In a game that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers squared off against the Georgia Southern Eagles on Saturday night. The matchup unfolded in front of a record crowd of 26,483 fans at Allen E. Paulson Stadium, creating an electric atmosphere for Sun Belt Conference action. However, the Chanticleers came up just short, falling to the Eagles with a final score of 38-28.
The contest began with Coastal Carolina taking an early lead as their talented quarterback, Grayson McCall, orchestrated a touchdown drive to go up 7-0. The Eagles, however, were quick to respond. Davis Brin, Georgia Southern's signal-caller, connected with Derwin Burgess Jr. for a 2-yard touchdown pass, knotting the score at 7-7 early in the second quarter.
The Chanticleers managed to regain their lead, going up 14-7 with 7:28 left in the first half. But Georgia Southern was not to be outdone. Brin engineered a spectacular play, threading the needle to Anthony Queeley for a 16-yard touchdown reception, which incredibly bounced off a Coastal defender before Queeley secured it. This brought the score to an even 14-14 with just under four minutes remaining in the half.
The Eagles seized their first lead of the game just before halftime. A crucial interception by Cam Williams placed Georgia Southern within striking distance on the Coastal 24-yard line. With only 39 seconds left on the clock, Brin connected with Khaleb Hood for a 12-yard touchdown pass, putting the Eagles ahead 21-14 as they headed into the locker room.
After the halftime break, Coastal Carolina wasted no time getting back into the game. McCall orchestrated a quick drive, culminating in a 13-yard touchdown pass to Sam Pinckney, leveling the score at 21-21. However, Georgia Southern answered back promptly, as Michael Lantz nailed a 45-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 24-21 lead.
But the turning point of the game occurred when the Eagle defense stepped up big time. Khadry Jackson intercepted a Coastal Carolina pass and took it all the way to the house for a pick-six, extending Georgia Southern's lead to 31-21. Although Coastal Carolina managed to trim the lead with another touchdown, it wasn't enough to halt the Eagles' momentum.
The game's outcome was sealed when Marques Watson-Trent secured his own interception, marking the fourth interception of the day by the Eagle defense. This interception, coming at a critical juncture, prevented Coastal Carolina from mounting a comeback.
In a game that saw five different Eagles contribute touchdowns and Khaleb Hood setting a school record with 12 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown, the Georgia Southern football team showcased their depth and determination. Burgess Jr., Dalen Cobb, and Anthony Queeley also made substantial contributions with over 50 receiving yards each, while Jalen White powered the ground game with 77 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
Defensively, the Eagles were led by Marques Watson-Trent, who notched 14 total tackles along with a quarterback hurry and an interception. TJ Smith also had an impactful performance with eight total tackles, including six solo tackles. Watson-Trent, Jackson, Damel Hickman, and Cam Williams each recorded interceptions, making life difficult for Coastal Carolina's offense throughout the game.
Despite the loss, Coastal Carolina's fans showed their support by packing the stadium with a record-breaking attendance of 26,384. While it was a heartbreaking defeat for the Chanticleers, it was undoubtedly an unforgettable night of football for everyone in attendance, regardless of their allegiance.
Comments