In the heart of Birmingham, Alabama, the Georgia Southern Eagles are on the brink of potentially rewriting their own history at the much-anticipated JLAB Birmingham Bowl, taking place at Protective Stadium.

With the showdown less than a day away, the Eagles are set to make their fourth consecutive bowl appearance since Coach Clay Helton took the reins. However, despite their consistent presence, a victory in a bowl game has eluded them, as they currently stand 0-3 in such contests under Helton’s leadership.

Reflecting on the journey, Coach Helton expressed his pride and optimism. “It’s been a tremendous reward for our team,” he remarked. “The hard work they put in throughout November has earned them this chance to compete in what promises to be a thrilling match against Appalachian State, a familiar and formidable opponent. We are grateful to Birmingham and the JLab Birmingham Bowl for this opportunity, and we are eager to showcase our talents tomorrow.”

As excitement builds, the Birmingham Bowl hosted a final press conference, setting the stage for the clash with Appalachian State. Coach Helton was joined by key players, quarterback JC French and linebacker Brendan Harrington, as they faced the media.

“Reaching four straight bowls is a feat unprecedented in the history of Georgia Southern,” Helton highlighted. “These athletes are crafting a legacy, yet the elusive bowl championship remains our unfinished business. We acknowledge this openly, and it fuels the competitive spirit that drives us every day. We welcome the challenge that awaits us.”

This will be the second meeting between App State and Georgia Southern. On Nov. 6, Georgia Southern went on the road and defeated App State, 25-23. The Eagles handing its conference rival its fifth loss of the year, but it’s hard to beat a team twice.

“The JLab Birmingham Bowl,” Helton said. “In this great game and it’s App State. You don’t have to sell a lot. Plus, when you look at it, these guys have been doing things that haven’t been done before. Here’s another one. Look at the history of college football. I love the history of college football. No team in the history of college football has won a game in the regular season and played that team in a bowl game and won again.”

Monday will be bittersweet for all the Georgia Southern players putting on the blue and white for the final time. One of those players is linebacker Brendan Harrington, who transferred over from App State and is in his seventh year of college football. He was named honorable mention by the Sun Belt Conference.

“I’ve been a part of a lot of bowl games and you oftentimes get opponents that are from different regions, different conferences that you often won’t see unless it’s part of the non-conference schedule,” Harrington said. “So to be a part of a meaningful football game in the postseason in December a few days before New Year’s is something that you dream about as a kid.”

On the offensive side of the ball, the Eagles are hoping for another big game out of redshirt junior quarterback JC French. In the last meeting, French threw for 352 yards and a touchdown and then he added another 30 yards and a score with his legs.

“Definitely this year coming into it,” French said, “it was more focused on winning a football game and not having too much fun. That’s what I preach to the guys as well. Like we’re here to win a game against our rival. So that’s kind of what I’ve been preaching to them all week.”

The Birmingham Bowl kicks off Monday, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. Eastern time.