CONWAY, S.C. — Coastal Carolina battled early and showed flashes of the offensive balance that carried it through the season, but a late surge from visiting James Madison proved decisive in a 59–10 setback Saturday at Brooks Stadium. The Chanticleers close the regular season at 6–6 overall, 5–3 in Sun Belt Conference play, and will await their bowl destination on Sunday, Dec. 7.
 
After falling behind 17–0 in the opening quarter, Coastal settled in and responded with its most composed stretch of the game. Kian Afrookhteh drilled a 34-yard field goal to put the Chants on the board, then quarterback Tad Hudson led a confident five-play, 60-yard march capped by a 12-yard touchdown strike to Bryson Graves, trimming the deficit to 20–10 with 2:59 left in the half. 
 
Coastal's defense delivered its own momentum-turning moment minutes earlier, when Myles Woods jumped a crossing route for an interception near midfield, energizing the home crowd.  The stop — one of the Dukes' few mistakes in the first half — helped keep the Chanticleers within reach heading into halftime.
 
James Madison (11–1, 8–0 Sun Belt) ultimately leaned on its depth and tempo after the break. Quarterback Alonza Barnett III accounted for four total touchdowns, including a 39-yard strike to Braeden Wisloski and scoring throws to Lacota Dippre, Isaiah Alston, and Michael Scott. A 73-yard burst from Jobi Malary midway through the fourth quarter helped the Dukes pull away late. 
 
Hudson finished 16-for-38 for 148 yards, spreading completions to eight different targets. Graves caught three passes for 21 yards and the second-quarter touchdown, while Karmello English and Dominic Knicely each provided timely gains to keep drives alive.  
 
Defensively, the Chanticleers were at their best in stretches, with Dontae Lunan (8 tackles), Ja'Marion Wayne (7) and Myles Woods (6) leading the way. The front generated four stops at or behind the line, highlighted by Jayden Bryant's sack late in the second quarter to stall a Dukes drive.