Coastal Carolina returns to Cure Bowl vs Northern Illinois
By The Associated Press - Dec. 05, 2021 05:13 PM EST
Coastal Carolina running back Braydon Bennett (1) runs for a 75-yard touchdown against Georgia State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Conway, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker, Jr.)
Coastal Carolina running back Braydon Bennett (1) runs for a 75-yard touchdown against Georgia State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Conway, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker, Jr.)
Coastal Carolina running back Shermari Jones (5) walks into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown against Georgia State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Conway, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker, Jr.)
CORRECTS ID TO ANTARIO BROWN NOT JAMES ESTER - Northern Illinois' Antario Brown rushes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kent State, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Northern Illinois quarterback Rocky Lombardi reacts towards the fans after scoring on a 1-yard run during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kent State, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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Coastal Carolina (10-2, Sun Belt) vs. Northern Illinois (9-4, Mid-American Conference), Dec. 17. 6 p.m. Eastern.

LOCATION: Orlando, Florida.

TOP PLAYERS

Coastal Carolina: QB Grayson McCall has completed nearly 73% of his attempts for 2,558 yards with 23 touchdowns and only three interceptions.

Northern Illinois: RB Clint Ratkovich ran for just 448 yards, but scored 12 touchdowns rushing and caught two scoring passes.

NOTABLE

Coastal Carolina: The Chanticleers were ranked for 11 consecutive weeks this season and set a Sun Belt Conference record by being ranked for 22 consecutive weeks dating to the 2020 season.

Northern Illinois: The Huskies, the second-youngest team in the Bowl Subdivision, won the MAC championship game over the weekend, 41-23 against Kent State.

LAST TIME

First meeting.

BOWL HISTORY

Coastal Carolina: The Chanticleers made their first bowl appearance at the 2020 Cure Bowl, losing 37-34 to No. 23 Liberty in overtime for their only loss of the season.

Northern Illinois: The Huskies are 4-9 in 13 prior bowl appearances.

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