CSU - BIG SOUTH CHAMPS

[WinthropEagleFan]

In the craziest ending I've ever seen, CSU beats Coastal to win (well, technically share) the Big South Title...

[PAmedic]

JUST SAW THIS ON THE TICKER! WOW

NEVER thought that would happen. 34-27 CSU in 2OT!

there is probably mass suicide going on over at the CCU board. Report to follow!

[PAmedic]

(and after all the trashing we did of Chuck South this year- egg on our collective faces!)

[coastal89]

Stupid play calling and bad clock management cost us the game. We were up 24-10 with 2:50 to play in regulation. Oh well, atleast Vandy beat Tenn. to keep them out of the bowl picture so the day ain't all bad.

[WinthropEagleFan]

For those that didn't see, or haven't heard...here's how it went down:

Rather routine game, with Coastal slowly wearing down CSU in the second half, building a ten point lead in the 4th quarter, but CSU kicks a field goal and gets the ball back with about 6 minutes left, down by 7. However, Drafts throws an interception (only turnover of the game), and Coastal moves the ball down to CSU's 46 with 3 minutes left, facing a fourth down, and with CSU having only one time-out left. Coastal lines up to punt, but they pull a fake, and score as they run it in on the fake punt play to go up 2 touchdowns with 2:49 remaining. CSU gets the ball, and immediately get a huge pass play to get into the red zone, and end up scoring with a little under two minutes left. The extra point gets blocked, but Coastal was offsides, and they make it on the second chance to go down 7. The onside kick fails, and Coastal takes three knees, and CSU uses their last time-out. The clock is down to 10 seconds when Coastal calls a time-out as the play-clock runs out on 4th down, near midfield. Coastal lines up in a punt formation, with star WR Jerome Simpson lined up deep as the punter in order to run out the clock and/or take a safety. He takes the snap, and starts running back as the clock ticks down, but instead of going into the endzone, he runs out of bounds at the 3 yard line with 1.5 seconds left. CSU's offense comes on and scores on a TD pass to go to OT. The two teams trade FGs in the first OT, and then CSU scores a TD in the 2nd OT and holds Coastal for the win.

[PAmedic]

tried to follow your game thread after the fact, 89. Seems like no one saw that coming- but we at LU know your frustration all too well. Try enduring that all year- 3 or 4 games we SHOULD have won- lost in OT or just blew it in the 4th.

In fact, our CSU game was nearly identical. No one will be overlooking THEM next year.

[WinthropEagleFan]

And CSU only has a few seniors, with the biggest loss coming in losing defensive back/kick returner Shorter and their best defensive lineman along with a couple of offensive linemen. But Drafts, the whole receiving core (minus the starting tight-end) and running backs return, along with their pretty good linebacking corps. Gotta give Jay Mills alot of credit. Two years ago, they only had 20-something scholarships and couldn't compete with any of the Big South teams...two years later (after a tough start that saw them lose 42-0 to Presbyterian), they win the conference title.

[PAmedic]

the weird thing is this- there is almost a parity existing in BSOUTH FB where anyone can beat anyone else.

We could have just as easily beaten VMI, CCU and SHOULD HAVE beaten CSU.

CCU was clearly ahead of everyone for most of the year but had some bizarre performances in wins that were too close, a bad loss, and this last Liberty-style flame-out (pun intended!)

what does THAT say about our conf?

[Supa J]

We need a quarterback. 0-7 to end the game? He's gotten a pass for making stupid decisions and making horrible plays all year cause he pulls something out of his butt in the 4th quarter but finally his luck ran out. Maybe the kid who's a freshman can beat him out in the spring game this year. There's been a movement among people at Coastal to change QB's almost every game until the 4th quarter when some miracle happens.

[PAmedic]

there were some pretty confident posts over there until 2 min left, then general pandemonium on the thread- then nothing. Crickets chirping. Until WEF posted I had no idea what happened- couldn't find anything online either.

yikes- that'll stick with the team until next fall.

[WinthropEagleFan]

Yeah, there was a couple of posters on their board proclaiming themselves champs when they went up 14 with 3 minutes left, and I thought it was a bit premature, though I didn't expect to see what i ended up seeing...

And what an emotional season for CSU, with their most productive receiver from last season getting killed in a car accident over the summer...What a way for the program to respond.

[PAmedic]

my guess is the CCU guys will wanna avoid reading AGS for a while!

[coastal89]

Actually AGSers are pretty tame since most of the biggest jerks teams lost today too.

[ATrain]

The end of the world is here...CSU becomes the Big South Champs (ok...Co-Champs) and LU loses to Norfolk St. in the worst season in school history. ITS ALL OVER!!!

[Sly Fox]

I have to admit I kind of felt this result coming on. But to be honest, I was hoping CCU would win since it would be in the league's best interests. But congrats go out to Charleston Southern (they deserve Chuck South being put aside for football for awhile).

The good news is that it proves how tight this league is from top to bottom. We had every opportunity in the world to beat both of the co-champions this season. We're not that far way in the Big South ... yeah, I know that's not saying much.

[coastal89]

During the post game ceremonies they gave the game ball to Eddie Gadsons father and promised him he'd get a championship ring. That was pretty nice.

[bigsmooth]

i agree with sly....no more chuck south blasts! those guys deserved to win, and im really happy for them...hopefully that can be us next year! coastal kissed their playoff chances away, but still had a great year!

[PAmedic]

I actually feel much better after today- and putting the whole league season in perspective- we hung tough w/ nearly everyone (VMI, CCU, CSU- all very winnable games)

not to get crazy here, but with most of the team returning, and- I would expect- MAJOR improvements in coaching and administration, we could realistically contend next year.

[PAmedic]

not surprisingly-

Charleston Southern Signs Football Coach Jay Mills to Multi-Year Contract Extension

Courtesy: Charleston Southern
Release: 12/11/2005

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern University athletic director Hank Small has announced that head football coach Jay Mills has received a multi-year contract extension, this after Mills guided the Buccaneers to their best season ever and a share of the 2005 Big South Conference championship.

“It is obvious to everyone that coach Mills has done an outstanding job since taking over our football program three years ago and this extension is a reward for his efforts,” said Small. “Our program has shown steady and solid improvement each year under coach Mills and we look forward to having him continue as our coach well into the future.”

In three seasons as head coach, Mills has posted a 13-20 record, including a 7-4 mark in 2005. The Buccaneers won only one game in Mills’ first season, improving to five wins in 2004.

Mills recently was named the 2005 Big South Conference Coach of the Year after the Buccaneers went 3-1 in conference play, including a thrilling 34-27 double overtime win over Coastal Carolina in the final game of the regular season. CSU ended the season with five consecutive wins, a school-record.

“It is a privilege for me to continue I disagreeociation with Charleston Southern University,” said Mills. “I have the utmost respect for (President) Dr. Jairy Hunter and the entire Buccaneer family. Our coaching staff and squad members look forward to building upon the foundation that has been laid as we strive to equal CSU’s rich academic tradition on the gridiron.”

Hired in December of 2002, Mills came to CSU from his post as offensive coordinator at Harvard University. His Buccaneer teams have established numerous school records in the last two seasons.

The Buccaneers boast the 2005 Big South Offensive Player of the Year (quarterback Collin Drafts), the 2005 Big South Defensive Player of the Year (linebacker Jada Ross) and the 2005 Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year (defensive end Adam DeGraffenreid).

[bigsmooth]

i think CSU should have given this more thought and not do the same thing LU did. jay mills has improved his teams since he came there in 2003. however in his 3 seasons mills is 13-20 overall 4-8 in the big south. in those 13 wins are 6 wins against D-II Competition and two wins over I-AA non-scholarship competition. i agree he is probably due some type of reward, maybe a one yr. extension, but a quick extension like this has proven most times to end with a firing. who knows, maybe other schools were after him, and CSU reacted. i just hope that they did not make a mistake. if mills has another championship season or a 2nd place finish then it might be more warranted IMHO.

[Sly Fox]

Their scholarships have increased the past couple of years which probably helped vastly improve the team's results. Perhaps it was a little hasty for them to be ponying up. But they are so unfamiliar with winning they are in uncharted waters right now.