Chanticleers beats Gardner-Webb

Coastal gained their second win on Saturday, Sept. 10 against Gardner-Webb, 31-27.

The win was on an 84-yard, fourth-quarter drive led by quarterback Grayson McCall.

The game was back and forth, with the only difference in score larger than seven lasting less than two minutes.  

McCall went 22 for 30 with 308 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.  

Senior wide receiver Sam Pinckney caught seven balls for 81 yards, while junior wide receiver Tyson Mobley scored two touchdowns within his three catches for 50 yards.  

With McCall slinging the ball 30 times, the team ran the ball considerably less than they did against Army, totaling 46 yards on the day. Reese White, senior running back, rushed 13 times for 35 yards and CJ Beasley, redshirt sophomore running back, rushed seven times for 23 yards.  

The Chanticleer defense allowed 495 yards, 448 passing and 47 rushing, but also came away with five turnovers. Redshirt senior cornerback Lance Boykin finished the game with two interceptions, and the Chanticleers also recovered three fumbles. Senior safety Jairan Parker, sophomore defensive end Braylon Ryan, and freshman kicker Kade Hensley recovered one fumble each. The team also tallied six tackles for loss and four sacks. 

Adam Miller, junior, praised the crowd environment and the team. 

“The offense was on point,” he said. “The crowd was electric. It never disappoints, even on a rainy day.”  

Rachel Hinckley, junior, said she enjoyed the student section crowd.  

“Even with the weather this weekend, the energy of the crowd was insane. Everyone was so hyped up to cheer the team on,” Hinckley said. 

The 2-0 Chanticleers next face off against the Buffalo Bulls at Brooks Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m.