Despite a near-perfect outing from quarterback Grayson McCall, the Chanticleers lost big at home on Oct. 15 against Old Dominion University (ODU) with a final score of 21-49.  

For the second consecutive year, the Chants lost their homecoming game. The odds of this happening are not great, considering this loss was only the team’s fourth since 2020.  

McCall completed 26 of 34 passes for 356 yards and three touchdowns, but this was about the extent of the offense for the game.   

The Chants tallied just 88 rushing yards as opposed to the 324 ground yards the defense gave up to ODU. Coastal Carolina University’s defense gave up 201 passing yards as well, totaling 525 yards allowed. At 454, the Chants gained 71 yards less than the Monarchs but still lost by four touchdowns. 

Junior chanticleer sports network photographer Josh Whitlow said the passing game was looking in good shape against Old Dominion. He said he believes the problem was with the Chanticleer’s defense. 

“I think the Chants tried to establish the run way too much,” Whitlow said. “They ran the ball 42 times and averaged 2.1 yards per carry, leaving them playing from behind the chains and having a ton of 3rd and long situations.” 

The last time the Chanticleers trailed by 21 or more points in a game was 2019, when the Chants lost to the University of Louisiana Monroe, 7-48. This means most players had never experienced a collegiate deficit of three touchdowns or more.

However, some Chanticleer fans said they are not losing hope.

“This loss does not affect my confidence in how good this team can be, and that they can win the Sun Belt. Some things definitely need to change, but I trust that these guys will stay hungry and learn from this loss. I also have trust in coach Chadwell and the coaching staff to turn this loss into a positive catalyst for the rest of the season,” Whitlow said.

The Chanticleers will play next at Marshall on Oct. 29.