Sept. 4, 2010
Final Stats (PDF) 
Final Stats
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Coastal Carolina battled the 24th-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers and its Heisman Trophy candidate Noel Devine, but ultimately fell 31-0 in the teams' 2010 season opener at Mila Puskar Stadium.
Coastal only trailed 10-0 at the half, having a golden scoring opportunity go by the wayside after an interception late in the second quarter. Also, Devine, who finished with 111 rushing yards, had just 56 yards on 20 attempts for an average of 2.8 per carry through three quarters.
West Virginia went on top 7-0, scoring on a 16-play drive off the opening kickoff. The Chanticleer defense got tough inside its own 20, but, on fourth and goal, Geno Smith hit J.D. Woods on a four-yard touchdown.
The Chants had nice opening drive, getting two first downs, but would have to punt after an near completion to Marquel Willis to keep the drive alive.
The teams traded punts until midway through the second quarter when the Mountaineers' Tyler Bitancurt converted a 21-yard field goal for a 10-0 WVU lead. The field goal was setup by a 30-yard Smith to Tavon Austin pass.
Coastal threatened as the second quarter drew to a close. Senior safety Dominique Davenport picked off a pass and returned it 37 yards to the 21. Coastal tried to strike quick but Brandon Hogan intercepted a Zach MacDowall pass in the back of the endzone.
The second half began with Coastal fumbling the opening kickoff, giving WVU the ball on the 19. The Chants appeared to get the ball back on a fumble, but Devine's progress was rules stopped before the fumble. Two plays later, Smith found Jock Sanders in the endzone for a 17-yard TD and a 17-0 lead.
The Chants battled back and drive to the WVU 30, but Justin Durham's 47-yard field goal sailed left. On the ensuing drive, Dexter Holman forced a Devine fumble, which was recovered by Kent Harper on the WVU 35. Coastal was forced to go for it on fourth and five from the 30 and converted with a MacDowall completion to Duran. However, the Chants would have to settle for a 42-yard field goal which was unsuccessful.
West Virgina extended its lead to 24-0 with 1:44 left in the third. Ryan Clarke capped a nine-play, 75-yard drive with a one-yard plunge into the endzone. The big play of the drive was a 33-yard Smith to Austin completion.
As the fourth quarter opened, Devine finally got on track (). However, on the first three plays of the fourth, he reeled off runs of 12, 39 and a four-yard score putting the Mountaineers up 31-0 and giving him 111 yards on the day.
Coastal was led on defense by Andrae Jacobs' 11 tackles, while Desmond Steward added eight. MacDowall finished with 119 passing yards, completing 13-of-26 with one interception.
Coastal Carolina will remain on the road to open the season, traveling ro the Baltimore area to face Towson next Saturday (Sept. 11) at 7 pm.
