CONWAY, S.C. (Interstat) — The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers used a dominant defensive performance and a breakout rushing effort from quarterback Samari Collier to defeat the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks 23-8 on Saturday at Brooks Stadium.

The Chanticleers’ defense stifled the Warhawks’ offense for most of the contest, intercepting two passes and holding ULM scoreless until the third quarter. The win improved Coastal Carolina’s record to 2-3, while Louisiana-Monroe fell to 3-2.

Coastal Carolina set the tone early with a methodical opening drive that resulted in a 38-yard field goal from Kian Afrookhteh. The Chanticleers added another Afrookhteh field goal, this time from 26 yards, later in the first quarter to take a 6-0 lead.

The Chanticleers extended their advantage in the second quarter. After another Afrookhteh field goal made it 9-0, the Coastal Carolina defense forced a ULM punt. The ensuing drive was capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass from Samari Collier to tight end Brooks Johnson with just 12 seconds remaining in the half, sending the Chanticleers into the break with a 16-0 lead.

Collier, a quarterback from Desoto, Texas, was the engine of the Coastal Carolina offense, rushing for 86 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. His 39-yard scoring run in the third quarter provided the final margin for the Chanticleers. He also completed a touchdown pass.

Louisiana-Monroe finally found the end zone in the third quarter when quarterback Aidan Armenta connected with Jonathan Bibbs on a 27-yard touchdown pass. A successful two-point conversion brought the score to 16-8. Armenta, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, finished with 176 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Bibbs was a bright spot for the Warhawks, catching five passes for 79 yards and the lone touchdown. Running back Braylon McReynolds contributed 78 rushing yards on 14 attempts.

The Warhawks’ attempt at a comeback was stymied by the Chanticleers’ secondary, which came up with two critical interceptions in the fourth quarter. Defensive back Xamarion Gordon picked off an Armenta pass, and cornerback Avyonne Jones intercepted a throw from backup Hunter Herring to seal the victory.

Defensively for Coastal Carolina, linebacker Tray Brown led the team with six tackles. The Chanticleers’ defensive backfield was active throughout, with Dante Thomas, Avyonne Jones and Xamarion Gordon each recording four tackles.

For Louisiana-Monroe, safeties Lynard Harris and Andre Mack each recorded six tackles.

The game’s final score of 31 combined points fell well under the pregame over/under line of 45.5. Coastal Carolina, which had been installed as a 2.5-point favorite, covered the spread with the victory. The result defied the Interstat game simulator, which had projected a much higher-scoring affair with a Coastal Carolina win by a score of 42-28.

Coastal Carolina travels to face Appalachian State next Saturday. Louisiana-Monroe returns home to host Troy.