Georgia Southern Secures First Road Win
Georgia Southern earned their first road victory of the season Thursday, defeating Appalachian State 25-23 in the intense “Deeper Than Hate” rivalry game.
Offensive Highlights
Quarterback JC French IV threw for a season-high 352 yards, adding 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.”
Running back OJ Arnold contributed 105 rushing yards, including crucial runs late in the game that helped seal the victory for the Eagles.
Defensive Performance
Georgia Southern’s defense focused on stopping Rashod Dubinion, the Sun Belt’s leading rusher. They limited him to just 40 yards on 12 carries and allowed only 77 total rushing yards—their best defensive ground game performance of the season.
Special Teams Impact
Freshman kicker Tripp Bryant made a significant difference by converting four of five field goals from distances of 21, 26, 23, and 24 yards. His final field goal early in the fourth quarter extended the Eagles’ lead to 25-16, showcasing composure in a challenging away environment.
Season Outlook
With this win, Georgia Southern improves to 4-5 on the season, now just two victories away from securing another bowl game appearance.
Author’s Summary
Georgia Southern’s strong all-around performance, highlighted by JC French IV’s career-best passing and solid defense, powered their first road win and kept their bowl hopes alive.