Georgia Southern Wins Thriller Against App State 25-23
Georgia Southern secured their first road victory of the season on Thursday, defeating Appalachian State 25-23 in their intense "Deeper Than Hate" rivalry game.
Offensive Highlights
Quarterback JC French IV threw for 352 yards, the highest of his season, delivering 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.
Defensive Effort
Georgia Southern faced a tough challenge containing Rashod Dubinion, the Sun Belt's leading rusher. The Eagles held him to just 40 yards on 12 carries and limited the team to only 77 rushing yards total—their best ground defense performance this season.
Special Teams Impact
Freshman kicker Tripp Bryant played a key role, converting four of five field goals from 21, 26, 23, and 24 yards. His final kick early in the fourth quarter extended Georgia Southern's lead to 25-16.
“A great performance based on the abundant opportunities he was tasked with on a cold night in hostile territory.”
Season Outlook
With this win, Georgia Southern improves to 4-5 on the season and stands just two victories away from another bowl game appearance.
Author’s Summary: Georgia Southern’s strong offense, stout defense, and clutch special teams secured a pivotal road win over App State, boosting their bowl game hopes.