CLINTON, S.C. -- The Coastal Carolina University football team scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter and made them stand for a 21-13 victory at Presbyterian, Nov. 15. With their second consecutive win, the Chanticleers advanced to 6-5, while the Blue Hose fell to 4-7 on the season.
After a scoreless first quarter, Presbyterian got on the scoreboard first after getting a short field with the ball on the Coastal Carolina 44. It took the Blue Hose eight plays and just over two minutes but running back Chetyuane Reeder scored on a 15-yard run. PC up 7-0 in the opening seconds of the second quarter.
The Chanticleers answered on their next possession, taking advantage of a PC penalty on the touchdown and getting the ball on the Chants' 48. After converting a 4th-and-2 with a 6-yard scramble of his own, quarterback Zach MacDowall went around the left end and scampered 38 yards into the end zone for the touchdown. Kicker James Pallassino hit the extra point and the score was tied with 12:46 remaining in the first half.
After halting the Blue Hose on a 4th-and 9 at the Coastal Carolina 22, the Chanticleers marched the ball down field in 10 plays over 3:59, primarily utilizing the run. However, the drive ended with MacDowall finding wide receiver Keith Graham in the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown to give Coastal Carolina its first lead of the game, with the PAT making it 14-7 with 5:46 to go in the second quarter.
Coastal Carolina got the ball back quickly, as linebacker D.J. Rice picked off a short pass at the Blue Hose 38 and returned it to the Presbyterian 18-yard line. On the second play of the drive, fullback Racheed Gause took it in from 12 yards out, including plowing over a pair of PC defenders near the goal line. Pallassino connected on the point after and the Chants had a 21-7 lead with 2:40 remaining in the second. That ended up being the halftime margin.
Another miscue sparked the next touchdown, as Pallassino's 41-yard field goal attempt was blocked, giving the Blue Hose the ball on the Chanticleer 25. On the third play, quarterback Brandon Miley utilized a Coastal Carolina false start and continued the play, connecting on a 67-yard catch-and-run to Reeder to trim the Chant lead to 21-13 with 5:41 to play in the third. However, the second blocked kick of the game occurred on the point after attempt, as Coastal Carolina burst through to keep the points off the board and keep its eight-point lead.
The teams exchanged several possessions in the fourth quarter, with the Blue Hose having the ball with a late opportunity at their own 30 with 1:02 to play. However on the second play of the drive, Miley headed back to pass and scrambled, but was stripped but defensive lineman Ronnie Mason and Rice recovered the fumble to seal the victory for the Chants.
Coastal Carolina outgained PC, 374-328, including 246 yards of rushing by the Chanticleers. Turnovers were also a big part of the game, as the Chants forced three Blue Hose turnovers while giving up none. Of those three, one ended a PC threat deep in Chanticleer territory, the second set up the third Chant touchdown and the final one by Rice. The Chanticleers also posted five sacks in the contest while giving up just three.
Running back Jamie Fordham led the ground game with 91 yards on 19 carries, while Arthur Sitton had 69 yards on just eight carries to help the Chants' cause. MacDowall was 14-for-22 through the air for 128 yards and a score. Seven different Coastal Carolina receivers had receptions, with Marquel Willis and Jon Greene each with three receptions.
PC, playing without running back S.J. Worrell due to a violation of team rules, was led on the ground by Mario Carter with 15 rushes for 63 yards, while Miley was 23-for-44 for 283 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Brandon Clark had five catches for 72 yards.
The Chanticleers return home to wrap up the 2008 season, hosting in-state rival Charleston Southern for the Big South Conference action. Kickoff at Brooks Stadium is set for 6 p.m.
