Big Fourth Quarter Lifts Eagles Over Chants

Saturday, October 3

Conway, SC

7 PM

Georgia Southern University

2-3 , 1-0

Coastal Carolina

1-4 , 0-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Ga. Southern	10	7	0	14	31
Coastal Carolina	0	10	7	7	24

10/3/2026 11:46:00 PM | Football

Box Score 2026 Football Season, presented by Vallant Bank

Squad moves to 1-0 in Sun Belt play

CONWAY, S.C. — Georgia Southern used a big fourth quarter to down Coastal Carolina 31-24 on Saturday at Brooks Stadium in both teams' Sun Belt opener. The Eagles' offense included a second-quarter three-play scoring drive highlighted by Weston Bryan's 67-yard touchdown run. The Eagles added 14 points in the fourth quarter, finished without a turnover, and got three sacks and two fumble recoveries from their defense.

In the first quarter, the Eagles threw for 87 yards, with Max Johnson completing 7 of 11 passes and hitting Zay Hilliard for an 18-yard touchdown, and added a 41-yard Tripp Bryant field goal to lead 10-0. The Chanticleers rushed for 69 yards but had only 14 passing yards, and the Eagles kept them off the scoreboard when Brandon Tyson forced a goal-line fumble that Jakyri Jones recovered for a touchback.

In the second quarter, the Eagles had the quarter's biggest offensive play, with Bryan's 67-yard touchdown run completing a three-play, 75-yard drive, and finished the quarter with 88 rushing yards. The Chanticleers held the ball for 12:17 and produced 88 passing yards, adding a 51-yard field goal and a 73-yard punt return touchdown, but the Eagles carried a 17-10 lead out of the second quarter.

The Eagles held the ball for 8:34 in the third quarter and threw for 69 yards while rushing for 19, but their three possessions ended with two punts and a drive that reached the Chanticleers' 26 as the quarter expired. The Chanticleers paired 37 rushing yards with 61 passing yards and scored the quarter's only points, with Deuce Bailey's 9-yard touchdown pass to Goldie Lawrence and the extra point tying the game at 17-17.

In the fourth quarter, the Eagles outscored the Chanticleers 14-7 to close out a 31-24 win. Johnson completed 5 of 6 passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns in the quarter (Alex Taylor and River Helms), while the Eagles' defense held the Chanticleers to minus-1 rushing yard, recorded three sacks and stopped the home team on all three third-down tries.

Johnson completed 18 of 29 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns. Bryan rushed for 88 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. River Helms finished with four catches for 89 yards and a touchdown. Tyson recorded 10 tackles and forced a fumble.

Game Notes:
- Team - Recorded at least three touchdown passes in two consecutive games.
- Team - Recorded 166 rushing yards, exceeding their season average of 108.0.
- Taylor - Notched at least six receptions in two consecutive games.
- Taylor - Recorded at least one receiving touchdown in two straight games.
- Tyson - Recorded a season-high 10 tackles.
- Johnson - Achieved at least three touchdown passes in two consecutive games.
- Johnson - Surpassed 1,000 passing yards for the season, reaching a total of 1,229 yards.
- Bryan - Rushed for 88 yards, exceeding his season average of 16.0.

The Eagles are 2-3 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Chanticleers are 1-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

Up next, the Eagles host James Madison on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPNU.