It wasn't for lack of effort. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers put up 482 yards of offense, pulled off a double-pass touchdown, and even had two non-quarterbacks throw scoring passes — something not seen since 2011. But when the final whistle blew at Paulson Stadium on Saturday, November 15, 2025, Statesboro, Georgia, the scoreboard told a different story: Georgia Southern Eagles 45, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 40. The loss didn't just sting — it ended their slim chance at winning the Sun Belt Conference East Division outright. Now, their postseason path is uncertain, and their rivalry with James Madison University Dukes — the division’s undefeated leader — just got a lot more complicated.
Georgia Southern’s Offensive Fireworks
Turns out, Georgia Southern Eagles had been saving their best for last. Running back OJ Arnold didn’t just break tackles — he shattered expectations. He rushed for 267 yards and scored four total touchdowns, turning what looked like a defensive battle into a track meet. His long runs weren’t just big plays; they were momentum killers. Every time Coastal Carolina clawed back, Arnold answered with a 40-yard burst or a diving goal-line plunge. Meanwhile, wide receiver Camden Brown rewrote the school record books with three touchdown catches, finishing with 133 yards. Quarterback JC French IV kept the chains moving, going 22-of-33 for 264 yards and two scores. The Eagles’ 653 total yards were the most under head coach Clay Helton — a clear sign this offense finally clicked at the right time.
Coastal Carolina’s Offense Shined — But Defense Crumbled
On paper, Coastal Carolina’s offense looked elite. Quarterbacks Tad Hudson and Samari Collier combined for 280 total yards, with Collier adding a five-yard touchdown run. Wide receiver Jameson Tucker caught four passes for 107 yards, including a jaw-dropping 75-yard touchdown that briefly gave the Chanticleers hope. Then came the magic: Bryson Graves threw a 12-yard TD pass to Karmello English after taking a direct snap — and just minutes later, Robby Washington did the same. Two non-QBs throwing TD passes in one season? Not since 2011. It was creative, gutsy, and historic.
But here’s the thing: none of it mattered if the defense couldn’t hold. Georgia Southern converted 10 of 18 third downs. They averaged 7.8 yards per play. Coastal Carolina’s defense, which had been solid in previous wins over Appalachian State and Georgia State, looked lost. They allowed three plays of 50+ yards. Their nine tackles for loss and two forced turnovers were heroic efforts — but too little, too late. The final drive, a 12-play, 78-yard march that ate up 6:47 of clock, sealed it. The Chanticleers had one last chance, down five with 1:28 left, but a tipped pass in the end zone ended their hopes.
Special Teams Kept Them Alive — Until They Didn’t
Special teams were Coastal Carolina’s bright spot. True freshman kicker Philippe Laforge drilled a 51-yard field goal — the longest by a Chanticleer since 2022. And Malcolm Gillie returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter — their first since 2020. Those plays kept the score close, gave the offense breathing room, and kept fans in the game. But when the defense couldn’t stop the next drive, those momentum swings became footnotes. The Eagles answered every big play with a bigger one.
The Bigger Picture: Division Race and Bowl Hopes
Before kickoff, Coastal Carolina (6-4 overall, 5-2 Sun Belt) was tied with James Madison for the division lead. Now? They’re two games back. With James Madison (9-1, 7-0) having already clinched the East, Coastal Carolina’s path to a conference title game is blocked. They’re still bowl eligible — and likely headed to one — but the dream of a Sun Belt Championship berth is gone. Georgia Southern (5-5, 3-3), meanwhile, punched their ticket to bowl eligibility with their third win in four games. For the Chanticleers, it’s about salvage mode now.
What’s Next? A Tough Road in Columbia
Next up: a road trip to Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina to face the University of South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, November 22, 2025, Columbia, South Carolina. Kickoff is 4:15 p.m. ET, broadcast on the SEC Network. It’s a brutal matchup — South Carolina is 7-3 and coming off a win over Clemson. For Coastal Carolina head coach Tim Beck, who’s taken his team to a bowl game in every season since 2023, this isn’t just about winning. It’s about proving the program still has fight. Then, the regular season ends with a showdown against James Madison — a game that now serves as a de facto consolation match.
Behind the Numbers: What This Loss Means
Coastal Carolina’s offense ranked 12th nationally in scoring before this game. Now, they’ve allowed their most points since 2021. Their defense gave up 653 yards — the most since 2019. And Georgia Southern’s 45 points were their highest since beating Appalachian State in 2022. The numbers tell a story of imbalance: one team’s offense exploded, while the other’s defense couldn’t adapt. It’s not just about talent — it’s about adjustments. Coastal Carolina’s defensive coordinator, Chris Tabor, had to make halftime changes. But the Eagles kept finding the same holes. That’s coaching failure. That’s execution failure. And that’s why this loss hurts more than the record suggests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Georgia Southern’s offense manage to score so many points?
Georgia Southern’s offense thrived on big plays and third-down efficiency. Running back OJ Arnold averaged 8.9 yards per carry, and the Eagles converted 10 of 18 third downs. Their offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage, giving quarterback JC French IV time to find wide receiver Camden Brown, who broke the school record with three touchdown catches. Coastal Carolina’s defense, which had been strong in previous games, couldn’t adjust to Georgia Southern’s read-option and misdirection plays.
Why did Coastal Carolina’s two non-quarterback touchdown passes matter?
It’s rare in modern college football for non-quarterbacks to throw TD passes — let alone twice in one season. The last time Coastal Carolina had two such plays in a season was 2011. The plays by Bryson Graves and Robby Washington showcased creative play-calling and versatility, but they also revealed a lack of offensive depth at quarterback. With Tad Hudson injured earlier in the season, Samari Collier had to carry more load, forcing coaches to get creative — and that creativity, while exciting, couldn’t offset defensive breakdowns.
What are Coastal Carolina’s bowl prospects now?
Despite the loss, Coastal Carolina remains bowl eligible at 6-4. They’re likely headed to either the New Mexico Bowl, the Cure Bowl, or the LendingTree Bowl, depending on conference tie-ins. Their 5-2 conference record still ranks them third in the East, behind James Madison and Old Dominion. A win over South Carolina would improve their resume, but they’ll likely be a lower-seeded team. Their final game against James Madison won’t count for divisional purposes, but it could impact seeding.
How does this loss affect head coach Tim Beck’s future?
Tim Beck has been one of the most consistent coaches in the Sun Belt, taking Coastal Carolina to a bowl game in all three seasons since 2023. But this loss, combined with defensive struggles throughout the season, could raise questions about his staff’s ability to adapt. The Chanticleers rank 107th nationally in defensive yards allowed. While Beck has job security through 2026, his ability to recruit elite defensive talent and improve scheme will be closely watched this offseason — especially if the team misses the conference title game again.
Could Coastal Carolina still make the Sun Belt Championship Game?
No. James Madison (7-0 in conference) holds the tiebreaker and has already clinched the East Division. Even if Coastal Carolina won their final two games, they couldn’t surpass James Madison. The Chanticleers’ path to the championship game ended with this loss. Their focus now shifts to securing the best possible bowl bid and finishing the season strong — something they’ve done well under Beck, even in disappointing years.
What does this result mean for Georgia Southern’s program?
For Georgia Southern, this win is a turning point. After a 1-4 start, they’ve won three of their last four under head coach Clay Helton — a major turnaround. Bowl eligibility is now guaranteed, and the program has momentum heading into 2026. OJ Arnold’s breakout performance and Camden Brown’s record-setting day signal a new offensive identity. If they can maintain this level of play next season, they could challenge for the West Division title — especially if Louisiana and South Alabama struggle again.
