Coastal Carolina Football Analysis: Chanticleers’ Offense Has Found Its Stride

The free concessions brought more excitement to Brooks Stadium than Coastal Carolina’s offense did through the first month of the season.

The Chanticleers were consistently sputtering and only scored a combined 20 points in their first three games. They only managed 13 total points in their Week 2 and 3 home showings which saw an underwhelming 13-0 win over Charleston Southern and a 38-0 loss to East Carolina.

Through its first five games, CCU was averaging a mere 13 points and was 2-3. 

However, it’s been a complete 180 for the Chanticleers in the last month. They’re now 6-3 overall and 5-1 in Sun Belt play, and they’re on a four-game win streak where they’re averaging 38 points per game. They’ve scored 40 points in three consecutive games for the first time since 2021. That year, CCU led the Sun Belt with 40.9 PPG.

With the emergence of redshirt senior quarterback Samari Collier, the offense has been revamped.

The Hutchinson Community College transfer stepped in for an injured Tad Hudson in a Week 7 win over ULM and has since been the starter. Hudson took over starting duties in Week 3. 

Collier has added a dynamic to the Chanticleers’ offense that has now rushed for over 200 yards in the games where he’s taken the majority of the snaps. During those four games, Collier is averaging 89.5 rushing yards. App State’s Rashod Dubinion is currently the leading rusher in the league at 88.4 YPG.

Collier’s explosiveness was on display in last week’s win over Georgia State when he housed an 85-yard run on CCU’s first snap from scrimmage.

Led by Collier’s 123 yards, the Chanticleers gained 324 yards on the ground in that victory. It was the most they’ve rushed for since churning out 406 yards against Texas State in November 2020.

Collier’s ability to use his legs has kept defenses off balance and made things easier on CCU’s deep running back room. Running backs Ja’Vin Simpkins, Dominic Knicely, Jevon Edwards, and Jalen John each have 40-plus carries this year and have usually all been effective when their numbers are called. 

The rushing attack has also made things easier for Collier when dropping back to pass. The big plays through the air are often open because defenses are so concerned with the Chanticleers’ ground game. Collier has 471 yards and seven TDs on just 36 completions.

CCU’s offense has flourished, and I wouldn’t say the team is doing anything too fancy. The Chanticleers utilize a good amount of pre-snap movement and occasionally have multiple backs in the backfield which has allowed them to get their playmakers in space and use their speed. Overall, it seems like the Chants have just gotten back to the basics.

None of this would be happening without the offensive line, however. Nick Del Grande, Joseph Hanson, Heston Edwards, and Thomas Johnson are returning starters who you can tell have built chemistry.

The guys up front are setting the tone for an offense that is unquestionably dangerous right now. Most importantly, though, is that CCU’s new identity has helped put it in position to earn a spot in the Sun Belt title game. 

With a victory over Georgia Southern this week, the Chanticleers will have a win-and-in opportunity when they host James Madison in the final week of the regular season. The Sun Belt East division will be on the line, and JMU will either be 7-0 or 6-1 in conference play entering that matchup.

Following a 47-7 defeat to Old Dominion five weeks ago, I don’t think many people thought Coastal Carolina would be in this position.

But the season is long, and the Chanticleers’ adjustments and turnaround should be noted. They’re now in position to shock the Sun Belt.

Coastal Carolina vs. Georgia Southern Prediction

I predict Coastal Carolina gets the road victory. As of this writing, college football betting odds have Georgia Southern as a 2.5-point favorite.

I don’t anticipate Georgia Southern having much of an answer for the Chanticleers’ rushing attack. The Eagles are allowing a league-worst 222.7 rushing yards per game, even though they did only surrender 77 yards to App State in last week’s win.

There’s simply just more at stake for CCU in this game, and I think it will play that way.