STATESBORO, Ga. — Hope has returned to Statesboro as the Eagles secured a narrow 25-23 victory over their rivals, App State. This win keeps Georgia Southern’s prospects of reaching a fourth consecutive bowl game alive, with just two more victories needed to secure their spot.

“We’re steadily pushing towards postseason play,” said Head Coach Clay Helton. “Our immediate focus is on Coastal Carolina, a team that’s been performing exceptionally well lately.”

Last Thursday, the Eagles managed to clinch their second conference win of the season, despite a drop in momentum during the latter half of the game. After a strong start with 19 points in the first half, they only managed to add six more points after halftime.

“Anytime you rack up 494 yards of total offense but only score 25 points,” Helton remarked, “it prompts a review of your red zone plays. We had two penalties inside the ten-yard line that hindered two potential scoring drives.”

The Eagles face a challenging week ahead as they prepare to host Coastal Carolina, a formidable opponent currently holding second place in the East Division with an impressive 5-1 record.

Georgia Southern leads the all-time series with a 7-4 record. Additionally, they have performed well against Coastal at Paulson Stadium. They are 3-1 with the lone loss coming in 2021, when they lost 28-8.

“We shut down the quarterback and we have a pretty good game,” senior defensive lineman Davion Rhodes said, “but that’s with any team, but they tend to lean more to the pass.”

Coach Clay Helton also added junior running back David Mbadinga will miss the remainder of the season. Coach Helton said he requires knee surgery because of a piece of floating cartilage. 

“We have so many multiple backs and then we still have multiple different packages of the players that we can use,” junior offensive lineman Chandler Short said. “Our run game isn’t just with O.J. [Arnold], but with [J.C. French], too, as well. His rushing attack and [Weston Bryan] as well. So as badly as it’s going to hurt missing David, I think with [Terrance Gibbs] and O.J., we’re still going to be completely fine.”

At the time of his injury, Mbadinga had 198 yards on 49 carries and one touchdown. He is currently the third leading rusher on the team.

The game between Georgia Southern and Coastal Carolina kicks off from Paulsen on Saturday at 6 p.m.