Coastal Carolina Scouting Report

Coastal Carolina Scouting Report

Offense: Coastal Carolina will try to be very close to a 50-50 run-pass team no matter what formation they line up in. The Chants ran it 58% of the time last season, but do have the capability to put up big passing numbers. They will utilize the shotgun, but will also run plays from under center with a fullback. Teams like this, balanced teams that utilize multiple offensive formations, are difficult to defend because of the unknown factor. Last season, the Chants went shotgun, no-huddle against the Hawks and threw the ball for 233 yards. This season, in CCU’s 18-0 loss at FBS-member Kent State last week, they gained 185 yards, only 78 of which came on the ground. Wake Forest transfer QB Zach MacDowall went 12-of-26 passing for 107 yards with an interception and 25 yards rushing against the Golden Flashes last week. Last season he passed was 17-of-26 for 233 yards through the air against the Hawks. True freshman Jeremy Height, who rushed 14 times for 52 yards against Kent State, saw the bulk of the carries last week for Coastal. Junior Marquel Willis led the way with three catches for 37 yards last week for CCU.

Defense: The Chants will play a 4-3 defensive alignment and all three linebackers return this season after seeing extensive time a year ago. Coastal lost last week at Kent State 18-0, but that score is misleading, as the Golden Flashes led at the half only 2-0. CCU held the Flashes to 3.6 yards per carry and intercepted KSU QB Giorgio Morgan twice. Last season, the defensive unit limited MU to 267 total yards when the two squads met in West Long Branch. Safety Dominique Davenport, who had last season cut short by an injury just four games, and corner Josh Norman led CCU with six tackles apiece against Kent State. Last season, Coastal gave up 355 yards per game, including 167.8 yards per game on the ground. CCU did record seven tackles for loss last week and three sacks, so they were able to get pressure on the QB. In the first half against the Golden Flashes, Coastal’s defense forced four punts, record a pick, held KSU on a fourth down attempt and saw the Flashes miss a field goal.

Special Teams: Junior Justin Durham is Coastal Carolina’s kicker, and he missed his only attempt last week, a 43-yarder. He was CCU’s kicker last season as well, converting 9-of-16 field goals and 21-of-25 extra points. Junior Ben Erdman is the Chants punter, and he was a busy man against Kent State, punting eight times for an average of 34.6 yards per kick with a long of 45. Tre Henderson return two kickoffs for 21 yards last week, and he along with Height and DJ McNeill will handle the kickoff returns, with Josh Norman returning punts.

My take: CCU is probably the most talented team the Hawks will face the season. They have speed and size all over the field and present difficult match-ups for MU all over the field. As much as I want to pick the Hawks, I have a hard time predicting a Monmouth win in this spot. I do think the Hawks offense will move the ball and Sinisi will have a solid game, but I see the Chants coming through with a 31-17 win.