As we roll into the heart of the college football season, Coastal Carolina, with a record of 5-3, is gearing up for an exciting Week 9 matchup against Old Dominion, who holds a 4-4 record. Last week, the Monarchs faced off against the undefeated powerhouse, James Madison, and although they suffered a narrow 3-point loss, they put up an admirable fight.
Old Dominion's quarterback, Grant Wilson, showcased his skills with 277 passing yards and two touchdowns against the formidable James Madison defense. The Monarchs' offensive unit averages 24 points per game, while their ground game, led by Kadarius Calloway, has been a force to reckon with. Calloway has already rushed for an impressive 523 yards and four touchdowns this season, boasting a remarkable 9.0-yard average per carry. The clash between Old Dominion's offensive line and Coastal Carolina's defensive front promises to be a key battleground in this upcoming contest.
On the defensive end, Old Dominion has encountered some challenges, conceding over 382 yards per game. This sets the stage for Coastal Carolina, who is coming off a dominant 34-6 victory over Marshall. Coastal Carolina's redshirt senior quarterback, Jarrett Guest, took the reins in the absence of star quarterback Grayson McCall, who has been dealing with a head injury since week 7. Guest delivered a stellar performance, completing 14 of 20 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns while adding 36 rushing yards. Coastal Carolina's offense has been averaging 30 points per game and relies on a balanced attack with 153 rushing yards per game. Braydon Bennett leads the team in rushing with 344 yards and four touchdowns, but Coastal Carolina's depth in running backs, including Reese White, CJ Beasley, and Max Balthazar, gives them numerous options to exploit.
A major focus in this contest will be on the battle between Old Dominion's secondary and Coastal Carolina's talented receiving corps. In Week 8, Old Dominion struggled to contain James Madison's receivers, allowing Reggie Brown and Elijah Sarratt to each accumulate over 100 receiving yards and three touchdowns. James Madison's Jordan McCloud threw for 340 yards, exposing vulnerabilities in the Monarchs' defensive backfield. Coastal Carolina boasts dynamic receivers like Jared Brown and Sam Pinckney, which could spell trouble for Old Dominion's secondary.
Coastal Carolina's defense has been formidable, forcing five turnovers in their recent clash with Marshall, in addition to registering three sacks. On the other hand, Old Dominion's defensive line has demonstrated its ability to apply pressure with four sacks against James Madison, along with two crucial interceptions.
Adding to the intrigue, Old Dominion will enjoy the home-field advantage in this matchup. In their previous meeting, Old Dominion dominated Coastal Carolina with a convincing 49-21 victory in Coastal Carolina's home stadium, marking their second consecutive win against the Chanticleers.
As the two teams prepare to face off in what promises to be an electrifying showdown, the question on everyone's minds is whether Coastal Carolina can avenge last year's defeat and extend their three-game winning streak, or if Old Dominion will continue their winning ways and make a statement at home. With both teams hungry for victory, football fans are in for a treat when Coastal Carolina squares off against Old Dominion in Week 9.
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