A low scoring affair in Conway but Chants shutout Bucs
A lights-out defensive performance helped seal a 13-0 victory for Coastal Carolina over Charleston Southern on Saturday.
Saturday’s matchup carried a bit of familiarity, as Coastal and Charleston Southern were once Big South rivals before the Chanticleers move to the Sun Belt. Coming into this game, Coastal led the all-time series 8-6, though the Buccaneers took the last meeting in a double-overtime shootout, 59-58 in 2016.
History didn’t repeat itself, as the Chanticleers defense ensured a much different outcome this time around. The first quarter showed shades of last week’s game against Virginia, as the defense held strong while the offense struggled to find its rhythm. Quarterback MJ Morris’ early-season struggles continued Saturday as he threw three interceptions and fumbled. One of those interceptions came on Coastal’s second offensive drive of the game, ending what had been a promising series.
After an offensive holding call on third down, junior Kian Afrookhteh opened the scoring with a field goal from 21 yards out as the result of a 15-play, 57-yard drive with 11 minutes left in the second quarter.
The Chanticleer defense forced the Buccaneers to punt on each of their first five possessions, and on the sixth, quarterback Zolten Osborne was intercepted by defensive captain Shane Bruce with 17 seconds left in the first half—Coastal’s first turnover of their 2025 campaign.
The Buccaneers were held to just 102 yards of offense in the first half, failing to convert a single third down, going 0-for-11 for the game, highlighted by seniors Dre Pinckney and Jacob Robinson, who each had three tackles by halftime.
Coastal’s running back room also came to play, averaging nearly five yards per carry. Freshman Dominic Knicely led the way with 9 carries for 92 yards, followed by junior Ja’Vin Simpkins with 13 carries for 58 yards and senior Jalen John with 14 carries for 51 yards. Simpkins displayed instincts and patience that can’t be taught; head coach Tim Beck emphasized his unique vision.
“We always tell our guys, ‘slow to fast through’, slow to the hole, fast through the hole, let it develop, and Ja’Vin’s really good at it. It’s one of the things he’s got, tremendous vision, as does Dom Knicely…Getting in there and being able to be a little bit more of a physical presence, so I was pleased with all that group,” he said in the postgame conference.
Coastal’s defense came out strong in the second half, forcing another punt after a sack by junior Zeke Campbell on the Buccaneers’ first drive of the half.
We got Big Ten Football in Conway!
Coastal Carolina leads Charleston Southern 3-0 heading into the 4th quarter. pic.twitter.com/eWMP0p1ao0
— Carolina Clash Sports (@Carolina_Clash) September 7, 2025
Returning to the ground game, Knicely broke off the biggest run of the year, a 52-yard burst that carried the Chanticleers all the way to Charleston Southern’s 17-yard line just three minutes into the third quarter.
The momentum from that run was quickly erased when Morris was picked off for a third time, only three plays later, by junior Steve Zayachkowsky.
To no surprise, sophomore Tad Hudson replaced MJ Morris at quarterback in the fourth quarter to create a spark for the offense.
Hudson did just that as he scored the game’s first touchdown with seven minutes remaining on a 4-yard rush, set up by a 4th-and-1 conversion from Jalen John and an 18-yard catch by junior Bryson Graves.
Osborne struggled to move the ball, completing 10 of 22 passes for 55 yards, with half of those completions going to senior Chris Rhone, who hauled in five catches for 32 yards.
James Madison transfer Ke’Marion Baldwin was one of Charleston Southern’s few bright spots, rushing eight times for 62 yards, including a 22-yard run.
The Chanticleers closed out the win as Afrookhteh made his second field goal of the game with a minute remaining, extending the lead to 13-0.
— Coastal Football (@CoastalFootball) September 7, 2025
Charleston Southern falls to 0-28 against FBS opponents, turning their focus to an in-conference matchup with Lindenwood for their first win of the season next Saturday.
Coastal is now 19-4 in home-openers as they improve to 1-1, seeking their second win against a talented East Carolina team.
About The Author
