RICHMOND, Va. - Down just eight and with the ball on the RIchmond two and under eight minutes left to play, Coastal Carolina threw interceptions on three straight possessions as the 11th-ranked Spiders pulled away for a 41-19 decision at Robins Stadium.
Coastal's defense had limited Richmond to just 21 yards of total offense in the second half, after allowing 255 in the first half, until the allowing 70 on the deciding drive. One, a fumble, led to Coastal's score and cut the deficit to eight. The second, an intercetpion and apparent score, would eventually just lead to a Coastal punt due a penalty called on the return.
After neither team scored in the third quarter, to start the fourth, Coastal's Andrae Jacobs made a big hit, jarring the ball loose, which Chris Thomas recovered on the Spider 15. Two plays later, Jeremy Height took the ball on a handoff and hit Brandon Whitley on a 13-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was missed and Coastal trailed 27-19.
On CCU's next possession, the Chanticleers put together an impressive drive to the Richmond two. However, on third and goal, MacDowall's pass in the back of the endzone was intercepted by Patrick Weldon. After a three-and-out, Coastal gave the ball back to Richmond when Justin Rogers intercepted a deep pass. The Spiders converted a key third down and put the game out of reach (34-19) with a 27-yard Kirchoff touchdown run.
Two plays after the kickoff, Rogers once again picked off a pass and returned it 34 yards for the final score, 41-19.
Coastal had some outstanding individual performances. Jacpbs finished with 14 stops with a tackle for loss and a forced fumble, while Desmond Steward had 10 stops. Offensively, O'Neal had 17 rushes for 99 yards with a score, while Whitley, for the second straight week. scored twice getting six catches for 101 yards.
The Spiders took advantage of the opening kickoff going out of bounds for a short field. The Chanticleer defense forced Richmond into three third and longs, but the Spiders were able to convert each time and eventually scored on a 14-yard Tyler Kirchoff touchdown. The extra point was missed to make the score 6-0.
Richmond scored on its second possession, going 71 yards in nine plays. Kendall Gaskins had an 11-yard run and Kirchoff reeled off a 14-yarder before getting in the endzone on a four-yard scored and 13-0 UR advantage.
On the first play on the ensuing kickoff, Eric O'Neal hit the right corner for a season-long 39 yard carry to the Richmond 20. However, on the next play, Matt Hazel fumbled to give the ball back to the Spiders. The teams traded punts and on Coastal's punt, Justin Rogers return the ball 44 yards to the Coastal 12. On the next play, Kirchoff found paydirt for a 20-0 cushion to start the second quarter.
Coastal got on the board midway through the second. Spurred by an one-handed, 22-yard reception by David Duran, the Chants were at midfield. O'Neal had a 12-yard run and Zach MacDowall hit Trae Long on a 32-yard pass to the Spider one. O'Neal capped the drive with a one-yard plunge. The extra point hit the upright to make the score 20-6.
On third and long, Richmond quarterback Aaron Corp was in trouble and scrambling before finding Ben Edwards deep for a 47-yard score, putting the Spiders back up 21, 27-6. Coastal answered right back on a near identical play. After a 14-yard O'Neal run, MacDowall avoided the Spider pressure and hit Brandon Whitley across the middle for a 48-yard score. After the Durham PAT, the Chants trimmed the deficit to 14 again, 27-13.
Midway through the third, Coastal's defense made a big play. Corey Hawkins made a big hit on Corp, forcing the ball to hang in the air with Dominique Davenport getting the interception. He apparently scored on the play, but a penalty brought the ball back and the Chants could not capitalize and were punt to punt.
Coastal Carolina will off next week and returns to action Oct, 16 at Presbyterian. From that point on, the Chants will be in Big South action with the league's automatic bid to the NCAA FCS playoffs up for grabs.
