
The Eagles posted their first shutout since 2017.
Georgia Southern Shuts Out UMass 41-0
10/17/2020 7:27:00 PM | Football
The Eagles are slated to return to conference action next Saturday at Coastal Carolina.
STATESBORO – Shai Werts threw for three touchdowns and ran for another to lead Georgia Southern to a 41-0 football win over UMass Saturday afternoon in Paulson Stadium.
Eagles of the Game: Werts completed 11 of 16 passes for 128 yards and rushed 13 times for 76 yards. Wesley Kennedy III ran six times for 106 yards and a touchdown, and Malik Murray caught four passes for 68 yards and a score. Rashad Byrd finished with 10 tackles and a tackle for loss, and Derrick Canteen collected three tackles and an interception.
Key Moments: On the Eagles' fifth play from scrimmage, Werts found Murray for a 47-yard touchdown pass as Georgia Southern (3-1) scored touchdowns on four of its first five possessions of the contest.
With the Eagles ahead 31-0, Kennedy III took the pitch on the reverse action and ran 56 yards to the end zone to help put the game away.
Stats: Werts threw three touchdowns for the fourth time in his career, and GS rushed for 308 yards. The Eagles held UMass (0-1) to 191 yards of offense for the game.
Notes: It was the first game of the season for the Minutemen. It was the Eagles' first shutout since a 52-0 win over South Alabama in 2017.
Scoring Plays:
GS – Werts 47-yard TD pass to Malik Murray – 12:18 1st, 7-0
GS – Werts 8-yard TD pass to Beau Johnson – 8:14 1st, 14-0
GS – Werts 10-yard TD pass to Beau Johnson – 9:12 2nd, 21-0
GS – Wets 4-yard TD run – 1:39 2nd, 28-0
GS – Alex Raynor 27-yard field goal – 13:08 3rd, 31-0
Up Next: The Eagles travel to Coastal Carolina for a Sun Belt Conference showdown against the Chanticleers next Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon on ESPNU.
Eagles of the Game: Werts completed 11 of 16 passes for 128 yards and rushed 13 times for 76 yards. Wesley Kennedy III ran six times for 106 yards and a touchdown, and Malik Murray caught four passes for 68 yards and a score. Rashad Byrd finished with 10 tackles and a tackle for loss, and Derrick Canteen collected three tackles and an interception.
Key Moments: On the Eagles' fifth play from scrimmage, Werts found Murray for a 47-yard touchdown pass as Georgia Southern (3-1) scored touchdowns on four of its first five possessions of the contest.
With the Eagles ahead 31-0, Kennedy III took the pitch on the reverse action and ran 56 yards to the end zone to help put the game away.
Stats: Werts threw three touchdowns for the fourth time in his career, and GS rushed for 308 yards. The Eagles held UMass (0-1) to 191 yards of offense for the game.
Notes: It was the first game of the season for the Minutemen. It was the Eagles' first shutout since a 52-0 win over South Alabama in 2017.
Scoring Plays:
GS – Werts 47-yard TD pass to Malik Murray – 12:18 1st, 7-0
GS – Werts 8-yard TD pass to Beau Johnson – 8:14 1st, 14-0
GS – Werts 10-yard TD pass to Beau Johnson – 9:12 2nd, 21-0
GS – Wets 4-yard TD run – 1:39 2nd, 28-0
GS – Alex Raynor 27-yard field goal – 13:08 3rd, 31-0
Up Next: The Eagles travel to Coastal Carolina for a Sun Belt Conference showdown against the Chanticleers next Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon on ESPNU.
Team Stats
UMASS
GS
Total Yards
191
436
Pass Yards
80
127
Rushing Yards
111
309
Penalty Yards
29
40
1st Downs
10
20
3rd Downs
2
5
4th Downs
3
0
TOP
23:05
36:55
1st Quarter

UMASS 0, GS 7
GS - M. Murray 47 yd pass from S. Werts (A. Raynor kick) 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:42

UMASS 0, GS 14
GS - B. Johnson 8 yd pass from S. Werts (A. Raynor kick) 7 plays, 39 yards, TOP 1:57
2nd Quarter

UMASS 0, GS 21
GS - B. Johnson 10 yd pass from S. Werts (A. Raynor kick) 7 plays, 50 yards, TOP 4:13

UMASS 0, GS 28
GS - S. Werts 4 yd run (A. Raynor kick), 8 plays, 60 yards, TOP 5:01
3rd Quarter

UMASS 0, GS 31
GS - A. Raynor 27 yd field goal 5 plays, 10 yards, TOP 1:25

UMASS 0, GS 38
GS - W. Kennedy 56 yd run (A. Raynor kick), 2 plays, 60 yards, TOP 0:55
4th Quarter

UMASS 0, GS 41
GS - A. Raynor 31 yd field goal 4 plays, 8 yards, TOP 2:18
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Clay Helton Media Availability: National Signing Day (12/3/25)
Wednesday, December 03
Georgia Southern vs. Marshall Highlights (11/29/25)
Sunday, November 30
Hail Southern Live! (11-24-2025)
Tuesday, November 25
The GATA Zone: Men's Soccer Post-Season
Thursday, November 20


























