As usual, Troy and Coastal Carolina played into the final minute with the outcome in doubt.
As has been the case for the past three years, the No. 24 Chanticleers prevailed 35-28 Thursday night on ESPN2.
Coastal Carolina held a precarious late lead behind an ailing but productive quarterback Grayson McCall and a quick-strike offense that scored three touchdowns on plays covering 50 yards or longer. But an audacious fake punt on fourth-and-4 from its own 31-yard allowed the Chanticleers to hold off Troy, a 17-point underdog.
"The explosive plays were the difference," Troy head coach Chip Lindsey said.