The October 11, 2025 matchup between the UL Monroe Warhawks and the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at Brooks Stadium is a meeting of two Sun Belt programs searching for rhythm and consistency as midseason approaches. Both teams have shown flashes of competence but have yet to put together a complete, four-quarter performance, making this an intriguing matchup between a run-heavy ULM offense and a Coastal Carolina squad struggling to rediscover its offensive identity under head coach Tim Beck. UL Monroe enters at 3–2, having leaned heavily on its ground game to grind out wins and control tempo. The Warhawks have rushed for more than 900 yards through five games, averaging 5.7 yards per carry and establishing a clear identity as a physical, possession-based offense. Their attack is spearheaded by running backs Isaiah Woullard and Malik Jackson, both capable of breaking tackles and extending drives behind a surprisingly sturdy offensive line that has created consistent push at the line of scrimmage. Quarterback Jiya Wright has provided stability but limited explosiveness, serving as more of a game manager than a gunslinger. ULM’s passing attack has been conservative, using short, safe throws and play-action looks to complement their run game, but they’ll need more vertical threats if they hope to stress a Coastal defense that’s vulnerable against the pass. Defensively, ULM’s unit has been inconsistent, allowing nearly 29 points per game and often bending without completely breaking.

Their biggest issue has been tackling in space and maintaining gap integrity late in games, where fatigue tends to set in. Coastal Carolina, at 2–3, has had its own share of struggles. The Chanticleers’ offense, once a Sun Belt powerhouse under former coach Jamey Chadwell, has lost much of its rhythm in Tim Beck’s system. Averaging just 14.5 points and 4.4 yards per play, Coastal’s attack has been stagnant, with quarterback Jarrett Guest (or possibly Ethan Vasko, depending on injury updates) struggling to sustain drives and maintain consistency. The Chanticleers’ offensive line has given up frequent pressures, forcing errant throws and disrupting rhythm. Still, there’s potential — running back Reese White remains an effective dual-threat option out of the backfield, and wide receiver Jared Brown is capable of explosive plays when given space. Coastal’s defense, though far from dominant, has been the steadier side of the ball, allowing 26.5 points per game but performing admirably in short-field situations and third-down stops. Led by linebacker JT Killen and defensive lineman Josaiah Stewart, the Chanticleers’ front has been able to create penetration and disrupt opponents’ rhythm, even as the secondary remains inconsistent. In this game, the battle in the trenches will dictate the outcome. UL Monroe will try to wear down Coastal with its physical run game, aiming to control time of possession and keep the game low-scoring, while Coastal will look to speed things up with tempo and exploit ULM’s secondary through play-action and quick reads. Special teams could play an outsized role as both offenses have struggled to finish drives, and field position will likely be critical. Expect a tight contest that hinges on turnovers, red-zone execution, and which quarterback avoids costly mistakes. If ULM’s ground game dominates and their defense limits big plays, the Warhawks have a strong chance to steal one on the road. However, if Coastal finds early rhythm offensively and uses its home crowd to generate energy, the Chanticleers could claw their way to a much-needed win in what’s shaping up to be a gritty Sun Belt battle.

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