TOWSON, Md. -- The Coastal Carolina University football squad struggled again with special teams and consistency, losing at Towson, 21-17, Sept. 19. With the loss, the Chanticleers fell to 1-2 on the year while the Tigers evened their record to 1-1.
On its first possession, the Chanticleers looked to score first on an 83-yard draw play by quarterback Jamie Childers but that was called back on a holding penalty. However, a miscue on special teams at the end of the drive led to the opening score of the game. A bad handled snap led to a 12-yard punt by Ben Erdman that gave Towson the ball on the Coastal Carolina 23-yard line. The Chanticleer defense held tough but on the eighth play, Tommy Chroniger connected with John Godlasky on a third-down pass for a 4-yard touchdown. Jon Boyer's extra point was good, giving Towson a 7-0 lead with 5:10 to play in the first quarter.
The Tigers extended their lead with a 12-play, 83-yard drive over 6:51 on the clock.The drive was capped off by another 4-yard touchdown toss, this time Peter Athens to David Newsom. The point after was good and the Tigers had a 14-0 lead with 11:02 remaining in the first half.
Coastal Carolina had an immediate answer on their next drive, taking advantage of Tre Henderson's kickoff return to the Chants' 43 and a penalty moved the drive start out to the 48. Six plays later, the Chants got on the board with a 12-yard strike from quaterback Jamie Childers to tight end David Duran for the score. Justin Durham hit the extra point to cap off the 52-yard drive and cut the margin to 14-7 with 7:58 to go in the second quarter. That would be the halftime margin in the contest.
The Chants trimmed the margin again with a long drive in the third quarter. The Chanticleers moved the ball 82 yards on 11 plays, but the drive stalled out at the Towson 3. Durham came on and hit from 20 yards out to make it 14-10 Towson with 1:36 remaining in the third.
The Tigers got the back ball with a short field after a fair catch at the Chanticleers' 47. It took Towson just six plays to put points on the board, as Athens connected with Newsom again, this time from 13 yards, for the touchdown. The point after was good and the host had a 21-10 lead with 11:49 to play in the contest.
Coastal Carolina spread the field and picked up the tempo on the ensuing possession and it paid off. the Chants marched quickly down the field, going five plays and 64 yards in just 1:14, capped off by quarterback Zach MacDowall hitting wide receiver Brandon Whitley in the back of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown, Whitley's first of the year. Durham's PAT again cut the lead to just four at 21-17 with 10:29 to go.
The Chants had a drive going down the field and had the ball in Towson territory but an interception by Gardner snuffed out the drive and gave the Tigers the ball on Coastal's 27. Coastal had one last push in the closing minutes, getting the ball to the Towson 12. On fourth down, MacDowall scrambled and got the ball off but it bounded away from Akeem Wesley in the end zone and the Tigers held on for the win.
Coastal Carolina outgained Towson 389-315, including 295 yards through the air on a combined 20-of-34, two touchdowns and two interceptions by Childers and MacDowall. The Chants only had 94 yards on 28 carries while committing two turnovers to Towson's three. Duran again led all receivers with six catches for 88 yards and one score, while Whitley had four receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown. Towson's Tremayne Dameron led all rushers with 21 carries for 84 yards, while the duo of Athens and Chroniger combined for 17-of-25 for 177 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. One key was penalties as the Chants were flagged eight times for 78 yards, including one wiping out a touchdown and another setting up a Towson score.
The Chanticleers will return home next Saturday, Sept. 26 to take on North Carolina A&T on Family Weekend. Kickoff at Brooks Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m.
