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It is Homecoming weekend in Conway, and what better way to celebrate than with some Chanticleer football? Coastal Carolina returns home to Brooks Stadium to take on Old Dominion on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m. EST.
Coastal Carolina (3-5, 2-2 SBC) is looking to build on the momentum from their 31-20 road win over Georgia State, in which freshman quarterback Deuce Bailey threw for 307 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Sophomore Kennesaw State transfer Clayton Coppock Jr. had the best game of his Chanticleer career, with seven receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns, all in front of his hometown crowd. Coppock attended Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta, GA, about 25 minutes from Georgia State’s football stadium.
Senior tight end Zach Courtney, who has spent his entire collegiate career in Conway, turned in the best performance of his career. He hauled in four catches for 89 yards and a touchdown. Courtney missed the beginning of the season while recovering from a mid-body injury, but has made a positive impact for the Chanticleers since his return.
Although the Chanticleers struggled to establish a ground game, finishing with just 63 rushing yards on 1.9 yards per carry, their passing attack and defensive effort helped carry them to victory.
Practice Preparation Begins to Pay Off
Head Coach Ryan Beard emphasized the importance of situational football throughout the week of practice, noting that the coaching staff focused on preparing players to respond effectively to a variety of game situations.
“We had a really good team meeting and talked through some things, and that was the biggest step, I think, you saw in regards to our football team, is their ability to take what’s being taught and apply it in the game when it really matters most, and prove that it’s successful,” Beard said.
Defensively, one of Coastal’s biggest priorities entering the matchup was improving its ability to stop the run. The Chanticleers rose to the challenge, limiting Georgia State’s rushing attack to just 160 yards. Coastal’s defensive backs also did their part, staying disciplined against vertical routes and winning contested balls to prevent the Panthers from generating explosive plays through the air.
Head Coach Ryan Beard noted during his midweek press conference that Coastal’s defensive priority will once again be stopping the run, aiming to force Old Dominion to rely on its passing game. Offensively, the Chanticleers must be prepared to adjust to a variety of defensive looks, as the Monarchs utilize different rotations and formations to create challenges for opposing offenses.
“Those are really the two things: be ready for multiple looks on offense and on defense, stop the run and make them air it out, make them one-dimensional… If you’re a right-handed guard, make them go left,” Beard said.
Despite Bowl Hopes Fading, Old Dominion Still Has Plenty to Play For
Old Dominion (2-7, 1-5 SBC) enters the matchup having lost seven of its last eight games, most recently falling at home to Marshall, 36-23. The Monarchs struggled offensively, as quarterback Jaxon Potter threw three interceptions and lost a fumble on the second play of the game, setting the tone for an uphill battle.
Head Coach Ricky Rahne stressed post-game that the number of plays left on the table was unacceptable and not a formula for winning.
“First play, second play, ninth play and twenty-first play, you know, interceptions are going to be a problem when you’re in a game like that, especially when you’re playing from behind, and you need every point you can muster,” Rahne said.
Defensively, the Monarchs held their own despite the final score. Although they surrendered two rushing touchdowns to Marshall running back TJ Lester, the Thundering Herd relied heavily on their kicking game, connecting on a school-record five field goals to secure the win.
As Old Dominion prepares for this week’s matchup, Rahne acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the starting quarterback position as Quinn Henicle continues to recover from injury. During his midweek press conference, Rahne said the coaching staff will evaluate the situation throughout the week before deciding who gives the Monarchs the best chance to win.
Another key storyline for the Monarchs is how they will approach the remainder of the season with bowl eligibility fading. During his midweek press conference, Rahne emphasized that despite the team’s record, his players remain committed to the game of football and motivated to win.
“You just play cause you wanna win, right?… It’s one of those things that winning should be and will always be, as long as I’m coaching, the reward in and of itself, not the external things that are going on,” Rahne said.
More Than a Homecoming Game
With both teams looking to build momentum in the closing stretch of the season, Saturday’s matchup presents an opportunity for Coastal Carolina to carry its recent success into Homecoming weekend. The Chanticleers will look to capitalize on their home-field advantage, continue developing their offensive rhythm and build on the defensive improvements shown against Georgia State. Meanwhile, Old Dominion enters Conway looking to snap its recent skid and prove it can finish the season on a positive note.
Old Dominion Monarchs at Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Brooks Stadium — Conway, SC
Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m. EST
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Chanticleer Sports Network WRXZ 107.1