MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — The 2024 Myrtle Beach Bowl pits the UTSA Roadrunners against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers on December 23 at 11:00 AM (ET) at Brooks Stadium, promising to be a compelling final game for both teams.
The Roadrunners, coming off a close 29-24 loss to Army, enter the bowl game as 11.5-point favorites over their opponents, Coastal Carolina. This matchup is particularly meaningful as it showcases two teams hoping to finish the season on a high note after battling through diverse challenges this year. Both squads are 6-6, making their presence felt and achieving bowl eligibility but falling short of their preseason goals.
UTSA coach Jeff Traylor emphasized the unique nature of this matchup. "Everybody is talking about how unfair it is to play on the road for our reward for making a bowl, and I think it’s just an opportunity for us to kind of put [the criticism] to bed," he said. The Roadrunners are the only bowl-eligible team to finish the season with no wins on the road, having struggled with their road games significantly this year.
Despite their troubles, UTSA found success at home, going undefeated (6-0) at the Alamodome. Yet, their road failures were glaring. This included losses to Texas State, Rice, and Tulsa, which Traylor noted were painful setbacks. "We left some meat on the bone, in our opinion," he added, reflecting on missed opportunities throughout the season.
Conversely, Coastal Carolina arrives with momentum, having recently secured a commanding 48-27 victory over Georgia State. The Chanticleers, under coach Tim Beck, will play before their home crowd, adding pressure but also motivation. “Believe me, they’re very excited,” Beck remarked about his team’s anticipation for the game.
This year, Coastal Carolina has had to adjust due to significant player turnover, with over 31 departures to the transfer portal, including key positions such as quarterback. Their offense will likely be led by redshirt freshman Tad Hudson, thrusting him onto the national stage without the experience of his predecessors, Noah Kim and Ethan Vasko.
The absence of key players creates both challenges and opportunities. For UTSA, the loss of running backs Kevorian Barnes and Robert Henry due to transfers and injuries diminishes their running game, but the Roadrunners still maintain most of their roster intact. Owen McCown, who passed for over 3,000 yards this season, will lead their offense against Coastal Carolina's defense, which has struggled significantly this year, allowing 180.2 rushing yards per game.
One perspective from the Roadrunners' defensive lineman Brandon Brown emphasizes the potential for redemption. He sees the game as "an opportunity to go get it,” expressing the drive within the team to not only earn their first road win but also close the season positively.
UTSA’s performance has shifted since their rocky start of 3-5, with Traylor noting how the team has matured, developed continuity on the offensive line, and avoided emotional mistakes down the stretch. This development has led to strong performances as they aim for their fifth consecutive winning season.
Though neither team met their lofty preseason expectations, there remains much to play for. With the stakes raised, emotions are high, and both teams have the chance to leave their mark, especially the seniors who wish to finish on a victorious note. Safety Elliott Davison reflected on the growth they’ve experienced, saying, “The team has stuck together, growing closer through the adversity.”
Fans around the country can catch the action through ESPN or Fubo (which offers free trials), as everyone awaits the kickoff of what promises to be not just another game, but one filled with determination, team spirit, and the battle for pride and closure to the season.
