Georgia Southern Tops App State 25-23

Georgia Southern earned their first road victory of the season on Thursday, edging App State 25-23 in their intense "Deeper Than Hate" rivalry matchup.

Offensive Highlights

Quarterback JC French IV threw for a season-high 352 yards, delivering two touchdowns—one passing and another 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 to help secure the win for the Eagles.

Defensive Efforts

The defense faced a tough challenge against Rashod Dubinion, the Sun Belt's leading rusher, but successfully limited him to just 40 yards on 12 carries. Overall, the Eagles allowed only 77 rushing yards, their best performance against the run this season.

Special Teams Impact

Freshman kicker Tripp Bryant made a significant difference, successfully converting four of five field goals from 21, 26, 23, and 24 yards. His final kick early in the fourth quarter extended the Eagles' lead to 25-16, sealing the victory on a cold and hostile night.

Season Outlook

With this win, Georgia Southern improves to 4-5 on the season and is now two victories away from qualifying for another bowl game.

“A great performance based on the abundant opportunities he was tasked with on a cold night in hostile territory.”

Summary

Georgia Southern's balanced attack and disciplined defense powered their thrilling 25-23 road win over App State, marking a key step toward bowl eligibility.

WTOC — 2025-11-07