Georgia Southern Tops App State 25-23
Georgia Southern secured their first road victory of the season on Thursday, defeating Appalachian State 25-23 in their heated "Deeper Than Hate" rivalry matchup. The win pushed the Eagles to a 4-5 record, bringing them within two games of bowl eligibility.
Offensive Highlights
Quarterback JC French IV delivered his best performance of the year, throwing for 352 yards with two total touchdowns — one passing and one rushing in the second half. He credited his teammates for the offensive success.
“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 added 105 rushing yards, breaking off several key runs late in the game to seal the victory for the Eagles.
Defensive Dominance
Georgia Southern’s defense controlled the ground game, holding Sun Belt rushing leader Rashod Dubinion to just 40 yards on 12 carries. The Eagles limited App State to only 77 total rushing yards — their best defensive performance against the run this year.
Kicker’s Impact
Freshman kicker Tripp Bryant proved instrumental, making four of five field goal attempts from 21, 26, 23, and 24 yards. His final field goal early in the fourth quarter extended the Eagles’ lead to 25-16, cementing their edge on a cold evening in Boone.
Author’s Summary
Georgia Southern’s balanced attack, strong defense, and reliable kicking lifted them past Appalachian State in their intense road rivalry, marking a crucial late-season turnaround.