Troy, AL – Despite a spirited effort to rebound from a series of tough losses, Coastal Carolina couldn’t overcome an early deficit in their 38-24 loss to Troy on Saturday. The Chanticleers entered the game with high hopes, having regrouped over a bye week, but ultimately fell short against a determined Troy team. With this defeat, Coastal Carolina’s record drops to 4-4, casting uncertainty over their postseason aspirations.
Troy, bolstered by Matthew Caldwell's three touchdowns and Damien Taylor’s 190-yard rushing performance, snapped a four-game losing streak and claimed their first win since September. The Trojans controlled the game from the start, with Caldwell’s 1-yard touchdown run just before halftime pushing the lead to a commanding 28-7. While Coastal Carolina’s offense showed flashes of life, they struggled to keep pace in the second half.
Coastal Carolina’s quarterback, Ethan Vasko, returned to the starting lineup after a rocky season and played admirably, finishing with 206 passing yards and a touchdown. However, the Chanticleers faced challenges moving the ball early, and Troy capitalized on Coastal's struggles. Running back Braydon Bennett added 69 rushing yards and a touchdown, but the Chants found themselves in a deep hole by halftime.
Early on, the Chanticleers had a golden opportunity after Avyonne Jones blocked a Troy punt, giving Coastal the ball at the Troy 11-yard line. Vasko quickly turned that into points, scrambling for a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 in the first quarter. But Troy responded swiftly with a long drive that culminated in a Caldwell touchdown pass, putting the Trojans back in control.
After going into halftime down 28-7, Coastal Carolina came out strong in the third quarter, grinding out a 12-play, 73-yard drive. Yet, their progress stalled at the 11-yard line, forcing them to settle for a 29-yard field goal from Kade Hensley. Although this narrowed the deficit to 28-10, it became clear that the Chanticleers needed more than field goals to mount a comeback.
Coastal’s defense struggled to contain Troy’s running game, with Gerald Green rushing for 123 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Each time Coastal seemed poised to rally, Troy managed to keep their distance, maintaining a comfortable lead throughout the second half.
With this loss, Coastal Carolina has now dropped three consecutive games, and postseason hopes are beginning to slip away. Head Coach Tim Beck expressed frustration following the game, noting the early mistakes that cost his team the chance to recover.
“I hate losing, and I’m trying to figure out how to help our guys to have success,” Beck said. “We dug ourselves a hole early that we just couldn’t climb out of.”
The loss leaves Coastal Carolina at 4-4 on the season and in danger of missing a bowl game for the first time since joining the FBS in 2019. As the team faces the season’s final stretch, they’ll need to find answers quickly to salvage a year that began with higher expectations.
With only a handful of games left in the season, Coastal Carolina will have to regroup and find a way to break their slump. While Vasko’s return to form is a positive sign, the team will need more consistent production from both sides of the ball if they hope to turn their season around. Each game from here on out is crucial if the Chanticleers aim to keep their postseason streak alive.
For Coastal Carolina fans, it was a frustrating afternoon as their team showed glimpses of improvement but ultimately couldn’t overcome the deficits. While the season’s outcome remains uncertain, it’s clear that Coach Beck and his team face a challenging road ahead if they want to reclaim the momentum that has been the hallmark of Chanticleers football in recent years.
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