Todd TD and Bryant Field Goals Lift Georgia Southern Past App State

Georgia Southern defeated Appalachian State 19-3 on Saturday night in Statesboro, Ga. The Eagles’ victory relied on four field goals from Tripp Bryant and a rushing touchdown from Taeo Todd. The result secures the top spot in the Sun Belt Conference East Division for Georgia Southern, which improved to 4-4 overall and 3-1 in conference play.

The game began with a 25-yard field goal from Bryant with under a minute remaining in the second quarter. Todd extended the lead with a five-yard run at the end of a 12-play, 81-yard drive. That score gave Georgia Southern a 10-point advantage with 7:04 left in the first half. Appalachian State responded with a 33-yard field goal from James London as the first half expired, making the halftime score 10-3.

Appalachian State’s offense struggled to gain ground. The Mountaineers finished with only six rushing yards and 222 total yards. They converted just two of nine third-down attempts. Center Jayden Thomas left the game after taking a hard hit to the head from defensive lineman Eli Anders just before halftime. Thomas was carried off the field and did not return to play.

Bryant converted on 35, 34, and 48-yard field goal attempts during the second half. Max Johnson completed 36 of 47 passes for 318 yards for the Eagles. Alex Taylor caught 10 passes for 93 yards. Chance Gamble intercepted a pass in the end zone with 3:02 remaining to end the game. The Eagles have won four consecutive games against Appalachian State, though the Mountaineers still lead the all-time series 21-20-1.

Appalachian State enters its next game with a 5-3 record. The team is 5-0 in games played on Halloween. The Mountaineers will host Georgia State next Saturday. Georgia Southern will host Marshall at home next Saturday.