In a commanding performance under the Thursday night lights, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers kicked off their 2024 season with a 55-27 victory over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. The game, played on national television at Jacksonville State, showcased Coastal Carolina’s dominant defense and balanced offensive attack, setting a strong tone for the season ahead.
Coastal Carolina's defense was relentless throughout the night, controlling the game from the outset. The Chanticleers' defense, featuring 14 new faces on the defensive line, consistently disrupted Jacksonville State’s offensive rhythm, forcing three sacks, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
Jacksonville State, coached by the experienced Rich Rodriguez, struggled to find any offensive consistency. Rodriguez used both Taylor Huff and Logan Smothers at quarterback, but neither could establish any momentum against Coastal Carolina's aggressive defense. Huff completed 7 of 14 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown, while Smothers, who started the game, was held to just 61 yards on 7 of 13 passing. Both quarterbacks appeared rattled under the constant pressure, a testament to the dominance of Coastal Carolina’s defensive front.
The Chanticleers' defense was highlighted by standout performances from linebacker Shane Bruce, who led the team with eight tackles, and sophomore linebacker Ibrahim Diawara, who tallied 1.5 sacks. Coastal’s aggressive play paid off in the second quarter when linebacker Clev Lubin recovered a fumble and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown, extending the Chanticleers’ lead to 10-3.
Coastal Carolina’s offense was equally impressive, combining a powerful running game with timely passing to keep the Gamecocks' defense on its heels. The Chanticleers set the tone early with a nine-play, 50-yard opening drive, capped by a 25-yard field goal from Kade Hensley. The drive featured a 24-yard run by Ja’Vin Simpkins, a sign of things to come for Coastal Carolina's ground attack.
The running back committee of Braydon Bennett, Christian Washington, Darren Lloyd, and quarterback Ethan Vasko combined for an impressive 294 rushing yards on 57 attempts. The sustained success on the ground allowed Coastal Carolina to control the clock and dictate the pace of the game.
Heading into the season, there were questions about who would step up in the wide receiver room following the departures of Jared Brown and Sam Pinckney. Those questions were quickly answered as Tray Taylor emerged as a star, catching three passes for 98 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown pass from Vasko. Taylor’s explosiveness was evident throughout the game, making him the most exciting player on the field.
The wide receiver unit, led by Jameson Tucker, also saw strong contributions from Cameron Wright and Malick Meiga. Tucker added two receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown, while Meiga found the end zone as well, showcasing the depth and versatility of Coastal Carolina’s passing attack.
Leading up to the game, Coastal Carolina head coach Tim Beck kept fans and analysts guessing about who would start at quarterback—Ethan Vasko or Noah Kim, a transfer from Michigan State. On game day, it was Vasko who took the helm, and he delivered a solid performance, completing 12 of 19 passes for 249 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Vasko’s ability to manage the game and make big plays when needed was key to Coastal Carolina’s offensive success.
While the final score of 55-27 might suggest a closer contest, the game was never truly in doubt. Jacksonville State managed to score two late touchdowns—a 92-yard touchdown reception by Michael Pettway and a 38-yard touchdown run by Tre Stewart in the fourth quarter—but by that point, the Chanticleers had already secured the victory.
Coastal Carolina’s dominant season opener sends a clear message: the Chanticleers are ready to compete at a high level in 2024, despite the new faces on both sides of the ball. With a stout defense and a balanced, explosive offense, Coastal Carolina looks poised for another successful campaign. As they prepare for their next challenge, the Chanticleers can build on this impressive performance, confident in their ability to contend with the best in the Sun Belt Conference.
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