The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers defeated the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs for a 31-27 non-conference win on Saturday night. In a game that saw three interceptions, four fumbles and nine punts, the Chanticleers are off to a 2-0 start for the third straight season.
Even with GWU totaling 495 yards of total offense, the Chanticleers made timely plays on defense with two interceptions and three fumble recoveries. None bigger than the Lance Boykin interception to seal the game with 55 seconds left in regulation.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Chants totaled 354 yards of total offense. Quarterback Grayson McCall was 22-for-30 for 308 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. McCall spread the ball around hitting eight different receivers. Sam Pinckney led the way with seven catches and 87 yards. Tyson Mobley added three receptions for 50 yards and two crucial touchdowns. Transfer Jacob Jenkins recorded his first career touchdown as a Chanticleer.
Special teams contributed immensely for the Chants as freshman Matthew McDoom returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Kicker Kade Hensley drilled a 48-yard field goal and also recovered a fumble on a kickoff.
After holding a 17-10 halftime lead, Coastal Carolina forced a punt from the GWU offense. McCall led the Chants down the field for a 71-yard touchdown drive that was capped off by Mobley’s second touchdown catch of the game. The score put the home team in front 24-10 with 8:33 left in the third quarter.
Gardner-Webb responded by putting up a touchdown and then a field goal on their next two possessions to cut the deficit to 24-20 entering the fourth quarter. GWU took advantage of another defensive stop after McCall couldn’t convert a third-and-18 near midfield. The Runnin’ Bulldogs would take its first lead of the game after a Bailey Fisher rushing touchdown.
McCall kept his poise being down 27-24 in the fourth quarter. The offense would compose a 10-play, 84-yard drive while taking over four minutes off the clock. McCall hit Jenkins for the go-ahead score taking a 31-27 lead. Boykin would pick off Fisher twice in the final 5:38 to seal the game for the Chanticleers.
Coastal Carolina (2-0) will conclude their three-game homestand to start the season next Saturday, September 17th, against the Buffalo Bulls (0-2). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET.
