Vasko accounts for 3 TDs to help Coastal Carolina cruise past Jacksonville State 55-27

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Ethan Vasko threw a pair of touchdown passes and ran for another score to lead Coastal Carolina to a 55-27 victory over Jacksonville State on Thursday night in the season opener for both teams.

Vasko connected with Tray Taylor on a 36-yard scoring throw to put the Chanticleers up for good, 10-3, early in the first quarter. Vasko’s 37-yarder to Jameson Tucker stretched the lead to 48-13 midway through the fourth quarter. Vasko completed 12 of 19 passes for 249 yards and added 39 yards on the ground that included a 4-yard touchdown run. Taylor finished with 98 yards receiving on three catches.

Ja’Vin Simpkins had 80 of the Chanticleers’ 294 yards rushing. Braydon Bennett added 60 yards and two touchdown runs.

Jacksonville State’s Tyler Huff threw for 173 yards with a 92-yard touchdown toss to Michael Pettway. Tre Stewart added a 38-yard scoring run for the Gamecocks with about a minute left in the game.

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