Vasko, Bennett lead way for Coastal Carolina in 45-37 victory over Old Dominion

CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Ethan Vasko threw for 367 yards and three touchdowns, Braydon Bennett scored three times and Coastal Carolina defeated Old Dominion 45-37 in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams on Saturday night.

The Chanticleers went ahead 35-17 in the third quarter after Bennett scored on a 4-yard run but Old Dominion fought back with two touchdowns.

First, Colton Joseph connected with Diante Vines for a 40-yard touchdown pass to make it 35-24 heading to the fourth quarter. Secondly, Devin Roche's 1-yard TD run finished off a 78-yard drive. The score was 35-30 after ODU failed on the two-point try.

Coastal regained a two-score lead when Bennett caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Vasko to go ahead 42-30 with about eight minutes remaining and Kade Hensley added a 46-yard field goal for a 45-30 lead.

Old Dominion scored to make it 45-37 with 29 seconds left but the Monarchs' onside kick was unsuccessful.

Vasko was 19-of-26 passing for the Chanticleers (4-1) and Cameron Wright caught four passes for 148 yards with a touchdown. Bennett had two touchdowns on the ground and one through the air to go with his 48 yards rushing.

Colton Joseph threw three TD passes and ran for a fourth touchdown for Old Dominion (1-4).

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The Associated Press