CONWAY, S.C. – Despite a valiant second-half rally, the Georgia Southern football team wrapped up its 2023 season with a 41-21 loss to Ohio Saturday at Brooks Stadium in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.

Ohio struck first in the opening quarter after an Eagle interception, eventually converting a 27-yard field goal after an Eagle goal-line stand to make it 3-0. Georgia Southern ran just seven plays in the first quarter, totaling 9 yards on two drives. The Bobcats then used a 13-play drive, capped off by a 2-yard scoring run, to make it 10-0 early in the second quarter. A 26-yard field goal extended the lead to 20-0 to go into the half. 

Georgia Southern got a quick three-and-out to start the second half, but a fourth Eagle turnover was converted for a touchdown to make it 27-0. The Eagles put together their first solid drive of the day mid-way through the third quarter and capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run from David Mbadinga, his second of the season. A fifth Eagle turnover led to a 40-yard touchdown run to give the Bobcats a 27-point lead. On the next drive, Davis Brin hit Derwin Burgess Jr. on a 65-yard scoring pass to make it 34-14.

After a successful onside kick from Brendan Franke that was recovered by Holden Trice, Brin led the Eagles on a seven-play drive that was capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jjay Mcafee to bring the Eagles to within 13 points. A fourth-down stop by Ohio with 6:32 stymied the rally and sealed the game.

Fifth-year receiver Khaleb Hood set the school record for receiving yards in a season and became just the fifth player in Sun Belt history to record 100 catches, the first since 2012.

Ohio scored 20 points off the five Georgia Southern turnovers to help secure the win.

Burgess Jr. led the Eagle offense with six catches for 117 yards receiving and a touchdown. Brin set a new Myrtle Beach Bowl record with 350 passing yards. Justin Rhodes led the Eagle defense with eight tackles. 

Georgia Southern concludes the season at 6-7 and will open the 2024 season on Aug. 31 at home against Boise State, champions of the Mountain West Conference.