Coastal Carolina has feasted on opposing defenses this year, ranking fifth in scoring and eighth in yards per game heading into Saturday's game against Texas State. But after the Chanticleers' 35-21 win over Texas State, a man well known for feasting gave them a taste of their own medicine -- or, more aptly, pizza.
Nine-time Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest champion Joey Chestnut battled Coastal Carolina punter Charles Ouverson, offensive lineman Trey Carter and linebacker Silas Kelly in a pizza-eating contest after the game. And despite his competitors' inexperience, Chestnut didn't hold back the skills that made him a holder of 46 competitive eating world records.
The contest wasn't close, as Chestnut stuffed two slices of pizza into his mouth at a time while the Chanticleers football players struggled to eat the slices one-by-one. Chants of "U-S-A" and "Joey" reverberated throughout Coastal Carolina's locker room until the official called the contest and gave the 37-year-old his hard-earned title belt.
Coastal Carolina won where it mattered most, though: the gridiron. With Saturday's win, the Chanticleers -- who jumped from the FCS to the FBS before the 2017 season -- are now 9-2 and bowl eligible for the second time in as many years.
That's as much success in a limited time as Chestnut's world eating record of 74 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.