PHOTO GALLERY
STATESBORO – Shai Werts rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown, and Georgia Southern forced five Appalachian State turnovers to defeat the 25th-ranked Mountaineers 34-14 in Sun Belt football action Thursday night in Allen E. Paulson Stadium.
It was the seventh career 100-yard rushing game for Werts and the first time Georgia Southern has hosted a ranked FBS opponent in Paulson Stadium.
Key Moment: Leading 17-7, the Eagles (7-1, 4-0) forced a 3-and-out on the Mountaineers' (5-2, 3-1) opening drive of the second half.
Wesley Fields keyed an 85-yard Eagle scoring drive with a 32-yard pick up on third down, and Werts went 47 yards on the ground two plays later to give GS a 24-7 cushion 4:55 into the second half.
GS Play of the Game: Werts found a wide-open
Darion Anderson for a 57-yard touchdown pass 23 seconds into the second quarter.
Darrell Baker Jr. set up the quick-strike score by intercepting a Peyton Derrick pass at the goal line and returning it 28 yards. The Mountaineers were also flagged for a face mask to add 15 more to the end of the play.
Key Stats: The Eagles forced five turnovers, bringing their FBS leading turnover margin to +19, and scored 24 points off of the miscues. GS has forced a turnover in 11 straight games, dating back to last season.
GS Players of the Game: Werts totaled 186 yards in the contest and accounted for two touchdowns, and Fields rushed for 98 yards and a pair of scores.
Kindle Vildor had two interceptions in the second half, the sixth and seventh of his career.
Key Scoring Plays:
Werts connects with Anderson for a 57-yard touchdown pass 23 seconds into the second quarter. GS 7-0
Marc Williams takes it in from the 1-yard line with 12:11 left in the second quarter. Tied 7-7
An App turnover on a punt sets up Fields' 10-yard TD run with 9:53 left in the second quarter. GS 14-7
Tyler Bass tacks on a field goal with 3:34 left in the half. GS 17-7
Werts flies down the sideline for a 47-yard touchdown run 4:55 into the third quarter. GS 24-7
Bass knocks through a 43-yard field goal with 1:34 left in the third. GS 27-7
Fields put the game away with an 18-yard touchdown run with 3:28 to go. 34-7
Up Next: The Eagles travel to ULM for a Sun Belt meeting Saturday, Nov. 3. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on ESPN3.
