Game is set for Saturday, Nov. 13, at 1 pm on ESPN3
Nov. 10, 2010
Coastal Carolina hosts #11/12 Liberty
Saturday - Nov. 13 - 1 pm
Brooks Stadium
ESPN3
Coastal Carolina FB Notes (vs #11 Liberty) in PDF Format 
Series Information
This is the eighth meeting between Coastal Carolina and Liberty with the Flames being one of four teams CCU has played in each of its first seven years (joining Gardner-Webb, VMI and Charleston Southern). Liberty owns a 4-3 advantage in the series, but Coastal is 2-1 versus Liberty in Brooks Stadium. In each of the last six years, the winner of the CCU-LU game was finished as Big South champion, although many of the previous meetings were not decided when the teams met.
Home Sweet Home
After playing six of its first nine games on the road to start the 2010 football season, Coastal Carolina will be at Brooks Stadium for just the fourth time this season hosting Liberty. Luckily, the Chants will remain at home next weekend to close the regular season, hosting Charleston Southern at 1 pm for Senior Day.
The Chanticleers play in Brooks Stadium with Benton Field being natural grass. For its history, Coastal has played 71 of its 88 games on natural grass. The Chanticleers are 50-21 (.704) on natural grass overall -- 31-12 (.721) at home and 19-9 (6.79) on the road. Coastal is 4-2 on natural grass this season.
When playing on artificial surfaces, Coastal is just 4-13 in its eighth year.
Chants Induct Six into Sasser Athletics Hall of Fame
Six Chanticleer greats - Medina Bajrambasic Walsh, Adam Keim, Terah Kipchiris, Jeanne Lambert, Justin Owens and Rafael Vera - will be inducted into the Coastal Carolina Sasser Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2010. The official induction ceremony will be Nov. 12 (Friday) and the group will be honored at halftime of the CCU-Liberty game.
Bajrambasic (Women's Tennis 2000-04) was the 2004 Big South Player of the Year, the 2001 Big South Rookie of the Year and a four-time All-Big South Conference selection in both singles and doubles.
Keim (Baseball 200-02) was the 2002 Big South Tournament MVP and a two-time All-Big South selection (2001 and `02). Currently in the Coastal Carolina record books, his 149 career RBI ranks eighth, his 27 career home runs rank 10th (tied), his 44 career doubles rank 10th (tied) and his 210 career hits rank 18th (tied). He helped the program under Gary Gilmore to its first two NCAA berths (2001 and `02) and went on to become a 12th-round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals.
Kipchiris (Men's Cross Country/Track 2002-05) was the 2002 and `03 Big South Cross Country Champion, earning all-conference honors three times (2002, `03 and `04). During the outdoor track season, Kipchiris won the Big South steeplechase in 2004 and `05 as well as setting the league record in the event with a time of 8:48.42. He additionally was Big South Champion in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters in 2004.
Lambert (Volleyball 1999-2002) becomes the first Coastal Carolina volleyball player to be inducted into the school's athletics Hall of Fame. Lambert defined the term student-athlete during her time at Coastal Carolina. She was a two-time first team All-Big South pick (2000 and `02) and two-time Big South Volleyballl Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2000 and `02). In addition, Lambert was the 2000 Big South Conference Overall Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, as well as earning first team Academic All-America honors. She still owns school records in games played (464), total attacks (4,855) and digs (1,916), while leaving Coastal as the career leader in kills (1,561) and single-season kills leader with 487 in 2002. Lambert additionally set school single-season records in kills per game (4.09), total attacks (1,364) and digs (560).
Owens (Baseball 1999-02) was the Big South Conference Player of the Year in 2002, earning first team All-Big South honors in 2001 and `02. Owens set the school record for doubles in a season (24) in 2002, now ranking second, and his .417 batting average for that year ranks fourth in the school's record book. For his career, Owens tallied 249 hits, currently fifth-best (tied) in school history, while he currently ranks third in career doubles (54), fifth in career runs scored (175), sixth in career stolen bases (64), 10th in career triples (10), 11th in career RBI (139) and 17th (tied) in career home runs (26). Also a key cog in Coastal's team success as he helped the squad to NCAA berths in 2001 and `02, Owens was a 34th-round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Vera (Men's Golf 2000-02) was the 2001 Big South Conference medalist and Player of the Year. Also in 2001, he became the first Chanticleer to earn an individual berth to the NCAA postseason. The following year, Vera helped Coastal Carolina reach the 2002 NCAA East Regional. He was a two-time All-Big South pick (2001 and `02) and added a fourth-place finish at the 2002 Big South Championship to accompany his medalist honor the previous year.
Jacobs Named Big South Defensive Player of the Week
For the second week in a row --and the third time in four weeks -- Coastal Carolina has produced the Big South Defensive Player of the Week. The reigning honoree is Andrae Jacobs for his play at VMI, with Dominique Davenport being selected the previous week (for his play at Gardner-Webb Oct. 30) and Jamel Davis (for his play at Presbyterian Oct. 16) -- all wins for the Chanticleers.
Jacobs led an impressive defensive effort aaginst the Keydets with eight tackles, including a game-high five solo stops, to maintain his lead as the Big South's leading tackler, adding a sack and pass break-up. The PBU came on a second down and Liberty would eventually punt, leading to Coastal's second scoring drive of the game. Later, Jacobs made two big tackles during a drive which VMI had its best opportunity to score a touchdown. First, he had a sack during the drive. Then, on fourth and one from the CCU two, Jacobs dropped Chaz Jones for no gain, keeping the score 24-3.
Coastal kept an opponent out of the endzone for the first time this season and it marked the first time Coastal held an opponent to as little as three points since a 31-3 win over Towson (Sept. 20,. 2008, a 29-game span). Coastal's defense allowed a season-low 199 yards of total offense with 118 of those 199 yards coming on VMI's first four drives. Also, of VMI's final 11 drives, the Chants' defense forced a punt nine times, got a turnover on downs one time and returned an interception for a touchdown once.
This marks the first weekly honor Jacobs has received. In addition to leading the Big South in tackles (9.44), he ranks 34th in the nation. Jacobs also ranks second in the Big South in tackles for loss (1.07). His effort has helped Coastal Carolina lead the league and rank 15th nationally in tackles for loss per game (7.67). Coastal also ranks second in the league and 37th nationally in sacks with an average e 2.11 per game.
Other Slow Starts and Big Finishes
As seen above, Coastal had a slow start at VMI, but closed the game in dominating fashion, especially on the defensive end. Here are some other slow starts Coastal had to nearly pull out wins.
In the home opener versus Georgia Southern, the Eagles jumped out to a 22-3 to start the third quarter and 269 yards of total offense. Over its final six drives, the Eagles only gained 99 yards. Coastal, who cut its deficit to 29-26 with the ball and momentum, had a costly fumble, helping GSU hold on to the win. After gaining 154 yards on CCU's first six drives, the Chants gained 297 yards over its next five drive to get within three.
Richmond jumped out to a 20-0 lead on Coastal Carolina, scoring touchdowns on three of its first four possessions. At the end of the first half, Richmond led 27-13 and had 255 yards of total offense, converting 5-of-9 third downs. The second half, Coastal's defense turned up the intensity. The Spiders only managed 90 yard of total offense in the second half, converting just 1-of-6 on third downs. More impressively, Coastal only allowed 19 offensive plays for 20 yards over Richmond's first six drives of the second half before allowing a six-play, 70-yard touchdown drive that sealed the game.
Versus Stony Brook, Coastal was down down 31-0 to the Seawolves and allowed 238 yards of offense with 9:50 left in the second quarter. Coastal's defense only allowed seven points and 81 yards of offense the rest of the way (10 possessions), with six three-and-outs and no drive exceeding eight plays or 30 yards. Stony Brook's only score came from six yards out after Coastal went for it on fourth down with just under five minutes to play. On the flip side, Coastal's offense only managed 108 yards and a TD in the first half only to start the second half with back-to-back touchdowns and gaining 147 in the first two drives.
Andrae is Giant -- Big South Tackles Leader, 2nd in TFL
With just 25 tackles in his freshman season and playing with preseason All-Big South linebackers Desmond Steward and Chris Walls, Andrae Jacobs was not the odds-on favorite to be the team leader in tackles through nine games. However, the 5-11, 245-pound linebacker is doing just that with 85 stops --18 more than the next closest on the team, as well as leading the Big South and 34th nationally, with an average of 9.44 stops per game. Jacobs came through with 11 tackles in each of his first two games before coming up with 13 versus Georgia Southern. Jacobs' total suffered in the Delaware State and Presbyterian wins, getting just six each time, but had 14 at Richmond.
Although he had just six stops versus the Hornets, Jacobs had two TFLs moving him to the top of the Big South list in the category. Jacobs had slipped to second in the Big South in tackles but rebounded with 12 stops at Gardner-Webb to jump back into the lead. Jacobs, who had a sack at VMI, also averages 1.06 TFL per game to rank second in the league.
MacDowall Made Case for Big South Offensive Player of the Week
Zach MacDowall, who was the Big South Offensive Player of the Week for his play at Presbyterian, made a strong case to earn his second honor this past week. He completed 16 straight passes from the first quarter to the start of the third and accounted for three touchdowns (two passing and one rushing) in the Chants' 31-3 win at VMI. During CCU's three offensive TD drives, MacDowall was a combined 11-of-11 passing for 207 yards (2 passing TDs and a rushing TD). He played his best game of 2010 and turned in his most efficient game of his career, completing 18-of-24 passes (75.0 percent) to 11 different receivers for 254 yards and two TDs, giving him a 183.07 passing efficiency for the game. During the streak, MacDowall had completions of 14, 7, 8, 12, 15, (-5), 17, 9, 21, 53, 18, 12, 9, 28, 2 and 29 yards.
After going down 3-0, MacDowall answered right back, going 5-of-5 for 56 yards on a scoring drive, including a 15-yard touchdown to Marquel Willis for the 7-3 lead. Midway into the second quarter, VMI backed Coastal up inside its own one after a 34-yard punt. MacDowall gained one yard on first down for some breathing room then hit David Duran for a 21-yard gain. Two plays later, MacDowall scrambled and hit Ben Collins for a 53-yard completion, the second-longest completion of the season for MacDowall. He capped the seven-play, 99-yard drive with an 18-yard TD pass to Willis. MacDowall was once again perfect on the drive, completing 3-of-3 passes for 92 yards. To start the second half, Coastal's defense forced a three-and-out and the CCU offense kept the momentum, driving 79 yards in seven plays to take a 24-3 lead. MacDowall was 3-of-3 passing during the drive, including a key 29-yard completion to Matt Hazel on third down. MacDowall then found paydirt from two yards out for his fifth rushing TD of the season and 14th of his career.
Durham Ties CCU Field Goals Made Record
Justin Durham split the uprights from 23 yards out as the first half came to a close, giving Coastal a 17-3 lead at the break. That kick also was Durham's 40th career field goal made, tying the CCU record set by Josh Hoke. (Durham accomplished the feat in 41 games compared to 45 by Hoke.)
Durham scored seven points in the Chant's 31-3 win at VMI, making all five of his kicks (four PATs and the 23-yard field goal).
After missing two PATs at Richmond and starting the season 10-of-14 on extra points, Durham has made each of his last 14 PATs and both field goals over the last four games.
Cunningham Closing Career in Fine Fashion; Set Record, Pads Record
Senior Keon Cunningham is closing his career, leaving nothing on the field. First, the safety led Coastal with a carer-high eight tackles in the Chants' win at Presbyterian. Then, over the last two games, Cunningham has come away with an interception, returning his at VMI 38 yards for his second career touchdown -- becoming the first Chant to return two picks for six.
With his two interception returns, Cunningham now has eight picks for his career and he owns the CCU all-time record for interception return yards with 225.
Duran Quietly Having Better Year
David Duran is quietly having a better season in 2010 than last season, when he was first team All-Big South. To date, he has a team-best 27 catches for 360 yards. Last year, he led Big South tight ends with 19 for 273 yards.
Sack Stat in Jeopardy at VMI; CCU leads BSC & Ranks 5th Nationally
Coastal's sack stat of allowing no more than one sack in any game was in jeopardy at VMI as Zach MacDowall was sacked on Coastal's third play from scrimmage. However, the team rallied and did not allow another sack the rest of the game.
Coastal did not give up a sack in back-to-back games -- at Presbyterian nor versus Stony Brook -- and also did not allow a sack at West Virginia.
Coastal has not allowed more than one sack in any one game this season. The Chants rank fifth (tied) in the nation, allowing just 0.67 sacks per game. Last year, Coastal Carolina allowed 25 sacks -- 2.18 per game --to rank 73rd in the NCAA and allowed 25 -- 2.08 avg -- in 2008 (69th).
Get Back; Chants Lead Big South in TFL, 15th Nationally
Despite facing Heisman Trophy candidate and an explosive offense at West Virginia, Coastal Carolina's defense dropped the Mountaineers behind the line of scrimmage nine times for minus 27 yards. Leading the way were sophomores Andrae Jacobs and Chris Thomas, each with 1.5.
Coastal's nine TFLs at West Virginia tied for 12th-best in the FCS after week one. However, that stat should not surprise the Chanticleer faithful as Coastal has ranked first or second in the Big South in tackles for loss in each of the last five seasons.
Coastal added seven versus Georgia Southern's formidable triple option attack, 11 versus Delaware State, 10 at Presbyterian and 11 at Gardner-Webb.
With an average of 7.67 TFL/game, Coastal leads in the Big South and ranks 15th nationally in tackles for losses.
Stats
News
Schedule
Roster
