Even with Henderson out, Coastal Carolina running roughshod

With an All American in De’Angelo Henderson as its running back, the Coastal Carolina football team has relied heavily on its run game.

Even without Henderson, who has sat out the past three games due to a shoulder injury suffered in the fourth quarter of an Oct. 15 win over Gardner-Webb, the Chanticleers have continued to pound the ball.

Coastal Carolina (7-2) has gone over the 200-yard rushing mark eight times in nine games and heading into Saturday’s home game against Bryant (4-5) at 2 p.m., the Chants bring two straight 300-plus rushing yard performances with them.

“It speaks volumes about our run game,” Coastal Carolina offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude said. “Don’t get me wrong, we’ve been able to pass the ball but we have been very, very successful on the ground. And although Henderson isn’t playing right now, that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to do that.”

Senior Kenny Daniels – the third-string running back entering the season – took over the starting running back role when Henderson went down and made his first career start in a win over Central Connecticut State three weeks ago. Daniels managed just 76 yards on 25 carries in that one, but in the past two games Daniels has hit the 100-yard rushing mark each time.

Daniels may see his fourth straight start should Henderson, who was a full participant in practice this week, not be able to go.

“Kenny has been effective, and really stepped up when we needed him to,” Coastal Carolina head coach Joe Moglia said. “I like what our backs have been able to do despite all of the injuries we’ve had to deal with. Now, we’d love to see Henderson back but we won’t rush that. If he isn’t ready to go we aren’t going to risk anything.”

Also, the services of backup running back Osharmar Abercombie likely won’t be available for the fifth straight week after an injury suffered in an Oct. 1 loss to Charleston Southern.

It has put a lot of weight on Daniels’ shoulders but he has handled the load quite well.

“I know that they’re asking me to do more, and I’ve honestly been waiting for this for a long time,” Daniels said. “I hate to see [Henderson] out, but I’m gonna keep doing what I need to do to help this team.”

Henderson, meanwhile, said it has been awkward sitting on the sidelines watching his team pound the ball without him, but has liked what he’s seen from those stepping up as Coastal Carolina has had a total of 17 different players carry the ball this season.

“It’s been weird, for sure,” Henderson said. “But, man, this team is special and I know that they’ll continue to do work with or without me. I’d love to be back in there with my boys, but I have to do what’s best for the team and for myself.”

This season, Coastal Carolina has 409 carries for 2,189 yards (5.4 yards per carry) and the team has combined for 21 rushing touchdowns.

But it’s no surprise for the coaching staff, which plans for the team to continue its success on the ground.

“We’re gonna keep relying on our run game no matter what,” Patenaude said. “We have some really talented guys that can carry the ball, whether it be our regular All-American, or our trusty backups, or a wide receiver or our quarterback. They can all get some big yardage, and that’s nothing new.”

This story was originally published November 11, 2016 at 4:32 PM with the headline "Even with Henderson out, Coastal Carolina running roughshod."