The Georgia Southern Eagles (7-6) took on the Appalachian State Mountaineers (5-8) on Monday afternoon in the JLab Birmingham Bowl from Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama.
Georgia State controlled the game, leading 13-7 at halftime. They scored an additional 16 points, while the Mountaineers scored three points. The Eagles defeated the Mountaineers 29-10 to win the JLab Birmingham Bowl.
Georgia State’s offense had 413 yards (171 yards passing, 242 yards rushing), 22 first downs, and the team was penalized four times for 40 yards. Quarterback J.C. French IV completed 18 of 25 passes (72%) for 171 yards, one touchdown, and 12 carries for 38 yards.
Running back O.J. Arnold had 11 carries for 152 yards, and four catches for 11 yards, while Terrance Gibbs had eight carries for 32 yards, and one rushing touchdown, and Weston Bryan had four carries for 16 yards, and one rushing touchdown.
Wide receiver Marcus Sanders Jr. made five catches for 72 yards and one touchdown, while Dalen Cobb made five catches for 35 yards. Kicker Tripp Bryant made 3 of 3 field goals (100%) with a long of 36 yards, and made two extra points. The defense made 60 tackles, four tackles for loss, four interceptions, and two pass breakups.
Appalachian State’s offense had 379 yards (192 yards passing, 187 yards rushing), 21 first downs, and the team was penalized six times for 50 yards. Quarterback Matthew Wilson completed 12 of 22 passes (54%) for 128 yards, two interceptions, 12 carries for 110 yards, and one rushing touchdown.
Running back Matthew Wilson had 12 carries for 110 yards and one rushing touchdown. Wide receiver Dalton Stroman made three catches for 96 yards, while Jaquari Lewis made five catches for 35 yards.
Kicker Dominic De Freitas made 1 of 2 field goals (50%) with a long of 27 yards, and made one extra point. The defense made 66 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, and one pass breakup.
