STATESBORO – Wesley Kennedy III amassed 222 all-purpose yards and scored three touchdowns, while the Eagles forced three turnovers as Georgia Southern rolled New Mexico State, 41-7, on Homecoming on another wet and soggy Saturday afternoon in Paulson Stadium.

Eagles of the Game: Kennedy III ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns and scored a third on a 67-yard punt return in the third quarter. J.D. King rushed 19 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns, and Shai Werts ran for 67 yards. The Eagle defense had two interceptions, the second of which went for a 7-yard touchdown by Rashad Byrd, and recorded 13 tackles for loss in the game. GS held New Mexico State (0-8) to 155 yards through the first three quarters.  

Key Moments: Kennedy III put the Eagles (4-3) on the scoreboard midway through the first quarter with the longest play of the season. The junior broke a 71-yard run, cutting through the line, heading up the right sideline and cutting all the way back across the field before turning it up and scampering into the end zone.

Leading 14-7, the Eagles took over on the NMSU 47-yard line after Aggie punter Payton Theisler mishandled the snap. Kennedy III toted the rock the distance on the next play to give the Eagles a 21-7 cushion.

With the Eagles ahead 28-7, the GS defense forced a punt on the Aggies' first possession of the second half, and Kennedy III took it 67 yards down the left sideline for his third touchdown of the day. It was the first Georgia Southern punt return for touchdown since 2011, when Darrieon Robinson took one back 49 yards at Appalachian State.

Fun Stats: It was Georgia Southern's 24th straight win against a non-conference opponent at home. The Eagles scored on offense, defense and special teams for the second time this season; the first time came in a 35-32 loss at Minnesota in the third game of the year. The teams combined for one accepted penalty for five yards.

Key Scoring Plays:
NMSU – Jason Huntley 3-yard run with 8:48 left in the 1st, 0-7
GS – Wesley Kennedy III 71-yard run with 7:49 left in the 1st, 7-7
GS – J.D. King 2-yard run with 13:54 left in the 2nd, 14-7
GS – Kennedy III 47-yard run with 9:56 left in the 2nd, 21-7
GS – King 1-yard run with 5:19 left in the 2nd, 28-7
GS – Kennedy III 67-yard punt return with 13:34 left in the 3rd, 34-7
GS – Rashard Byrd 7-yard INT return with 4:42 left in the 3rd, 41-7

Next Up
The Eagles travel to Boone to take on longtime rival and 21st-ranked Appalachian State Thursday, Oct. 31. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPNU.