Saturday, December 5
Statesboro, GA
6:00 PM
Georgia Southern University
7-4
20
vs
3
Florida Atlantic
5-2
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
FAU
0
0
3
0
3
GS
0
10
0
10
20
Khaleb Hood returns a punt 49 yards for a touchdown.
Defense Leads the Eagles in 20-3 Football Win over FAU
12/5/2020 9:26:00 PM | Football
Georgia Southern is slated to host Appalachian State in its final regular-season game next Saturday.
STATESBORO – Georgia Southern forced four turnovers and held FAU without a touchdown to earn a 20-3 football win over the Owls Saturday night in Paulson Stadium.
After an FAU field goal trimmed the margin to 10-3 late in the third quarter, the Eagles (7-4) burned 4:39 off the clock in a nine-play, 78-yard drive that culminated in a 2-yard Logan Wright touchdown run and a 17-3 GS cushion.
The Eagle defense forced a turnover on downs at the FAU 44-yard line on the Owls' next possession, and the offense took another 5:36 off the clock before Alex Raynor gave GS a 20-3 advantage with a 37-yard field goal with 4:51 remaining. FAU (5-2) drove down to the GS 14-yard line, but Raymond Johnson III got pressure on quarterback Nick Tronti on 4th-and-6, and his pass sailed out of the back of the end zone.
Eagles of the Game: Wright finished with 122 total yards and a rushing touchdown, and Justin Tomlin rushed for 78 yards on 20 carries. Justin Birdsong and Derrick Canteen posted interceptions, and Birdsong tallied six tackles. Gerald Green rushed for 74 yards on 16 carries.
Key Moments:
The Eagles got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter when Khaleb Hood took a punt back 49 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
A turnover gave the Eagles good field position to set up their second score. Rashad Byrd put a good hit on scrambling FAU quarterback Javion Posey with his helmet right on the ball. The ball popped free, where it bounced around the turf before Reid Dedman recovered it at the Owl 47-yard line. The Eagles drove down to the FAU 13-yard line, and Raynor made a 30-yard field goal for a 10-0 GS lead with 3:30 to play in the first half.
Key Stats: The Eagles were 3 for 4 in the Red Zone and committed zero turnovers in the game while forcing four FAU turnovers.
Notes: Georgia Southern has won 27 straight home games against non-conference opponents dating back to a Nov. 18, 2006, overtime loss to Central Arkansas that ended the season.
Scoring Plays:
GS –Hood 49-yard punt return – 13:29 2nd, 7-0
GS – Raynor 30-yard FG – 3:30 2nd, 10-0
FAU – Vladimir Rivas 26-yard FG – 2:26 3rd, 10-3
GS – Wright 2-yard TD run – 12:39 4th, 17-3
GS – Raynor 37-yard FG – 4:51 4th, 20-3
Up Next: The Eagles are slated to play host to Appalachian State in their final regular-season game next Saturday in Paulson Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
After an FAU field goal trimmed the margin to 10-3 late in the third quarter, the Eagles (7-4) burned 4:39 off the clock in a nine-play, 78-yard drive that culminated in a 2-yard Logan Wright touchdown run and a 17-3 GS cushion.
The Eagle defense forced a turnover on downs at the FAU 44-yard line on the Owls' next possession, and the offense took another 5:36 off the clock before Alex Raynor gave GS a 20-3 advantage with a 37-yard field goal with 4:51 remaining. FAU (5-2) drove down to the GS 14-yard line, but Raymond Johnson III got pressure on quarterback Nick Tronti on 4th-and-6, and his pass sailed out of the back of the end zone.
Eagles of the Game: Wright finished with 122 total yards and a rushing touchdown, and Justin Tomlin rushed for 78 yards on 20 carries. Justin Birdsong and Derrick Canteen posted interceptions, and Birdsong tallied six tackles. Gerald Green rushed for 74 yards on 16 carries.
Key Moments:
The Eagles got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter when Khaleb Hood took a punt back 49 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
A turnover gave the Eagles good field position to set up their second score. Rashad Byrd put a good hit on scrambling FAU quarterback Javion Posey with his helmet right on the ball. The ball popped free, where it bounced around the turf before Reid Dedman recovered it at the Owl 47-yard line. The Eagles drove down to the FAU 13-yard line, and Raynor made a 30-yard field goal for a 10-0 GS lead with 3:30 to play in the first half.
Key Stats: The Eagles were 3 for 4 in the Red Zone and committed zero turnovers in the game while forcing four FAU turnovers.
Notes: Georgia Southern has won 27 straight home games against non-conference opponents dating back to a Nov. 18, 2006, overtime loss to Central Arkansas that ended the season.
Scoring Plays:
GS –Hood 49-yard punt return – 13:29 2nd, 7-0
GS – Raynor 30-yard FG – 3:30 2nd, 10-0
FAU – Vladimir Rivas 26-yard FG – 2:26 3rd, 10-3
GS – Wright 2-yard TD run – 12:39 4th, 17-3
GS – Raynor 37-yard FG – 4:51 4th, 20-3
Up Next: The Eagles are slated to play host to Appalachian State in their final regular-season game next Saturday in Paulson Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
Team Stats
FAU
GS
Total Yards
322
339
Pass Yards
189
70
Rushing Yards
133
269
Penalty Yards
30
35
1st Downs
16
18
3rd Downs
2
6
4th Downs
0
1
TOP
23:15
36:45
2nd Quarter
FAU 0, GS 7
GS - K. Hood 49 yd punt return (A. Raynor kick)
FAU 0, GS 10
GS - A. Raynor 30 yd field goal 10 plays, 34 yards, TOP 4:18
3rd Quarter
FAU 3, GS 10
FAU - RIVAS, Vladimir 26 yd field goal 10 plays, 67 yards, TOP 3:20
4th Quarter
FAU 3, GS 17
GS - L. Wright 2 yd run (A. Raynor kick), 9 plays, 78 yards, TOP 4:39
FAU 3, GS 20
GS - A. Raynor 37 yd field goal 10 plays, 23 yards, TOP 5:36
Game Leaders
CMP
3
TD
0
YDS
70
INT
0
Players Mentioned
CB
/ Football
ILB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
SLOT
/ Football
DE
/ Football
PK
/ FootballQB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballClay Helton Media Availability: National Signing Day (12/3/25)
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