ELON, N.C. - Coastal Carolina opened the 2005 football season with a tough fought 17-10 victory at Southern Conference foe Elon, Sat., Sept. 3. Coastal has now won each of its three season openers, while the Phoenix dropped their season opener.
Elon got on the scoreboard first with 3:46 to go in the first half, as sophomore quarterback Kye Hamilton connected with tight end Kyle Belkoski for a three-yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 Phoenix lead. The drive was spurred by a Hamilton 40-yard pass to wide receiver Michael Mayers that put the Phoenix at the Chants' 10-yard line, with the score coming three plays later.
Coastal fought back on the next drive, as junior Aundres Perkins plunged in from one yard to tie the game at seven with 13:56 to go in the first half. The Chanticleers drove 70 yards in 11 plays over 4:44, with the big play a 26-yard pass completion from quarterback Tyler Thigpen to wide receiver Chris Noble to put CCU at the Elon 14. Earlier on, Thigpen had connected with tight end Nathan Farley for 13 yards on a third-and-8 play to keep the drive alive.
CCU took its first lead of the season on a 30-yard field goal by junior Josh Hoke, putting the Chanticleers up 10-7 with 2:12 to play in the first half. The field goal capped a 13-play, 83-yard drive over 7:05 that started on the Coastal five-yard line.
After a scoreless third quarter, Elon started the fourth with a 33-yard field goal by Andrew Wilcox to knot the game at 10 with 14:55 to play. Elon had gone 44 yards in eight plays in 4:19, helped by two CCU penalties, including a 15-yard pass interference call on a fourth-and-one play earlier in the drive.
Later in the fourth quarter, Coastal linebacker Maurice Simpkins forced a Hamilton fumble at the Elon 33, which was scooped up by linebacker Jamar Leath and returned to the 12-yard line. Four plays later, CCU took the lead, as Perkins dove in from two yards out for his second score to put the Chanticleers up 17-10 with 8:38 to play.
The Phoenix came back immediately, as Jacobi Jones returned the ensuing kickoff 78 yards to the Coastal 15-yard line. Elon appeared to even the game on a 15-yard run by Reggie Hall that was called back on an illegal motion penalty. Three plays later, the Phoenix tried a 42-yard field goal that went wide right, and the Chanticleers maintained their seven-point lead, eventually holding on for the victory.
CCU outgained Elon in total offense, 262 to 233. Coastal was led by running back Patrick Hall, who rushed for 71 yards on 22 carries, while Thigpen was 12-for-22 for 132 yards. Elon was paced by Hall, who rushed for 74 yards on 20 carries, with Hamilton going 15-for-26 for 130 yards and one touchdown.
Coastal returns to Conway for its home opener, Sat., Sept. 10, as the Chanticleers welcome defending national champion and top-ranked James Madison to Brooks Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
