Georgia Southern Secures First Road Win of Season
Georgia Southern earned their first road victory Thursday, narrowly defeating Appalachian State 25-23 in the intense “Deeper Than Hate” rivalry game.
Quarterback JC French IV Impresses
JC French IV threw for a season-high 352 yards, contributing two touchdowns—one passing and one rushing in the second half.
“The O-line did an amazing job today protecting me and the receivers making plays. I probably could have had 450 if I just put it on the money.”
Key Contributions from OJ Arnold
Running back OJ Arnold rushed for 105 yards, including crucial late runs that helped seal the victory for the Eagles.
Strong Defensive Performance
Georgia Southern’s defense focused on limiting Rashod Dubinion, the Sun Belt's leading rusher. The Eagles held him to just 40 yards on 12 carries and allowed only 77 total rushing yards, their best defensive showing on the ground this season.
Freshman Kicker Tripp Bryant's Impact
Freshman kicker Tripp Bryant made a significant impact by converting four out of five field goals from distances of 21, 26, 23, and 24 yards. His last field goal early in the fourth quarter increased the lead to 25-16, proving vital in a cold, hostile environment.
Season Outlook
With this victory, Georgia Southern improves to 4-5 and moves two wins closer to qualifying for another bowl game.
“A great performance based on the abundant opportunities he was tasked with on a cold night in hostile territory.”
Author's summary: Georgia Southern’s balanced offense, strong defense, and clutch kicking delivered their first road win, moving them closer to a bowl game appearance.