Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009

Coastal Carolina-Charleston Southern game breakdown

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (5-5,3-2 Big South) vs. Charleston Southern Buccaneers (5-5,3-2 Big South)

Series | Coastal leads 4-2, losing once in Charleston (2005) and once in Conway (2008).

Weather | 65 degrees at kickoff; Chance of rain: 20 percent; Winds:10 mph.

Injuries | Coastal: RB Eric O'Neal (ankle), DB Brandon Autry, TE Myron Rogers (knee), DT Matt Johnson (arm), DB Ray Emmerling (knee), LS Jamie Perkinson (shoulder), QB Josh Thomason (shoulder), OT Alex Wolfe (shoulder) and RB Robert Morris (knee) are out for the season. Charleston Southern: N/A.

Key number: 237.3

Charleston Southern gives up 237.3 rushing yards per game, ranking dead last among the nation's 118 FCS teams. The Buccaneers are almost 12 yards behind the 117th team, but not quite as bad as Presbyterian, which would rank last if the Blue Hose were eligible for the rankings. Coastal rushed for 276 yards against Presbyterian last week, improving to 33-4 all-time when rushing for 200 yards or more in a game.

Key matchup

Charleston Southern's 39th-ranked offense (362.8 yards per game) faces a Coastal defense that was shredded by Presbyterian last week but still ranks a respectable 46th nationally (327.5). The Buccaneers are fairly balanced, gaining 155.9 yards on the ground and 206.9 through the air. The Chants have fallen to 83rd nationally against the run (170.7 yards) but are 13th against pass (156.8).

Quarterback

Both starters are redshirt juniors will similar numbers. Both Charleston Southern's A.J. Toscano and Coastal's Zach MacDowall have completed less than 60 percent of their passes, have nearly identical touchdown-to-interception ratios and have efficiency ratings within five points of each other. MacDowall has thrown nine picks and nine touchdowns, while Toscano has thrown 11 picks and 10 touchdowns.

Edge | Push

Running back

In his final career game, Coastal's Tommy Fraser figures to carry the load for the Chants, who will likely try and pound their way to a win. Fraser has 592 rushing yards this season, averaging 4.7 per attempt. Diminutive sophomore Antwan Ivey, who is just 5-foot-5, 180 pounds, leads the Buccaneers with 345 rushing yards, though receiver Gerald Stevenson is the team's most dangerous threat on reverses and end arounds.

Edge | Coastal

Wide receiver

Stevenson, a 5-10, 165-pound junior, will likely be the most exciting player on the field. He is second in the Big South in all-purpose yards, third in total receptions and first in receiving yards. Charleston Southern's top four receivers, including Ivey (23 catches), are all under 6-feet tall, but the Buccaneers have good speed on the perimeter. Coastal now has seven players with more than 10 catches on the season, but none of them have more than 27.

Edge | Charleston Southern

Offensive line

Despite attempting 324 passes this season, Charleston Southern has given up just eight sacks all season. That's partly due to the team's quick-strike passing attack but also the strong play of the front five, which includes former West Brunswick (N.C.) standout Jordan Lancaster. In comparison, Coastal has given up 18 sacks this season, though the unit has played better recently.

Edge | Push

Defensive line

Much of Charleston Southern's defensive struggles can be attributed to the team's lack of size along the defensive front. Coastal's defensive line averages 6-1, 274 pounds, while the Buccaneers average just 6-1, 243. However, Charleston Southern end Joel Walton (five sacks) and tackle Chris Patrick (four sacks) rush the passer with success. Presbyterian ran through, over and around the Chants last week to pile up 487 yards of offense, including 220 on the ground.

Edge | Coastal

Linebacker

Charleston Southern's trio of Fred Godfrey, Andrew McKain and David Jackson are in on a lot of tackles. Coastal's Desmond Steward, E.J. Brown and Chris Walls need to tackle more effectively than they did last week against Presbyterian, when the Blue Hose put up huge numbers by breaking a bevy of tackles.

Edge | Push

Secondary

Coastal corner Josh Norman enters the final week of the regular season tied for the national lead in total interceptions (eight). He can make a final case for all-American against the pass-happy Buccaneers. Charleston Southern safety Chris Kuzdale is a playmaker with 54 tackles, three interceptions, five pass breakups and eight passes defended. The Buccaneers start corners who are both 5-9.

Edge | Coastal

Special teams

Charleston Southern kicker John Paglia hit 3-of-4 field goals last week against Stony Brook, including kicks of 51, 46 and 43. The final kick won the game in overtime. Ivey is ranked 26th in the nation in punt returns and has returned one for a touchdown. Stevenson is averaging more than 19 yards per kick return.

Edge | Charleston Southern

Coaching/Intangibles

Despite finishing undefeated at home, Coastal has yet to win a game on the road this season. The Chants haven't won a road game since Nov. 15, 2008, at Presbyterian. Charleston Southern has won eight of its last nine home games, including last week's upset over Stony Brook. The Buccaneers will honor their 13 seniors before the game.

Edge | Charleston Southern

Pick

Charleston Southern 28, Coastal 24

Saturday Morning Quarterback

Motivation

Coastal's players certainly have not forgotten about last year's 24-0 home loss to the Buccaneers, one of the toughest losses that any of them have had to endure. Can they summon their best in an effort to get revenge? Or will Charleston Southern play even more inspired on senior day?

Tommy's time?

Considering Charleston Southern's struggles against the run, it would be a surprise if Coastal tailback Tommy Fraser didn't play a large role. The Chants want to keep the ball away from the Buccaneers' offense, and the easiest way to do that is to keep the ball on the ground.