What we know about quarterback Ethan Vasko’s benching in loss to Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns

Coastal Carolina starting quarterback Ethan Vasko was benched during the second quarter of CCU’s game against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns.

Vasko was replaced by backup Noah Kim as the game was starting to get away from the Chants. Down 14-0 midway through the second quarter, the Chants had been contained on offense and were ineffective passing the ball.

Vasko was 3-10 passing for 10 yards , most of his completions coming on swing or screen passes. Coupled with several drops by CCU wide receivers, the Coastal passing game had been grounded.

Kim entered the game and threw an 11-yard touchdown to tight end Kendall Karr. Kim also played late in CCU’s loss to James Madison University, where Vasko struggled to connect with his receivers after an early game touchdown. Heading into the season, Vasko and Kim battled for the starting job, with Vasko winning.

Head Coach Tim Beck said after the game that he felt like putting Kim in the game would spark the offense.

“Ethan was struggling, and it felt like we needed to kickstart the offense a little bit,” Beck said. “We recruited Noah for a reason. He’s a good player, and to give him an opportunity to come in, and he did a really good job.”

Beck declined to say if the change was permanent, adding “we’ll see what happens.”

Kim said he was told to start warming up to go into the game late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter.

“Ethan has been great for us, and he will continue to be great for us,” Kim said. “Being a fifth year guy coming from a different school. I just want to come in here and insert my influence ... I’m going to do whatever the coaches need me to do.”

Kim finished the game going 16-25 for 182 yards passing and two touchdowns. While he proved more efficient, Kim had problems throwing, too. CCU had to settle for a field goal, tying the game 17 all in the third quarter after his red zone passes couldn’t find a receiver, and a penalty extinguished Coastal’s momentum. With less than six minutes left in the fourth quarter and Coastal down by three, Kim’s nearly threw an interception, but it was dropped.

Kim’s next throw on third down was also errant, as the pass fell to the teal turf far from the vicinity of a receiver. The Ragin’ Cajuns scored on the next drive the Chants lost the game 37-24 and fell to 4-3 on the season.

Coastal has lost three of its last four games after starting 2024 3-0.