass that built the lead to 35-6 with just over five minutes to go in the first half, a score that remained at halftime.
CCU continued their offensive attack on the opening possession of the second half, as McKinnon scampered in from29 yards to wrap up a five-play, 52-yard drive and push the advantage to 42-6.
Coastal added to its lead, as Hoke hit from 31 yards out with 14:13 to go in the game to make it 45-6 Coastal. SSU cut into the margin with a five-yard touchdown pass from Tullis to Deon Whiteside and the two-point conversion made it 45-14 with 4:55 left. The Chanticleers wrapped up the scoring as reserve fullback Josh Bauer dove in from one yard out with 1:26 to play to make the final score 52-14.
Coastal racked up the yardage offensively, posting 277 yards of rushing and 417 yards of total offense. Hall led CCU with 17 carries for 171 yards and two touchdowns, while McKinnon and Crouch combined to go 6-for-7 for 140 yards and two touchdowns through the air. The Chants also forced a school record five interceptions, along with recovering a fumble, in the victory.
Savannah State amassed 396 yards of offense, led by MyShun McAlpine with 127 yards on 24 carries, while Tullis was 15-for-35 for182 yards and two touchdowns, but had four interceptions.
The Chanticleers are next in action, Sat., Nov. 13, hosting Jacksonville at Brooks Stadium at 12:30 p.m.
