Everything you need to know for Coastal Carolina vs. Furman

Last meeting

Coastal Carolina won 38-35 on Sept. 5, 2015

Series record

The Chanticleers lead 6-1

Coastal Carolina

Strength: Lots of firepower at key positions.

Weakness: Inexperience, lack of depth at quarterback.

Furman

Strength: Tough defense.

Weakness: Questions at quarterback position.

Key matchup

CCU QB Tyler Keane vs. Furman’s defense: After three injuries at the quarterback position, Tyler Keane will become the second quarterback to make his collegiate debut this season for the Chants. Keane showed poise in last week’s 27-26 loss to No. 4 Jacksonville State and is eager to start his first game just miles down the road from where he played during his prep career at Myrtle Beach High School. And despite three straight losses, the Furman defense has helped keep the Paladins stay fairly close with their opponents.

Players to watch

Coastal Carolina

Senior running back De’Angelo Henderson: Henderson was held to under 50 yards rushing in last week’s loss, so expect him to come out on a mission. Henderson did score last week, extending his NCAA Division I record for most consecutive games with at least one touchdown to 29 and will look to keep that streak alive.

Senior linebacker Alex Scearce: He leads the team in tackles (22), tackles for loss (4.5) and sacks (2). Scearce also has one interception after three games and will look to make a big impact Saturday.

Junior defensive end Marcus Williamson: He led the team with six quarterback hurries last season despite very limited playing time, but he has yet to record a QBH in three games. Expect Williamson – who has 11 tackles (two for loss) and one sack – to explode off the line multiple times Saturday.

Furman

Redshirt junior wide receiver Andrej Suttles: One of Furman’s most productive and consistent threats at receiver, Suttles leads the team in receptions (15) and receiving yards (128). He’s also the only receiver to score a touchdown in three games as he looks to help get his team off a three-contest losing streak.

Redshirt junior linebacker Carl Rider: Rider – who led the team with 136 tackles in his redshirt freshman season (2013) – has dealt with multiple injuries that kept him sidelined for all of last season and for the most of the 2014 season. This year, he leads the Paladins with 37 tackles (2.5 for loss) and has one sack in three games.

He said it

“In my opinion, [the injuries at quarterback] really feeds us. We’re all boys; this is our family. So, if we see them hurting in one way, we know we have to fight even harder and help them out. Just like in the game, if something happens on offense, we’re all like, ‘OK, we got you this drive.’ Or if we’re struggling, the offense will have us on the next drive.” – Coastal Carolina senior defensive back Samson Baldwin

Scouting report

“At least since [I] have been here, we’ve played three times. They have played us very, very tough. They do a good job coming after our offense. They’ve done a good job coming after us on defense, they’ve held their own on special teams. I think looking at film they’re a good football team. Their record is 0-3, but look at who they played (Michigan State, The Citadel, Chattanooga). Number one, this is a big game for them. Number two, after losing three games they have to stop the bleeding and turn it around.” – Chants head coach Joe Moglia

Notes

▪ The Chants have won five straight against Furman, but each game has been decided by seven points or less and two of the games went beyond a single overtime.

▪ Coastal Carolina linebacker Shane Johnson is trying to work his way back from an ankle injury suffered in the season-opening win over Lamar. The junior missed the past two games, but freshman Laqavious Paul has stepped in and made an impact in Johnson’s absence.

▪ It’s “Family Weekend” for the Chants and all seats at Brooks Stadium are sold out for the game with standing room-only tickets being sold.

Prediction

Coastal Carolina 35, Furman 31. The Paladins are always one of the toughest opponents on the Chants’ schedule every year, and this game should not disappoint for those watching. “I think they’re going to come in here ready to go,” Moglia said. “I have no doubt that it will be a good football game.”

This story was originally published September 23, 2016 at 5:24 PM with the headline "Everything you need to know for Coastal Carolina vs. Furman."