Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Big South
Many people scratched their heads when Coastal Carolina dismissed long-time head coach David Bennett and brought in Joe Moglia before last season. Fast forward two seasons, and the Chanticleers have won almost 20 games in Moglia’s tenure. The team from Conway, South Carolina has regained their place at the top of the Big South Conference and the FCS polls, notching victories over numerous top teams in the process.
2013 Record: 10-2, 4-1
Coach: Joe Moglia
Big Wins: 9/7 Furman (35-28), 9/14 at Eastern Kentucky (51-32)
Bad Losses: 11/9 at Charleston Southern (26-31), 11/23 at South Carolina (10-70)
Strengths:
Coastal Carolina features an elite rushing game, led by Walter Payton Award candidate Lorenzo Taliaferro. Taliaferro is one of five active FCS backs to score more than 25 rushing touchdowns in fewer than 25 career games. The Chanticleers are a top-five rushing team, averaging just shy of 284 yards per game against FCS competition. The rushing attack has propelled Coastal to a top-ten standing in total offense (512.5 yards per game) against FCS competition. Coastal quarterback Alex Ross does not fill up stat sheets through the air (just six passing touchdowns), but has been a top-fifteen quarterback in efficiency throughout the 2013 campaign. The Chanticleers have taken down a Big South single-season scoring record, tallying over 500 points. Stony Brook’s three-season record of 494 fell in CCU’s 46-7 victory over Presbyterian.
Weaknesses:
For all of their offensive prowess, the Chanticleers have won a lot of games by simply outscoring opponents. Coastal has allowed 418 yards per game to FCS opponents, placing them outside the top 75 in total defense. CCU has allowed almost 200 rushing yards per game. FCS teams have also found success throwing the ball against Moglia’s club, as they rank outside the top 50 in pass defense. While the CCU defense has spent most of the season among the leaders in allowing turnovers, staying in single digits throughout the season, they have not experienced much success in forcing turnovers. Through the first 11 games, the team forced just 17 turnovers.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, 1,487 yards
Passing: Alex Ross, QB, 2,450 yards
Receiving: Matt Hazel, WR, 817 yards
Tackles: Quinn Backus, LB, 111
Sacks: Colton Blackburn, LB, 3.0; Roderick Holder, DE, 3.0
Interceptions: Quinn Backus, LB, 3; Johnnie Houston, DB, 3
2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 283.9 (3rd in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 228.6 (47, 3)
Total Offense: 512.5 (8, 1)
Scoring Offense: 45.5 (3, 1)
Rushing Defense: 198.2 (88, 4)
Pass Defense: 219.8 (61, 5)
Total Defense: 418.0 (83, 4)
Scoring Defense: 25.5 (57, 4)
Turnover Margin: 0.7 (17, 3)
Sacks: 1.55 (94, 4)
Sacks Allowed: 1.36 (30, 4)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
2012 First Round Defeated Bethune-Cookman
2012 Second Round Lost to Old Dominion
2010 First Round Lost to Western Illinois
2006 First Round Lost to Appalachian State
*all team stats through 11/16
