CCU football notebook: Turnovers continue to play a key role in Chanticleer victories

Coastal Carolina has been forcing turnovers at a rapid rate, and it continued Saturday in the Chanticleers’ 31-21 win over Bryant at Brooks Stadium.

The CCU defense forced three turnovers, as safety C.J. Thompson recorded his fourth interception in the past three games late in the fourth quarter, Nicholas Clark added an interception in the end zone in the third quarter and Dontay Hears forced and recovered a fumble on a punt in the first quarter.

The Chants have forced 11 turnovers in the past three games, and have intercepted multiple passes in four consecutive games, giving the Chants 24 forced turnovers in their 10 games, including 17 interceptions.

“I am delighted with the way our defense is playing this year, and certainly the interceptions are a big part of what we’ve got going on,” CCU head coach Joe Moglia said.

Thompson has become more of a playmaker since fellow senior safety Richie Sampson has been out with a knee injury. He was injured against Central Connecticut State on Oct. 22 and has missed the past three games.

Thompson had one career interception at the time of Sampson’s injury.

“I have a lot of confidence with our defense now,” Thompson said. “Richie went down a couple games ago so I had to pick up a lot of slack, being the quarterback of the secondary. I’ve taken that role pretty well, and I’m just reading my keys, and being tuned in more is helping me make more plays, and I’m being patient and letting the game come to me.”

Sampson said Saturday that he plans to return Thursday night against Liberty, which will add to the defense’s takeaway capabilities. Sampson has two interceptions in seven games this season, returning one 71 yards for a touchdown.

The Chants managed to score six points off its three turnovers Saturday, with De’Angelo Henderson scoring on a 5-yard run following Hears’ fumble recovery.

The Chants didn’t score on defense against Bryant, but entering Saturday’s game their seven defensive touchdowns would have been leading FCS and ranked second in FBS behind Alabama’s nine.

“It gives us something to chase after,” Thompson said. “We’re balling and making plays, but seeing that we’re close to Alabama gives us that much more energy and drive to surpass them and keep trying to make plays.”

Martin steps back

With Henderson, a senior, and junior Osharmar Abercrombie returning to action from injuries Saturday and combining for 31 carries, freshman running back Jah-Maine Martin of Conway didn’t see any action on offense, though he played on special teams.

Martin had carries in each of the past three games, gaining 29 yards on nine carries last week against Monmouth and rushing for 120 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries in his breakout performance in a 48-17 win at Presbyterian on Oct. 29.

Mapp still streaking

Though the Chants are having difficulty completing passes – they were just 5-of-10 for 23 yards with two interceptions Saturday – senior Bruce Mapp continues to be a reliable target.

Mapp had two receptions for eight yards Saturday, extending his streak to at least one catch in 20 consecutive games. Mapp has two games remaining to add to his 165 career catches, which is second in program history behind Matt Hazel.

HOF baseball reflections

Coastal Carolina inducted its 2016 class into the George F. “Buddy” Sasser Athletics Hall of Fame prior to the game, and the inductees were recognized on the field at halftime.

The inductees were baseball players Tommy La Stella, Ron Deubel and David Sappelt, women’s golfer Aruca Felgueroso, men’s track and field athlete Tyler McCart and women’s soccer player Blair Monroe.

It’s no surprise that three baseball players are in the class, considering the strength of the program for two decades under coach Gary Gilmore.

Deubel, a Chants pitcher in 1998 and ’99, watched with pride and joy as the Chants won the 2016 College World Series. The native of Maple Heights, Ohio and resident of Sagamore Hills, Ohio, attended 10 days of the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

Deubel was recruited by coach Gary Gilmore from a junior college for the coach’s third and fourth seasons at CCU, and his first two winning seasons.

His catcher was current CCU associate head coach Kevin Schnall, and they were roommates who remain in constant contact. “I’ve stayed pretty closely tied to the program,” Deubel said. “As a former player you were proud that you had a small part in it. The feeling was indescribable. Pride not only for the program, but one of my best friends Kevin Schnall, seeing him come back to the program in the first year, and obviously for coach Gilmore. He recruited me to come here.

“When I was here he had visions of going to Omaha, and sure enough with hard work and dedication it happened. I couldn’t be more proud for Gilmore, Schnall, and many former players, we all felt we had a small part in helping the program.”

Deubel set the CCU single-season mark with 136 strikeouts in 1998, and he’s now second on school’s seasonal Ks list.

He said he has returned to campus at least every two years and has attended several of CCU’s baseball regionals. Saturday’s game was the second football game Deubel has attended. He’s a bit envious of the growth of the school since his departure, particularly the athletic facilities.

“Seeing the campus as a whole it’s just unbelievable. I can just imagine 10 years from now where it’s going. I guess you’re a little jealous, but it’s all relevant. When we were here we thought we had it all.

“Kevin and I have conversations, ‘Are these guys better or do they just have that much more equipment and facilities and preparation and specialized training?’ We didn’t have any of that back then. Now they have a nutritionist, weight trainer, academic adviser, they’ve got everything. I’m sure it helps.”

This story was originally published November 12, 2016 at 8:14 PM with the headline "CCU football notebook: Turnovers continue to play a key role in Chanticleer victories."