In a thrilling Sun Belt East clash, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers stormed to an early 17-0 lead and held off their fierce rivals, the Appalachian State Mountaineers, to secure a decisive 38-24 victory on Thursday night. This win marked the third consecutive triumph for Coastal over Appalachian State and snapped the Chanticleers’ longest losing streak in five seasons.
Dominant Ground Game and Career Night for Bennett
A relentless ground attack was at the heart of Coastal’s victory, with the team amassing 203 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Leading the charge was Braydon Bennett, who recorded a career-high three touchdowns on nine carries, amassing 88 yards. Bennett’s standout performance pushed his career total to 23 rushing touchdowns, tying him for fifth place on Coastal’s all-time list with former teammate Reese White.
Quarterback Ethan Vasko also contributed to Coastal’s offensive showcase. Vasko not only completed 14 of his 18 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown, but he also ran for 53 yards and another score, showcasing his dual-threat abilities. Vasko’s passing touchdown came in the final minutes, a six-yard strike to Jameson Tucker that sealed the victory.
Defensive Standouts and Crucial Turnovers
The Chanticleers’ defense proved to be a formidable force, creating three turnovers that were converted into 17 points, proving crucial in maintaining Coastal’s lead. Linebacker Clev Lubin led the defensive effort with a career night, tallying nine tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks. Lubin’s early strip sack of Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar set the tone, with teammate Naejaun Barber recovering the ball and setting up Coastal for a second touchdown drive.
Following Lubin’s forced fumble, Coastal’s defense continued its dominance, with Courtney Eubanks intercepting a pass and setting up a 29-yard field goal by Kade Hensley, extending Coastal’s early lead to 17-0. Appalachian State managed to narrow the gap to 17-10 by halftime, but the Chanticleers' defense stayed resilient, stopping the Mountaineers from ever fully closing the deficit.
Third-Quarter Drive of the Season
The Chanticleers opened the second half with a statement drive, marching 87 yards in 17 plays and consuming an impressive 8:42 of clock time. Bennett capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown, his third of the night, putting Coastal up 24-10. Shortly after, AJ Williams intercepted Aguilar, returning the ball to Appalachian’s one-yard line. Vasko’s one-yard keeper stretched the lead to 31-10, putting the game seemingly out of reach.
Late Effort by Appalachian State Falls Short
Appalachian State showed resilience, clawing back to cut the lead to 31-17 in the fourth quarter. But Coastal responded with a final touchdown, a six-yard pass from Vasko to Tucker, making it 38-17 with just over two minutes left. Though Appalachian State managed another late touchdown, Coastal’s onside kick recovery ensured their victory.
Ahmani Marshall led the Mountaineers with 124 yards on 28 carries, scoring twice, while Aguilar threw for 226 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Despite Appalachian State’s offensive efforts, Coastal’s defense and timely turnovers proved too much to overcome.
Looking Ahead
With this win, Coastal Carolina improves to 5-4 on the season and 2-3 in Sun Belt play, while Appalachian State falls to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in conference. The Chanticleers now look forward to their next matchup on Nov. 16, when they travel to face Marshall.
Coastal’s balanced performance, driven by a potent running game and a stifling defense, underscores their readiness to finish the season strong. The Chanticleers’ latest victory not only highlights their dominance over Appalachian State but also reaffirms their resilience as they continue to fight in the Sun Belt conference.
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