Coastal Carolina's Deuce Bailey named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week

CONWAY, SC (CCU Athletics) - Coastal Carolina quarterback Deuce Bailey has been named the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. Bailey is the first Chanticleer to earn Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week honors since Ethan Vasko received the award following the opening week of the 2024 season. The Bowling Green, Ky., native earned the honor following a standout performance in Coastal Carolina's season opener at West Virginia on Saturday. Making his first start as a Chanticleer and just the second collegiate start of his career, the redshirt freshman completed 21-of-37 passes for 373 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Bailey led the Sun Belt in passing yards and total offense (392 yards) in Week 1, while tying for the conference lead in touchdown passes. His 373 passing yards matched the most by a Chanticleer quarterback since Coastal Carolina moved to the FBS level and tied for the fourth-most in a single game in program history. The redshirt freshman also engineered a 12-play, 99-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter, marking the eighth 99-yard touchdown drive in Coastal Carolina history and the Chanticleers' first on the road since 2021. After Coastal entered halftime trailing 24-0, Bailey threw all three of his touchdowns in the second half as the Chanticleers scored 24 points and pulled within one score with under a minute remaining in the fourth quarter. He connected with Clayton Coppock Jr. for touchdown passes of 34 and 37 yards and Colton Hinton for a 13-yard score. Monday's recognition continues a unique start to Bailey's collegiate career. His only previous collegiate start came as a true freshman at Missouri State in 2025. Following that performance, he was named Conference USA Freshman of the Week on Oct. 8, 2025. Bailey and the Chanticleers return to Conway for their 2026 home opener on Saturday, Sept. 12, against Fordham at Brooks Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.