East Carolina University (ECU) spoiled Coastal Carolina’s Saturday night with a 38-0 shutout at Brooks Stadium on Saturday night, handing the Chanticleers their first scoreless game since 2008.
Coastal’s defense gave the crowd energy early. Within the first quarter, cornerback Ja’marion Wayne laid a big hit on third down to force a punt and later broke up two deep passes. The Chanticleers also forced a fumble and blocked a field goal, but the offense couldn’t take advantage.
ECU quarterback Katin Houser kept the Pirates moving with quick throws, hitting wide receiver Yannick Smith on a fourth-down slant for the opening touchdown.
A field goal by the Pirates stretched it to 10-0 by halftime.
Coastal’s best chances at a win slipped away with costly mistakes. CCU quarterback Tad Hudson extended plays and hit receivers in stride, but penalties, sacks and turnovers wiped out his gains.
On a last last-ditch effort to gain traction, Coastal wide receiver Malik Meiga dropped a would-be touchdown in the end zone, and ECU defensive back Jamarli Riddle came up with a red-zone interception to stall another drive.
Head coach Tim Beck didn’t hold back about the mistakes.
“I honestly don’t even know what to say to them right now,” Beck said. “We do film, and we preach turnovers lose games. After last week we talked and talked about how turnovers hurt not only the offense but put the defense in an even worse position, and we came out and did worse tonight.”
The second half turned lopsided.
ECU wide receiver Anthony Smith torched the secondary with 10 catches for 123 yards, setting up running back Parker Jenkins’ short touchdown run. Backup quarterback Mike Wright added a rushing score, and the Pirates piled on with two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
CCU linebacker Shane Bruce snagged an interception to give Coastal a spark, but again the offense came up empty.
“We know as a defense that it’s up to us to win the game even when the offense is having rough nights like this,” Bruce said. “Obviously towards the end of the night we didn’t do that, and we just have to be better.”
Hudson finished with five turnovers, and the Chants have now coughed it up eight times in their last two games.
Coastal’s record dropped to 1-2 as they look to rebound on the road next week at South Alabama in the Sun Belt opener.
