By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Coastal Carolina beats Georgia Southern 28-14.

1. Nationally-ranked Coastal Carolina continues to impress. Without injured quarterback Grayson McCall, the Chanticleers scored 14 points in the fourth quarter to pull away from a very good Georgia Southern team and further establish themselves as a leading Sun Belt contender. Veteran quarterback Fred Payton threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, including the go-ahead score to star running back C.J. Marable on a 24-yard connection. D’Jordan Strong had two interceptions. Overall, Coastal Carolina outgained the Eagles by 164 yards.

2. Coastal Carolina’s defense was tremendous in the second half. In the third and fourth quarters, the Chanticleers allowed a total of 59 yards, forced four punts, a turnover on downs and recorded an interception. It was a dominant stretch of defensive football as the Chanticleers ultimately pulled away.

3. Payton deserves a lot of credit for coming in and helping lead Coastal Carolina to victory. As rushing yards were hard to come by, Payton was able to move the football through the air, averaging nine yards per attempt. Though Payton did throw two interceptions, big plays made by him in the passing game were critical ones in the win. Midway through the first quarter he opened the scoring with a 72-yard touchdown pass to Sam Denmark. Payton also threw a short touchdown pass to Kameron Brown. The aforementioned conversion to Marable was a signature one.

4. Playmaker Jaivon Heiligh had a showcase, catching five passes for 104 yards and also returning a punt 40 yards. His big plays were helped the the Chanticleers swing and maintain momentum.

5. Speaking of punt returns, Wesley Kennedy’s highlight reel 60-yard touchdown at the end of the first quarter for Georgia Southern was remarkable. The Eagles were unable to get going offensively, with just 218 total yards and 12 first downs.