Coastal Carolina football hasn't exactly had the season fans in Conway were dreaming of back in August. Honestly, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. If you’re looking for the score of Coastal Carolina football game from their most recent outing, the number you need is 23–14.
That was the final in the Independence Bowl on December 30, 2025, where the Chanticleers fell to Louisiana Tech. It capped off a 6–7 season that felt a lot longer than thirteen games.
What Actually Happened in the Independence Bowl?
Basically, it was a defensive slog. Coastal Carolina struggled to find any real rhythm in Shreveport. The offense, which has seen better days, only managed 14 points. Louisiana Tech didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard either, but 23 points was more than enough to get the job done.
It was a tough pill to swallow for a program that’s grown used to winning seasons and bowl rings. You’ve probably noticed the vibe around Brooks Stadium has been a little different lately. This loss wasn't just another tally in the "L" column; it was the final chapter for head coach Tim Beck.
The university decided to move on from Beck on November 30, right after a brutal 59–10 loss to James Madison. Jeremiah Johnson stepped in as the interim for the bowl game, but even a fresh voice on the sidelines couldn't spark enough magic to overcome the Bulldogs.
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A Quick Look at the 2025 Scoreboard
To really understand the score of Coastal Carolina football game trends, you have to look at the back half of the season. It wasn't pretty. After a decent stretch in October where they beat Appalachian State (45–37) and Marshall (44–27), the wheels kinda fell off.
- at South Carolina: A 51–7 blowout that wasn't as close as the score suggests.
- vs. James Madison: The 59–10 regular-season finale that effectively ended the Beck era.
- at Georgia Southern: A high-scoring 45–40 Heartbreaker.
The disparity is wild. One week they’re putting up 45 points in a win, and a few weeks later they’re struggling to find the end zone against Power Four opponents or top-tier Sun Belt rivals.
The Offensive Identity Crisis
So, why was the score of Coastal Carolina football game so low in the bowl?
Running back Ja'Vin Simpkins did what he could, finishing the season with 591 rushing yards, but the passing game never really found its footing. Tad Hudson and Samari Collier both saw time under center, yet neither could consistently move the chains when the pressure was on.
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In the Independence Bowl specifically, Louisiana Tech’s front seven lived in the Coastal backfield. It’s hard to score points when your quarterback is running for his life or throwing into tight windows because the run game is stuffed.
The defense, led by guys like Shane Bruce, kept them in games for a while, but you can't ask a defense to hold everyone under 20 points in modern college football. Not when the offense is stalling out.
Why the James Madison Score Mattered Most
If you ask any die-hard Teal Nation fan which score hurt the most, it wasn't the bowl game. It was that 59–10 shellacking by JMU.
That game was senior day. It was at home. It was supposed to be a statement. Instead, it was a 49-point disaster that made the administration realize they couldn't stay the course. James Madison is a powerhouse right now, sure, but Coastal shouldn't be losing by fifty at home.
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The Ryan Beard Era Begins
If you're checking the score of Coastal Carolina football game because you're worried about the future, there is a silver lining. The school didn't waste time. On December 11, 2025, they hired Ryan Beard to take over the program.
Beard comes in with the task of rebuilding a culture that felt a little fractured toward the end of 2025. Fans are hoping his arrival brings back that "Chants Up" energy that Jamey Chadwell had rolling a few years back.
It’s going to be a long off-season in Conway. The transfer portal is always a factor, and with a coaching change, you’re bound to see some roster turnover. But the goal is simple: get back to a place where the score of Coastal Carolina football game is consistently higher than the opponent’s.
Actionable Insights for the Off-Season
- Watch the Portal: Keep an eye on who Ryan Beard brings in at quarterback. The 2025 scores show a desperate need for a playmaker who can stabilize the passing attack.
- Check the 2026 Schedule: As soon as the Sun Belt drops the official dates, look at the early non-conference games. Those will be the first real litmus test for the new regime.
- Attend the Spring Game: If you're local, get out to Brooks Stadium in April. It’s the best way to see the new defensive schemes and if the offense looks any more explosive than it did in that 14-point bowl performance.
Coastal Carolina has the facilities and the recruiting base to be a top-tier G5 program. The 2025 season was a bump in the road, but in college football, things change fast. One good recruiting class and a fresh coaching philosophy can turn those 14-point outings back into 40-point firework shows.