BOONE, N.C. – App State scored 24 points in the second quarter to spark a rally and down Georgia Southern, 55-27, Saturday afternoon at Kidd Brewer Stadium to wrap up the regular season.
The Eagles got out to a quick start in the opening drive, going 75 yards on six plays. OJ Arnold punched the ball in from 3 yards out to give the Eagles an early 7-0 lead. App State cut into the lead on a 24-yard field goal to make it 7-3.
Georgia Southern extended its lead 14-3 at the end of the first quarter when JC French completed his first career touchdown pass for 25 yards to Khaleb Hood.
The Mountaineers took their first lead of the game with two touchdowns in 16 seconds with a 27-yard touchdown reception and a 13-yard touchdown reception one play later after GS fumbled on the kickoff.
The Eagles would battle back to tie things up late in the second quarter as Michael Lantz drilled a 38-yard field goal, but App State would take a 27-17 lead into the break with two late scores. The Mountaineers turned three first-half turnovers by the Eagles into 13 points to help turn the tide in their favor.
One play after TJ Smith recorded his fourth career interception to stop an App State drive deep in GS territory, Brin threw his third interception of the game. The Mountaineers then cashed in on the Eagles' fourth turnover with a quick touchdown to double up the score and make things difficult for the visitors.
DeAndre Buchannon provided a bright spot in the second half, returning a kickoff 100 yards to tie the school record for the longest return and marking the first kickoff return since 2019. Lantz added to his record total for field goals in a season with a 34-yarder midway through the fourth quarter.
With his fourth reception of the game, Hood set the single-season reception record with 88 catches, surpassing his own record of 87 set last season.
Up Next
Georgia Southern (6-6) awaits its bowl destination and announcement on Dec. 3.
