Coastal Carolina football: 3 takeaways from win over Georgia Southern

Coastal Carolina football found a way to win without starting quarterback Grayson McCall. What did we learn from the Chanticleers’ win?

It was the Chanticleer defense that held Georgia Southern’s unique option-centered running attack at bay on route to a 28-14 victory at Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina. The win keeps Coastal Carolina in first place in the Sun Belt East and undefeated and in the New Year’s Six conversation.

The usually potent Eagles running game was limited to just 119 yards, nearly 170 yards below their season average. The usually efficient passing game yielded two interceptions, and quarterback Shai Werts ended the day with a QBR of 4.9.

The Chanticleers found out 30 minutes before the game that starting quarterback Grayson McCall would not play in this game. The QB1 duties fell on backup quarterback Fred Payton. The junior quarterback responded with 252 yards passing and three touchdowns.

The usually strong running game struggled for the Chanticleers rushing for a season-low 130 yards at 3.2 yards per rush. The Georgia Southern defense was as stout against the Chanticleer’s running game as the Chants were against the Eagles running game.

When Coastal Carolina needed it most, back up quarterback Fred Payton came through in the passing game. Payton’s favorite target? Jaivon Heiligh. The junior wide receiver had five catches for 107 yards, including a 54-yard reception.

Coastal’s win keeps them in the driver’s seat in the Sun Belt and the argument for a New Year’s Six bowl. Georgia Southern played tough once again, coming up just a bit short.

Here are three more takeaways from this afternoon’s game.

3. Sometimes you have to find a way

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers are in a unique position in their young history as an FBS football program. The Chants are playing with expectations. From now until the end of the season, Coastal is not sneaking up on anyone anymore. This game was the perfect example of that. Despite a tough game from Georgia Southern, Coastal found a way to win.

The Chanticleers did a great job of playing with adversity as well. Coastal found out 30 min before the game their star quarterback was not going to play. Back up quarterback Fred Payton stepped up and had to play well since the running game was nixed.