Coastal Shows Off Strong Defense Against JMU (fans)

Spring Break Law Enforcement Was Prepared!

Many of us who are familiar with Sun Belt geography, or the geography of South Carolina know Coastal Carolina is not very far from Myrtle Beach. As such, the two are generally tied together by those who don't know the area well, or just don’t want to say Conway because it doesn’t sound as “sexy”. However, given their proximity to the beach, it is not surprising that Coastal’s law enforcement has plenty of experience handling rambunctious crowds who have been encouraged by spirited liquids throughout the day. 

As such, law enforcement at the Coastal vs. JMU game was up to the challenge when rowdy Dukes fans came to watch their 10-1 team try and spoil the Chanticleers chances at a Sun Belt Championship game. Fans who threw streamers were promptly tossed from the stadium in a show of force that would make many fans of Coastal proud. They stood up to JMU, who was incessant in their celebrations, seemingly having streamers for days. The JMU fans were so loud in their celebrations that even on TV they could clearly be heard and spotted. But, like I said, Coastal’s law enforcement provided a valiant effort in defense of their home turf. 

The same, unfortunately, could not be said of the Beach Chickens between the lines. Apart from a couple of iffy drives to begin the game, JMU literally coasted to victory unlike any other game they have had all season. The scoreline of 56-14 may not even do justice to how dominant the performance was. Jordan McCloud had another 6 touchdown gem, 5 through the air and one on the ground. Elijah Sarratt and Reggie Brown became the first Sun Belt duo of wideouts to have 1,000 yards in the same season, and Sarratt added 4 scores of his own with 1 by land and 3 through the air. The offense was humming so much that the outstanding run game and a top performance by Phoenix Sproles also receiving could get lost in the shuffle for those not paying attention.

Then of course there’s JMU’s defense, which by their own standards was likely pissed off to give up 2 long touchdown plays in the game, but otherwise stifled Coastal Carolina. 3 forced turnovers helped to make the victory more lopsided, and the Dukes looked as ferocious as ever and seemingly out to right the wrongs of last week’s loss. I’d say something about special teams, but the other worldly punting wasn’t really needed for JMU today, as the other phases of the game seemed to take care of everything. 

So that makes it 2 years in a row where JMU finished atop the Sun Belt East feasting on the Beach Chickens following Thanksgiving. While JMU will not be hosting the Sun Belt Championship like they would have had they not been in transition, they finished atop what is one of the most competitive divisions in college football, full stop. The competitiveness of the Sun Belt East and Sun Belt on the whole can be written about on its own, but when 12/14 teams in a conference qualify for a bowl game and the entire East division does so, that means you not only have balance, but you’re also winning your out of conference games. 

Which brings me to my next point. Yes, JMU will be going to a bowl game, even though other teams they needed to win made it hard on the hearts watching. An 11 win team would usually be looking for help in hopes of potential New Years 6 or playoff implications, but such is the reality of a team in their second year of transition. But, JMU will be going to the postseason, it’s just a matter of where and when.

Which brings me to what I have been feeling all year, which has been anxiety for many of the games, but pure joy for having the opportunity to have that anxiety. I have stated before that it is a blessing to be in a conference against teams that genuinely want to beat JMU and of course JMU feels the same way. Even eviscerating the Beach Chickens two years in a row feels different than doing the same thing to Rhode Island or Towson. It’s not meant to knock the CAA, but there’s just a different feeling when week in and week out there’s (mostly) equal banter coming from fan bases inside your own conference. It makes the whole season all the more fun.

So now we await to see where the Sun Belt teams will go for their bowls. The Championship game between Troy and Appalachian State should be great, as both teams are peaking at the right time. I can’t wait to see where JMU goes for the postseason, and I know a lot of other Sun Belt fans will enjoy rooting each other on, trying to finish the strong out of conference slate we had in the beginning of the season.

We may even stomach rooting for the Beach Chickens too. Go Dukes!