The Coastal Carolina University football team has a date with UCLA, and we’re not talking about Upper Conway/Lower Aynor.
According to multiple media reports, the Chanticleers have scheduled a trip to Pasadena, CA, to play the Bruins at the famed Rose Bowl. But before you pack your bags and book your plane tickets, the game is tentatively set for Sept. 16, 2023.
The Carolina Forest Chronicle, citing Freedom Of Information requests, other media reports and CCU athletics director Mike Cawood himself, was the first local media outlet to release details about the deal, which will pay Coastal $1.1 million.
The Chants are in the beginning stages of a jump from the FCS to the FBS, which will open up more opportunities to schedule guarantee games with big-name programs across the country. Coastal will become a full-fledged member of the FBS in 2018.
Coastal has played FBS programs before, including trips to Clemson, South Carolina, Georgia, Penn State, and West Virginia. But CCU coach Joe Moglia ended the practice of scheduling guarantee games and the Chants haven’t played an FBS foe since 2013.
The University of Massachusetts also announced a recent deal with Coastal for a home-and-away series. The Chants will play host to the Minutemen in the 2017 season opener at Brooks Stadium before traveling to Amherst for an Oct. 28 game in 2018.
– Photo courtesy of CCU Athletics