Coastal Carolina Dominates Marshall with 44-27 Victory

Coastal Carolina secured a commanding 44-27 victory over Marshall in their Sun Belt Conference clash on October 30, 2025, at Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina. The win, powered by quarterback Samari Collier, marked the Chanticleers’ third straight triumph and further solidified their position in the conference race. The game’s narrative was defined by Collier’s dynamic performance. He completed 8 of 20 passes for 196 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception. His impact extended to the ground game, rushing for 75 yards and two more scores, consistently keeping Marshall’s defense off balance. This offensive outburst was crucial as the Chanticleers amassed 410 total yards, overcoming five turnovers and a strong start from the Thundering Herd. Marshall’s defense initially set the tone with a 51-yard interception return for a touchdown by Boogie Trotter. Yet, Coastal Carolina’s resilience quickly became apparent. After trading field goals, Collier’s 2-yard rushing touchdown and subsequent scoring drives—including a 69-yard touchdown pass to Malcolm Gillie—swung momentum. Running back Jo’Shon Barbie and receiver Bryson Graves also contributed touchdowns, and kicker Kian Afrookhteh was perfect, converting all extra points and four field goals. Marshall quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson managed 153 passing yards and a touchdown, but the Herd’s offense struggled to keep pace despite a 59-yard rushing touchdown from Dominic Knicely. Coastal Carolina’s defense, led by Xavier Gordon’s nine tackles, limited Marshall to 432 total yards and capitalized on five turnovers. Historically, this matchup has been closely contested. Coastal Carolina now leads the series 3-1 over the last four meetings, including their largest margin of victory—a 34-6 win in 2023. The average score in these contests sits at 30.25 points per game for the Chanticleers, highlighting their consistent offensive edge (Coastal Carolina University Athletics). Pre-game odds favored Marshall by as much as 6.5 points, but analysts noted the surge in Coastal Carolina’s offense, particularly after their upset win at Appalachian State. Many predicted a high-scoring affair, with some experts even suggesting the over on the 55.5-point total line. Ultimately, Coastal Carolina’s offense delivered, outpacing expectations and exploiting Marshall’s recent defensive struggles (allowing an average of 35.8 points per game in their last four). With this win, Coastal Carolina improved to 5-3 (4-1 Sun Belt), while Marshall fell to 4-4 (2-2 Sun Belt). The Chanticleers’ victory not only strengthens their postseason prospects but also adds another chapter to their growing rivalry with the Thundering Herd. For further analysis and expert picks, visit Sportsbook Wire and explore detailed play-by-play breakdowns on ESPN.