The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers will make the trip to Harrisonburg to take on the James Madison Dukes from Bridgeport Stadium this weekend on ESPNU. JMU and Coastal Carolina have met twice previously, with the host winning both meetings.
Coastal Carolina improved to 9-1 after a win over Southern Miss in Week 11. The Chanticleers watched a 17-point lead evaporate, but managed to escape with a fourth quarter touchdown to stay atop the Sun Belt standings. CCU 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’s injury puts Coastal Carolina’s Sun Belt championship hopes in great danger. The star quarterback missed the nail biter last weekend, and Jarrett Guest struggled in relief, only completing seven passes and tossing two picks.
C.J. Beasley leads Coastal with 655 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while Reese White has added 414 yards and four scores. Sam Pinckney and Jared Brown have been strong on the outside. Pinckney, a Georgia State transfer, leads CCU with 53 receptions for 814 receiving yards. Brown has caught 40 passes, gained 897 total yards (702 receiving, 187 rushing), and scored six touchdowns.
James Madison is 7-3 after a win over Georgia State in Harrisonburg in Week 12. The Dukes and the Panthers went at it in typical Fun Belt style, with the host winning in comeback fashion, and the two schools combining for 82 points. JMU is averaging 36.1 points per game, while passing for 263.2 yards per game (75th) and rushing for 183.8 ypg (81st). The JMU defense gives up 22.8 points per game.
Todd Centeio’s return has led to back-to-back wins and it has JMU in the drivers seat for a spot in the Sun Belt title game. The senior quarterback came back in the blowout win over in-state for Old Dominion and threw for 304 yards, then followed it up by tossing four touchdowns in the shootout with Georgia State. Centeio’s a gamer, and he’s thrown for 2,410 passing yards with 21 touchdowns to five interceptions, he’s run for 373 rushing yards and six scores through nine starts.
Veteran running back Percy Agyei-Obese leads the Dukes in rushing after steady production throughout conference play with 829 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Fellow fifth-year senior Kris Thornton leads the team in receiving with 53 catches for 922 yards and seven touchdowns.
The late two-week absence may have helped or harmed the Chanticleers, but they’re about to head into a hostile environment Saturday. The writings on the wall for the Fun Belt to promote a Part II on the teal turf, JMU just has to hold their end.
As a Virginian, I had aspirations for Grayson McCall and Coastal Carolina’s trip through the mountains, but after having their stop in Charlottesville altered by heartbreaking tragedy, I’m going to steer away in full and roll with a place in my home state that’s very special to me. With the Commonwealth Cup being stripped from us, the Dukes will bring some glory to Virginia by earning a spot in the Sun Belt title game. The first season of FBS football in Harrisonburg has been successful, and it's about to hit a peak. Take JMU’s spread this weekend.
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
