By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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The Chanticleers are still one of college football’s best stories and still one of college football’s best teams.

In 2020, Coastal Carolina, undefeated in the regular season, was one of the stories of the year in college football. Milestones were reached and memories were made. The process continues. If you didn’t pay as much attention the Chanticleers in 2021, you missed out. This season has come with more wins, more swag, more mullets and, after a thrilling 47-41 Cure Bowl triumph over Northern Illinois, even more history. Friday night in Orlando was Coastal Carolina’s first bowl victory ever.

Impressively, the end result is another eleven-win season for the Chanticleers, a resume that should finish with a ranking in the national polls. Coastal Carolina remains one of college football’s most consistently successful teams; the Chanticleers are now a remarkable 23-3 in their last 26 contests.

The last game of this season proved to be a grand finale for Coastal Carolina against MAC-Champion Northern Illinois. In a showdown that came down to the final play, Coastal Carolina held onto a six-point victory with the contest ending at the Chanticleers’ 4-yard line. In a matchup with 1,030 combined total yards, Coastal Carolina was able to hold the Huskies scoreless on their final three drives. The Chanticleers, after Northern Illinois took an 8-point lead on a fourth quarter field goal, promptly answered with the night’s final 14 points.

Quite notably, it was another signature performance from quarterback Grayson McCall, who earned game MVP honors by completing 23-of-30 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Braydon Bennett, with 108 yards and two scores rushing and the game-winning 34-yard touchdown catch, also starred. So did tight end Isaiah Likely, with seven receptions for 96 yards and two scores. Receiver Javon Heiligh, adding 94 more yards, set a new school record with 1,128 yards for the year.

Overall, Coastal Carolina averaged 10.5 yards per pass, 8.0 yards per rush, converted 50% of all third down tries and did not turn the ball over. The 9.5 yards per play ties for the fifth-best mark ever at Coastal Carolina.

McCall finishes his redshirt sophomore season 198-of-271 passing for 3,188 yards, 31 touchdowns and three interceptions, good for a passer rating of 207.41, a new-single season FBS record. One year after Alabama’s Mac Jones reset the mark at 203.06, McCall now has that history. The start to his career has been an all-time one; Friday night was another exclamation point to another statement season. Add a famed record to McCall’s already-storied resume.

Coastal Carolina hasn’t gone anywhere — except right to the media guide with more memoirs to print. More pages are already needed. The Chanticleers are still one of college football’s best stories and still one of college football’s best teams. After yet another fun and compelling win, Coastal Carolina remains part of the national narrative. Make no mistake about it; the Chancitleers are here to stay.

A program on the Grand Strand less than 20 years old is seemingly adding new traditions with each and every new tide. Their latest game is their latest example.