Eagles seek reset at App State as rivalry shifts to Thursday night in Boone
After an 11-day break, Georgia Southern travels to Boone to face long-time rival Appalachian State on Thursday night. The Eagles are striving to regain their rhythm after slipping out of Sun Belt title contention and facing uncertainty about their bowl eligibility.
“My job is to win football games,” head coach Clay Helton said. “There’s a billion excuses that can be made, but I’m not an excuse maker.”
The game kicks off at Kidd Brewer Stadium, where Georgia Southern holds a 5-12 all-time record. The Eagles defeated App State 29-20 last season in Statesboro. This year's matchup marks the first time since 2019 that the rivalry won’t close the regular season.
Key players to watch
- JC French IV – the quarterback has thrown a touchdown in 11 consecutive games and has 19 total scores this season (14 passing, 5 rushing).
- Camden Brown – the senior receiver has rewritten the record books with nine touchdown receptions, setting a new school mark and ranking fifth nationally.
- Brendan Harrington – the defensive captain and linebacker returns to Boone after six seasons with App State, where he amassed 167 tackles in 50 games.
Helton stands 2-1 against Appalachian State but has yet to win at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Georgia Southern will maintain the same offensive line for the seventh consecutive game, hoping consistency can fuel a much-needed rebound.
Author’s summary
The Eagles head to Boone seeking redemption against App State after an uneven season, counting on Helton’s focus and record-setting talent to spark a turnaround.