Coastal Carolina defeated the University of Louisiana Monroe (UL) 23-8 on Saturday night at Brooks Stadium, improving in Sun Belt Conference play behind a strong defensive performance.
Quarterback Tad Hudson opened the game with a pair of first-down runs to lead the Chanticleers down the field on their opening drive.
Two fumbles inside the five-yard line pushed Coastal back, but placekicker Kian Afrookhteh converted a field goal to give the Chanticleers an early 3-0 lead.
Linebacker Dontae Lunan recorded a tackle for a loss on the following series as the defense forced a quick three-and-out.
Running back Ja’Vin Simpkins later broke loose for a 43-yard run, but a fumble and a holding penalty ended another scoring chance. However, Afrookhteh connected on his second field goal to make it 6-0 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, quarterback Samari Collier replaced Hudson and helped move the offense into a scoring position.
Collier showed up and showed out when being called up to aid the Coastal offense.
“You know it just feels good to get the win,” Collier said. “It’s always good to just be there for my guys when they need me, just being a good teammate and staying always ready because you never know when your numbers are going to be called.”
After the drive stalled on fourth-and-two, the defense again forced a punt with key plays from cornerback Lionell Whitaker and linebacker Tray Brown.
“I know my defensive line and my secondary are going to do their part so when I do mine everything clicks,” Brown said on key defensive plays that aided the Coastal win.
Afrookhteh made his third field goal to extend the lead to 9-0.
A trick-play fumble by wide receiver Jameson Tucker gave the Warhawks a good field position, but penalties backed them up.
The Chanticleers took their chances as running back Jevon Edwards later gained 43 yards on the ground, setting up a touchdown pass from Collier to tight end Brooks Johnson on an out route.
Coastal Carolina led 16-0 at halftime.
In the second half, the Coastal offense seemed to lose their momentum.
Running back Braylon McReynolds opened the second half for UL Monroe with a 41-yard run to move into Coastal territory, but the Chanticleer defense held on fourth down.
Warhawk quarterback Aiden Armenza then connected with wide receiver Jonathan Bibbs on a 43-yard completion and later for a touchdown. UL Monroe converted the two-point attempt to make it 16-8.
Coastal’s Collier responded with a 40-yard rushing touchdown to restore their momentum and extend the lead to 23-8.
In the fourth quarter, safety Xamarion Gordon broke up a third-down pass to force a punt, then intercepted Armenta on fourth down during the next series.
Safety Avyonne Jones later intercepted a double-pass attempt from UL Monroe to keep the Warhawks off the board.
Cornerback Fredd Adams ended UL Monroe’s final drive with consecutive pass breakups in the end zone, sealing the victory for Coastal Carolina.
The Chanticleer defense held UL Monroe scoreless in the fourth quarter and allowed just one touchdown after halftime.
Head coach Tim Beck celebrated Coastal’s offensive running success against ULM.
“We have a very talented stable of backs and on nights like tonight we had to lean on them, and they came through for us even against a pretty good run defense,” Beck said.
Looking ahead, the Chanticleers hope to keep the momentum going and a produce a strong offense as they travel to Boone, North Carolina, where they will face rival Appalachian State on Oct. 18 at 3:30 p.m.
