A starter in name only: Coastal quarterback Grayson McCall did not play against JMU
Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall, who’s been sidelined with an injury since Oct. 21, was announced as the starter for the Chants against James Madison University on Saturday.
But McCall did not take the field on CCU’s first drive, instead standings on the sideline without a helmet.
The initial announcement was made on the big screen at Brooks Stadium prior to the game, and the news was confirmed by Associate Athletics Director for Media Relations Rixon Lane.
McCall, fully dressed in helmet and pads, took warm-up snaps and made practice throws.
Head Coach Tim Beck said during his midweek news conference McCall was not cleared for contact, but also did not name a starter. Beck has been vague on who would start at quarterback since McCall was injured against Arkansas State earlier this season.
Both backups, Jarrett Guest and Ethan Vasko, have started this season, and Vasko took the field for CCU on its first drive, signaling the starting role was, indeed, ceremonial.
Fans chanted throughout the first half for McCall to play, but he never did.
By the start of the second half, McCall was no longer in uniform, and most of the CCU faithful had already filed out of Brooks Stadium, with CCU already down 28-0.
CCU Head Coach Tim Beck said after the game that McCall was announced as a starter because it was senior night, and McCall is a senior.
“He had no intention of playing,” Beck clarified after the game.
Beck added McCall was not cleared to play and reiterated that he didn’t know if the quarterback would take the field again this year.
This story was originally published November 25, 2023 at 3:30 PM.
