The Chants Barely Escape with a Win Over the Bucs in Home Opener Thriller
Photo Credit: Ryan Joe All Rights Reserved
In a gritty, turnover-heavy showdown, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers squeaked out a narrow victory over the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, taking their home opener with a final score that reflected the game’s intense defensive battle. Both teams struggled to maintain possession, combining for four turnovers in a game where points were hard to come by.
Game Recap
The Chanticleers secured the win thanks to a dominant ground game and a key defensive stand late in the fourth quarter, despite a shaky performance from quarterback MJ Morris, who threw three interceptions. Coastal Carolina relied heavily on their running backs to grind out the win. Dominic Knicely led the charge with 92 yards on nine carries, including a game-breaking 52-yard run. Ja’Vin Simpkins and Jalen John added solid support on the ground, helping control the clock and field position.
The game’s only touchdown came from backup quarterback Tad Hudson, who scrambled into the end zone on a 4-yard run to give CCU the lead they would never relinquish.
Charleston Southern’s defense kept them in the game throughout, forcing three turnovers and showcasing ball-hawking prowess. Cornerbacks Nick Sawyer and Jayden Hancock, along with linebacker Steve Zayachkowsky, each came away with an interception, disrupting CCU’s passing game all night. Charleston Southern’s run defense was also on their A game buy forcing 3 fumbles to MJ Morris, Jalen John, and Ja’Vin Simpkins with 1 fumble for each. However, the Buccaneers’ offense failed to capitalize consistently, with quarterback Zolten Osborne throwing an interception of his own and drives frequently stalling under pressure.
MVP of the Game: Dominic Knicely (RB, Coastal Carolina)
Photo Credit: Ryan Joe All Rights Reserved
In a game dominated by defense and mistakes, Knicely was the spark plug the Chants needed! His 52-yard run was the offensive play of the night, flipping field position and shifting momentum back to CCU. He finished with 92 yards on just 9 carries, proving to be the most explosive and reliable offensive weapon in a tight contest.
Florence Blood
Friday nights under the lights in Florence, South Carolina, continue to shape college football Saturdays across the region. Former South Florence offensive lineman Justin Joe (R-Fr) now grinds in the Buccaneer trenches, while former West Florence receiver Bryson Graves (Jr) who accounted for 61 of the Coastal’s 139 receiving yards on five receptions. Their presence in this matchup not only highlights the depth of talent coming out of Florence-area high schools but also adds a hometown layer to this already hard-fought game. Local fans had plenty to cheer for on both sides of the ball as these former crosstown rivals battled once again at the beach.
SC High School Hopefuls on Benton Field
Coastal Carolina University recently welcomed several standout South Carolina high school football players to campus for a visit, highlighting the region’s growing talent. Among the visitors was Waccamaw High School wide receiver Adrian “AJ” Gate Jr., a promising athlete from the Class of 2026 known for his speed and route running. Joining him was edge rusher Nasir Walker from AC Flora High School, also in the Class of 2026, who has been turning heads with his explosive plays off the line. From the Class of 2027, Irmo High School wide receiver Maleek Miller also made the trip, bringing early attention to his potential as a rising star. The visit gave these young athletes a closer look at the Chanticleers’ football program and facilities, as well as an opportunity to connect with coaches and envision their future at the collegiate level.
WHAT’s Next?
Coastal Carolina (1-1) will look to clean up their offensive mistakes as they prepares for a tough contest next week against the East Carolina Pirates. Limiting turnovers will be key as they face stiffer competition deeper into the season. The defense showed resilience, but the quarterback situation may need to be re-evaluated if MJ Morris can’t cut down on errors. Charleston Southern (0-2) walks away with a loss, but not without optimism. The defense showed playmaking ability and depth, particularly in the secondary. Next week, the Bucs will welcome the 0-2 Lindenwood Lions onto Buccaneer Field, hoping to win their first game at home.