Coastal Carolina-Presbyterian Matchup Preview

Presbyterian (1-4) at Coastal Carolina (5-0)

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Brooks Stadium, Conway

TV/Online: ESPN3.com

Radio: WSEA-FM 100.3

Weather Forecast: 70 degrees with a 65 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms

Series History: Coastal Carolina leads 7-1 with seven straight wins

Last Meeting: The Chanticleers won 40-28 last year in Clinton, although they briefly trailed 14-13 in the third quarter. Alex Ross completed 18-of-30 passes for 258 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, De’Angelo Henderson rushed for 147 yards and two scores and Bruce Mapp had six catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.

Chanticleers Breakdown

Coastal Carolina heads into its much needed bye week after this, and the Chants will look to keep their perfect season going while continuing their dominance over Presbyterian.

The Chants have won seven straight games in the series, including the last three by an average margin of 34.3 points.

And they happen to be coming off their most complete win of the season, a 55-0 shutout over Alabama A&M last week.

Overall, Coastal Carolina is tied for the Big South lead in scoring at 39.8 points per game while ranking first in total offense (458.8 yards per game) and second in scoring defense (18.6 points per game allowed).

Blue Hose Breakdown

Presbyterian was voted fourth out of seven teams in the Big South preseason coaches and media poll, but the Blue Hose have struggled through the first half of the season.

Their lone win came against a non-scholarship Campbell team and in the last two weeks they have lost 21-0 to Chattanooga and 33-21 at Western Carolina. Their other two losses came to FBS opponents Miami of Ohio and Charlotte.

The Blue Hose rank last in the conference in scoring at 12.2 points per game and total offense (223.2 yards per game) and are fifth in scoring defense, giving up 25.4 points per contest.

Key Matchup

Presbyterian quarterback Tamyn Garrick vs. Coastal Carolina’s secondary: The Chants think the Blue Hose could rotate two quarterbacks, but Garrick got all of the work last week. The senior has had a rough season, completing just 39.8 percent of his passes for 413 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Redshirt-freshman Ben Cheek hasn’t been any better, completing 36.8 percent of his passes for 61 yards, no touchdowns and one pick while seeing action in four games. Either way, the Blue Hose are going to have to do better in the air if they want to keep pace with Coastal Carolina.

Spotlight Players

Coastal Carolina running back De’Angelo Henderson: “Hop” had a big game against the Blue Hose last year and enters the weekend ranked second in the FCS with 634 rushing yards.

Coastal Carolina wide receiver Bruce Mapp: The playmaker has caught touchdown passes each of the last two weeks and seems due for a breakout statistical performance.

Coastal Carolina defensive end Marcus Williamson: The sophomore has consistently made plays regardless of his role and will make his first career start Saturday.

Presbyterian running back Darrell Bridges: The 6-foot-1, 200-pound sophomore led the Blue Hose last week with 121 rushing yards and a touchdown and ranks second in the Big South with 527 rushing yards overall.

Presbyterian linebacker Donelle Williams: The standout senior leads the conference with 11.2 tackles per game and ranks sixth in Big South history with 346 career tackles.

Presbyterian safety Ed Britt: The senior is a proven playmaker and has 42 tackles, three tackles for loss and two interceptions so far this fall.

Scouting Reports

CCU offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude: “[They’re] in the right gap, very well coached. You’re going to have to earn everything that you get. They’re not going to be out of position. They don’t blitz a whole lot on first or second down so you have to execute. They have their plan, you have your plan and it’s going to come down to execution. I think athletically we stack up well. The thing about them is they always play us tough. They gave us everything we wanted last year, and I think that still sticks in our guys’ heads a little bit.”

CCU defensive coordinator Clayton Carlin: “I’ve got the utmost respect for Harold Nichols and their staff. They are a phenomenal, phenomenal coaching staff. They’re playing the two quarterbacks there – I think they’re both good. They’ve got a really nice running back and their skill is good. And they’ve got some nice size up front. They are going to be ready in spite of whatever their record is.”

Notes

Coastal Carolina is expected to be down two defensive ends this week with senior starter Calvin Hollenhorst set to miss his third straight game with a shoulder injury and senior Aaron McFarland, who had been filling in as a starter, out with an AC joint injury.

Sophomore Marcus Williamson will make his first career start in their stead.

▪ Senior wide receiver John Israel, who missed the last game due to turf toe, moved well in practice this week and is expected to be active Saturday.

Israel has nine catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

▪ As of Friday evening, Coastal Carolina had less than 1,500 seats remaining for the game.

It is youth day and fans 18 and under can get a ticket for $5 by mentioning the code CCU4YOUTH.

The school is also giving away Russell drawstring bags to the first 500 youths in attendance.

By The Numbers

0 | Coastal Carolina is the only FCS team that has not had an opponent attempt to return a punt yet.

8 | Presbyterian’s Marquel Hines ranks eighth in the FCS in total kick return yards at 365. He also returns punts.

9-3 | The Chants are 9-3 all-time in Big South openers.

13-3 | Coach Joe Moglia’s career record in conference play.

34.4 | Although there have been some close games in the series, Coastal Carolina’s average margin of victory in the last three meetings with Presbyterian is 34.4 points.

100-49 | Coastal Carolina’s all-time record after picking up their 100th win last week. The Chants are the first Big South program to reach that milestone.

105.4 | Presbyterian running baack Darrell Bridges is averaging 105.4 rushing yards per game, which currently ranks as the best per-game average in program history.

Prediction

Coastal Carolina 48-13: This game will show whether the Chants’ defense has truly turned the corner. The offense, meanwhile, should have its way and build on its dominant first half from last week.

This story was originally published October 9, 2015 at 6:56 PM with the headline "Coastal Carolina-Presbyterian Matchup Preview."