Coastal’s Kryptonite
Younger fans may not remember or have heard of the first time Coastal Carolina played in Norfolk. In 2012, after ODU defeated the Dukes in Harrisonburg they hosted an FCS playoff game against the Chanticleers in Norfolk. Taylor Heinicke scored eight touchdowns in a 63-35 beating. For the Chanticleers offense, quarterback Aramis Hillary completed 21 of 39 passes for 352 yards and three touchdowns. But two picks and six sacks gave Old Dominion the opportunities they needed to win. A decade later, ODU did it again. Last season ODU shocked Coastal in Conway 49-21 handing them another beating and bringing the series to 2-0 in the Monarchs favor. There is no doubt that a very talented Coastal team will seek their revenge when they return to Norfolk on November 4th.
On paper, Coastal should compete for the SBC East title again. They were the official SBC East champs last season even though ineligible JMU sported a better record, a scenario only possible with ODU’s win against Coastal and star quarterback McCall’s injury sidelining him against JMU. Head coach Jamey Chadwell built a very strong football team in his five years as head coach having been to three straight bowl games. However, he is getting a mighty big pay raise to coach Liberty this season and thus the Chanticleers bring in Tim Beck to take the reins. Beck spent the last three years as offensive coordinator at North Carolina State and this season will be his head coaching debut.
At quarterback…drum roll please…the Chanticleers return three-time Sun Belt Player of the Year Grayson McCall. After flirting with transferring to Auburn, he decided that he does indeed “piss teal” (real quote) and will return for his senior year. McCall is on track to have every Coastal passing record and is the favorite to win the Sun Belt Player of the Year again before he turns his attention to the NFL. He took command of Chadwell’s complicated offense and knew it like the back of his hand. For the very first time, he will have to learn a new offense under Beck and we may see a slight learning curve. Former ODU commit and Chesapeake native quarterback Ethan Vasko redshirted at Kansas last season and has now transferred to Coastal. He will back up and learn from McCall this season and potentially replace him next season.
The rest of the offense is stacked too. The running game should be improved if the running backs remain healthy. Their top three rushers are returning and expect to split reps between Reece White, CJ Beasley, and Brayden Bennett. The line loses their top two linemen but returns three starters otherwise. Finally, their receiver group has some of the best players in the Sun Belt. Sam Pinkney and Jered Brown both return, giving McCall weapons to excel. Last season the unit scored 27 points per conference game and gained 401 yards per conference game, good for sixth in the Sun Belt. However, those stats were with McCall missing two games. If he stays healthy in 2023, the unit could be the best in the conference.
On the other side of the ball, the secondary is a concern. Last season many teams ate their lunch. Especially after losing their top two corners including former Monarch Lance Boykin who is currently with the Seattle Seahawks. However, they should be good against the run upfront. Linebacker JT Killen returns and will lead the unit. But they need to find pass rushers on the roster or else they may have trouble stopping any above average quarterback on third down. The unit permitted 420 yards per conference game (11th in the SBC) and 29.4 points per conference game (9th in the SBC). Those numbers may not improve in 2023 and the offense may have to bail them out of games.
But with a star quarterback and 30 seniors and super seniors, this team will compete for the SBC title in McCall’s last season. Vegas currently predicts 7.5 or 8 wins depending on the sportsbook. Outside of UCLA, they draw an easier schedule with Jacksonville State, Arkansas State, and Texas State. But they still have to play the rest of the SBC East and even ODU will be difficult for them when they travel to Norfolk. Could lightning strike for a third time against the Chanticleers in another high scoring match?
Want more? Please check out the Game 10 Opponent Preview: Liberty.