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Location: Brooks Stadium in Conway, SC
Time: 6 PM Eastern (5 PM Central)
Weather (as of 9/14): 82 degrees w/ 65% humidity and 20% chance of rain
So, moving right along after last weekend's embarrassment, we head down to CCU to take on the Chanticleers. As discussed over at this thread, Coastal will be moving up to the FBS level over the next couple of years (joining recent migrators Appalachian State and Georgia Southern in the Sun Belt). It's the battle of the "unique nicknames" with Coastal currently being the only college team with the name (Rutgers had the nickname from 1925-1955).
Currently Coastal is 2-0 after a close road win over Furman (38-35) followed up by a dismantling of MEAC team South Carolina State (41-14). Coastal is averaging 222 yards per game rushing and 275 yards per game passing at this point with an average of 39.5 points per game. Defensively, they average giving up 24.5 points per game, have had 1 sack, forced 1 fumble and picked up 3 interceptions.
Their top starting RB, De'Angelo Henderson, currently has 231 net yards (115.5/game). They have another RB with 2 TDs and 49.5 yards/game (Orsharmar Abercrombie) and their QB has 1 TD and 21.5 yards/game (Alex Ross).
Henderson also currently leads the team in receiving yards with 86.5/game, although no receiving TDs. Two WRs (John Israel and Bruce Mapp) each have 2 TDs so far.
Their QB, Alex Ross, is averaging 261.5 yards per game passing and 4 TDs, with a 158.02 efficiency rating.
Coastal's defense is led by LB Alex Scearce w/ 15 tackles (11 solo) and 2 tackles for loss. LB Devon Brant has 13 tackles (11 solo) w/ 1 tackle for loss. DB Kerron Johnson has 10 tackles (9 solo), and DB Dontay Hears has 8 tackles (8 solo) and a sack.
The STATS FCS Poll lists Coastal Carolina at #2, up from #3 last week. Western has moved back from the #30 spot (in others receiving votes) to 31.
The FCS Coaches' Poll lists CCU at #1 (same as last week) and Western at #40 (in others receiving votes).
The AGS poll has Coastal listed at #2 (same as the previous week) and despite the loss this weekend, Western is listed at #28 (down 2 spots from last week's #26).
And according to Massey Ratings CCU is #4 and we're #22. We're also listed as having a 34% chance of winning with a most likely final score of 32-26.
So, it looks like despite the ugly game last weekend, we weren't dinged too much in the rankings...I'm wondering if people are thinking Illinois is actually decent this year.
Coastal's Fan Message Board is http://www.coastalfans.com and the current thread they have discussing the game is here: http://www.coastalfans.com/forum/index. ... ic=58429.0 (although it's mostly talking about attendance at this point).
This will be Coastal's first game at home this season, and the first on the new teal turf. The stadium only holds (at this point) 9,400 fans and despite the home opener, it doesn't sound like they're expecting a sellout game, so a big change in atmosphere (and crowd noise) from last weekend. The last time Western played against Coastal was in the 2010 playoffs (the first postseason game played at CCU's Brooks Stadium) when the offensive duo of Matt Barr and Lito Senatus and the defensive play of Kyle Glazier, plus 4 interceptions by our DBs led to a 17-10 WIU victory.
Overall, I think we have a bit of an advantage defensively (although maybe it doesn't look like it on paper). We don't have quite as good of a rushing defense (although it's not a huge difference), and our passing defense is better even including the game against Illinois. We currently have the same turnover margin as Coastal, but against much a much tougher slate of opponents. I realize it's going to be a tough game, Coastal is a very good team, but I think that our defense can keep things close as long as the offense is able to put together some drives and give them time to rest.
My prediction, Western comes away with a close 24-21 victory and come home 2-1 with a week off before conference play starts.
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
