2018 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Preview

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers are entering their second season as a full-time member of the Sun Belt Conference. Instability at the head coaching position and along the Offensive Line lead to a devastating 3-8 season that included a tough 52-10 loss to  FCS Western Illinois. Let’s look at the stats and key players for the Chants and see if they can improve in 2018

 

Last Season

• 3-9 2-6 in Sun Belt (T-11th)

Big wins 

• 38-28 over UMASS (First ever win over a FBS Team)

Bad losses

• 52-10 to Western Illinois
• 27-7 to Texas State

Coastal Carolina had a strange first season in the Sun Belt in 2017.

The Chanticleers started off the season knocking off UMASS 38-28 for their first-ever win over an FBS team.  They would then be embarrassed by FCS Western Illinois 52-10 in Conway and then continue a nine-game losing streak but have close games against ULM, Georgia State and a one-point loss to Arkansas in Fayetteville. Coastal finished off the season on a high note with a road win over Idaho and a season-ending victory over Georgia Southern.

There was also a lot of instability last season for the Chants. Head Coach Joe Moglia took a leave of absence and new assistant coach Jamey Chadwell was tasked with guiding the ship.

Coastal Carolina also had the youngest offensive line in the entire FBS. For the majority of the season, the Chants started two freshmen, two redshirt freshmen and one sophomore on the Offensive Line. That gave a lot of experience to the young men on the line, including Trey Carter who started all 12 games and lead the team with 69 knockdowns.

The young star for Coastal Carolina was Freshman linebacker Silas Kelly, who led the team in tackles and was just named to the 2018 Sun Belt All-Conference Team.

The Chanticleers should have more stability this season. Moglia is back at the helm and the offensive line and defense are more experienced. If Coastal Carolina can improve on offense, the Chants could make a bowl game. They get UAB, ULM, Appalachian State and Arkansas State at home, and with winnable games against UMASS and South Alabama, look for Coastal Carolina to vastly improve this season.

Toughest Games

Sept 1 at South Carolina

Sept 29 at Troy

Nov 3 vs Appalachian State

Nov 10 vs Arkansas State

 

Top Returning Players

LB Silas Kelly

• 75 Tackles
• 5.5 TFL
• 1 INT
• 2 Forced Fumbles

WR Malcolm Williams

• 793 YDS
• 7 TD
• 219 Kick Return YDS

OL Trey Carter

• 69 Knockdown Blocks
• Started all 12 games as a Freshman

P/PK Evan Rabon

• Punts left-footed, kicks both right and left
• 43.2 Yards per Punt – 18 inside the 20-yard line
• 12-19 FG (Two 52-yard FG)

Last Year’s Stats

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Stat	CCU	Opponent
PPG	23.7	34
First Downs	221	261
Rush YPG	156.2	169.5
Rush TD	15	28
Pass YPG	189.1	241.2
Pass TD	18	20
INT	11	5
Fumbles Lost	7	6
Sacks	15	28
3rd Down	36%	48%
FG PCT	63.00%	65%
Avg Attendance	14,959	26,694

2018 Schedule (2017 Record)

• Sept 1 at South Carolina (9-4)
• Sep 8 vs UAB (8-5)
• Sept 15 vs Campbell (6-5)
• Sept 22 at Louisiana-Lafayette (5-7)
• Sept 29 at Troy (11-2)
• Oct 13 vs ULM (4-8)
• Oct 20 at UMASS (4-8)
• Oct 27 at Georgia State (7-5)
• Nov 3 vs Appalachian State (9-4)
• Nov 10 vs Arkansas State (7-5)
• Nov 17 vs Georgia Southern (2-10)
• Nov 23 at South Alabama (4-8)

 

Best Scenario: 6-6 (Road wins @ Louisiana-Lafayette and South Alabama, possible bowl game)

Worst Scenario: 4-8