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.