The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers head into their upcoming matchup against Temple riding high with a 2-0 record after back-to-back victories. In their most recent outing, the Chanticleers steamrolled the William & Mary Tribe 40-21, showcasing a dominant ground attack and a stellar performance from their special teams. Christian Washington led the way, rushing for 100 yards and two touchdowns, marking his second consecutive multi-touchdown game. Coastal amassed an impressive 277 rushing yards, keeping the Tribe defense on its heels all night.
The Chanticleers' offense has been clicking early this season, averaging a staggering 47.5 points per game. Quarterback Grayson McCall has overseen a balanced attack that has produced nine touchdowns — three through the air and six on the ground. The team's ability to consistently move the chains, with 48 first downs already this season, has been one of the key factors in their strong start. However, head coach Tim Beck knows that despite the Owls’ 0-2 record, his team can’t afford to take Temple lightly.
"Temple might be 0-2, but they're not a team to be underestimated," Coastal Carolina head coach Tim Beck mentioned in a press conference Wednesday that his team faced a tough Navy squad last season and their triple-option offense gave them problems. He also mentioned that Temple has played against quality teams, including the 15th ranked Oklahoma Sooners who are now a part of the SEC Conference.
Temple, on the other hand, is still searching for its first win. The Owls have struggled offensively, averaging just 7.0 points per game, placing them last in the nation. Their ground game has been virtually nonexistent, averaging only 52 rushing yards per contest. Despite this, Temple has shown flashes of brilliance in the passing game, with wide receiver Dante Wright turning heads with 101 receiving yards and a touchdown in their recent loss to Navy.
Defensively, Temple has faced some serious challenges, allowing 44.5 points per game, which ranks them second-worst in Division I. Their inability to stop the run has been glaring, giving up 258.5 rushing yards per contest. This could spell trouble against a Coastal Carolina offense that’s been lethal on the ground. But Temple’s secondary has shown resilience, surrendering just 135 passing yards per game, which ranks 31st in the nation.
Coastal’s defense has also been a force to be reckoned with, particularly in the red zone. The Chanticleers have allowed 24.0 points per game and are tough to break on the ground, holding teams to 132.5 rushing yards per game. Their pass defense, has limited opponents to a 51.8% completion rate.
Special teams have also been pivotal for Coastal, with kicker Kade Hensley nailing four field goals in the win against William & Mary, including a career-long 49-yarder. A blocked punt by Ibrahim Diawara set up one of Hensley's kicks, emphasizing how Coastal's all-around effort has helped them jump out to an early-season surge.
As Coastal Carolina prepares to take on the Owls at Lincoln Financial Field, it’s clear that the Chanticleers have momentum on their side. But Coach Beck is wary of complacency, especially against a team looking for a bounce-back win. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs, and while the Chanticleers are favored, they'll need to stay focused to avoid any surprises in Philadelphia. The game will be Saturday, September 14. Kickoff is set for 2:00 pm at Lincoln Financial Field and will air on ESPN+.
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