Coastal Carolina to face East Carolina in Birmingham Bowl
By The Associated Press - Dec. 04, 2022 05:19 PM EST
East Carolina quarterback Holton Ahlers (12) looks up at the scoreboard after failing to convert on fourth down during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
East Carolina quarterback Holton Ahlers (12) looks up at the scoreboard after failing to convert on fourth down during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Coastal Carolina running back Braydon Bennett (1) gets tackled by James Madison linebacker Jailin Walker (25) and safety Josh Sarratt (12) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)
East Carolina safety Jireh Wilson, center, celebrates with teammate Julius Wood after making an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
View All (3)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Coastal Carolina (9-3, Sun Belt) vs East Carolina (7-5, AAC), Dec. 27, 6:45 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Birmingham, Alabama.

TOP PLAYERS

Coastal Carolina: QB Grayson McCall is a three-time Sun Belt Conference player of the year. He returned for the league title game after missing two straight games with a foot injury.

East Carolina: RB Keaton Mitchell, a first-team All-AAC pick, has rushed for 1,325 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 7.4 yards per carry. Had 222 yards and four touchdowns against Temple.

NOTABLE

Coastal Carolina: Lost to Troy 45-26 in Sun Belt championship game. North Carolina State offensive coordinator Tim Beck was hired as coach on Sunday after Jamey Chadwell left for Liberty.

East Carolina: Has posted consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2013-14. Snapped a two-game losing streak with a 49-46 win over Temple, taking the lead on Holton Ahlers' 38-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Johnson with 1:11 left.

LAST TIME

First meeting.

BOWL HISTORY

Coastal Carolina: The Chanticleers are making their third consecutive bowl appearance, splitting two trips to the Cure Bowl. They moved up to FBS in 2017 and were eligible for bowl games starting the following season.

East Carolina: Third time in a Birmingham bowl game, 9-11 all-time in bowls. Last year's Military Bowl was canceled because of COVID-19 protocols within the Boston College program.

___

AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/mrxhe6f2