The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers emerged triumphant in the EasyPost Hawaii Bowl, securing a 24-14 victory over the San Jose State Spartans. The win not only marked the Chanticleers' second bowl triumph but also put an end to the Spartans' impressive six-game winning streak.
Ethan Vasko, the redshirt freshman quarterback for Coastal Carolina, played a pivotal role in the victory, throwing three touchdown passes and showcasing his versatility with 199 passing yards and an additional 50 yards on the ground from 17 carries. Vasko's stellar performance guided the Chanticleers to an 8-5 season record, capping off the year with a memorable bowl victory.
The EasyPost Hawaii Bowl witnessed a historic low-scoring first half, with Coastal Carolina taking a 7-0 lead into halftime. Vasko's connection with super senior tight end Matt Alaimo proved instrumental, as they combined for a two-yard touchdown pass with 3:16 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Chanticleer defense played a crucial role in maintaining their lead, forcing Spartan fumbles on consecutive third-quarter drives. These turnovers were then converted into 10 points, with Vasko finding tight end Kendall Karr for a two-yard touchdown and kicker Kade Hensley adding three more with a 49-yard field goal.
San Jose State mounted a valiant comeback effort in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 unanswered points to narrow the gap to a field goal. However, Coastal Carolina responded emphatically. Vasko orchestrated a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive, culminating in a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch by super senior Sam Pinckney in the corner of the end zone.
Pinckney's performance in the game etched his name in Coastal Carolina program history, becoming the third player to achieve a 1,000-yard receiving season and setting a single-season program record for receptions.
The defensive efforts, marked by forced fumbles from Teddy Tiokeng and Abraham Temoney III, further solidified the Chanticleers' dominance.
With this hard-fought victory, Coastal Carolina concludes the season with an 8-5 record, showcasing their resilience and determination on the grand stage of the EasyPost Hawaii Bowl. The Chanticleers' success adds another chapter to their bowl history, affirming their standing among the competitive Sun Belt football programs.
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