Coastal Carolina will make the trip to Huntington and take on Marshall this weekend from Joan C. Edwards Stadium on the NFL Network.
Coastal Carolina dropped to 6-1 after losing to Old Dominion in Week 7. A dominant second half from ODU would hand Coastal a shocking first loss on their homecoming day. Coastal Carolina is averaging 33.1 points per game, while passing for 282.2 yards per game (46th) and rushing for 175.8 ypg (82nd). The CCU defense gives up 29.8 points per game.
Grayson McCall is having another fantastic season for the Chanticleers, and he’s definitely going to bounce back here and give Marshall a lot of trouble. McCall tossed three touchdowns for the fifth time this season versus ODU, and has thrown for 1,940 passing yards with 18 touchdowns to one interceptions through seven starts this season.
C.J. Beasley has taken over the backfield after an injury to Reese White, and he leads Coastal with 539 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Sam Pinckney and Jared Brown have been McCall’s favorite targets this season. Pinkney, a Georgia State transfer, leads CCU with 44 receptions for 623 receiving yards. Brown has provided a lot of big pay ability since the start of Sun Belt play, scoring in each of the four games, while catching 28 passes for 565 yards.
Marshall improved to 4-3 after defeating James Madison in Week 8. Marshall got back into the win column with their second biggest win of the season, out-scoring JMU 24-0 over the final three quarters, and spoiling their homecoming. Marshall is scoring 26.6 points per game, passing for 184.6 yards per game (216th), and rushing for 204.2 ypg (40th). The Marshall defense is allowing 16.5 points per game.
Cam Fancher replaced Henri Columbi in the starting lineup, and won a battle of true freshman last weekend in Harrisonburg. Fancher threw for 159 yards with a touchdown, and two interceptions versus JMU, and he may need to rev it up for Coastal Saturday.
Khalan Laborn has been a true workhorse for the Thundering Herd. The senior back surpassed the 150-yard mark for the fourth time against the Dukes, and he’s one of the first backs in the country to reach the 1,000-yard mark this season. Laborn has rushed for 1,002 yards and a Sun Belt-leading 12 touchdowns. Corey Gammage returned after leading Marshall in receiving last year, and he’s on pace to do so again this season with 28 catches for 361 receiving yards thus far.
Coastal Carolina is 3-4 against the spread this season, with a 1-1 record on the road. Marshall is also 3-4 against the spread this season, with a 1-2 record on the road. The over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
This might end up being a real good clash of styles, with Coastal coming into town with a potent aerial attack, while Marshall possesses one of the stronger ground games in the country. After handing JMU their first loss in the FBS play, Marshall will look to pull off a third statement win this season.
Coastal will be looking to bounce back after a tough first loss. They will come into this one with the significantly better option at quarterback, it all will come down to how well they contain Laborn and the Marshall run game. Coastal as underdogs here are too appealing to pass up, and they’ve got a good chance to come through.
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
