Georgia Southern University
1-2 , 0-0
Jax State
2-2 , 0-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ga. Southern | 3 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 27 |
| Jacksonville St. | 0 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 31 |
Gamecocks Rally in Second Half to Knock Off Eagles
9/19/2026 11:36:00 PM | Football
Mbadinga records first 100-yard rushing game
The Eagles held the ball for 11:12 of the first quarter and converted four of six third downs, while the Gamecocks went 0-for-2 on third down. The Eagles paired 39 rushing yards with 68 passing yards and held the Gamecocks to two rushing yards and 10 passing yards; Tripp Bryant's 22-yard field goal after a 14-play, 71-yard opening drive left the Eagles ahead 3-0 after the first quarter.
The Eagles outscored the Gamecocks 21-10 in the second quarter, going 3-for-3 in the red zone with three rushing touchdowns by Weston Bryan and converting three of four third downs. The Eagles also turned a Chace Calicut forced fumble and Brandon Tyson recovery into seven points, while the Gamecocks threw for 130 yards and scored on both red-zone trips to make it 24-10 at halftime.
The Gamecocks held the ball for 9:21 of the third quarter and produced six first downs, scoring on Caden Creel's 18-yard touchdown pass to Deondre Johnson. The Eagles' only possession covered 61 yards in 10 plays, with David Mbadinga rushing six times for 36 yards and Max Johnson completing all three throws for 25 yards before Bryant's 43-yard field goal. The Gamecocks outscored the Eagles 7-3 in the quarter, but the Eagles led 27-17 entering the fourth.
The Eagles held the ball for 11:02 in the fourth quarter and produced five first downs, but finished the quarter scoreless and had their red-zone possession end with Tristan Lyles' interception at the Gamecocks' 15. The Gamecocks scored all 14 points in the quarter, getting a 26-yard touchdown run from Lucas Farrington and a 75-yard punt return touchdown from Caleb Nix to finish off a 31-27 result.
Bryan rushed for a career-high three touchdowns on six carries and finished with 27 yards. Mbadinga ran for 103 yards on 18 carries and added five catches for 40 yards. Max Johnson completed 23 of 33 passes for 187 yards and added 12 rushing yards. Bryant converted both field-goal attempts, including a 43-yarder, and made all three PATs.
The Eagles are 1-2 overall. The Gamecocks are 2-2 overall.
Up next, the Eagles host Houston on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia.
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Players Mentioned
Team Stats
GSU 3, JSU 0
GSU - Bryant,Tripp 22 yd field goal 14 plays, 71 yards, TOP 07:52
GSU 10, JSU 0
GSU - Bryan,Weston 10 yd run (Bryant,Tripp kick), 7 plays, 50 yards, TOP 02:23
GSU 17, JSU 0
GSU - Bryan,Weston 2 yd run (Bryant,Tripp kick), 6 plays, 22 yards, TOP 02:26
GSU 17, JSU 7
JSU - Likely,Jalen 13 yd pass from Creel,Caden (Rippa,Garrison kick) 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:41
GSU 17, JSU 10
JSU - Rippa,Garrison 35 yd field goal 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:56
GSU 24, JSU 10
GSU - Bryan,Weston 2 yd run (Bryant,Tripp kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:32
GSU 24, JSU 17
JSU - Johnson,Deondre 18 yd pass from Creel,Caden (Rippa,Garrison kick) 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 07:15
GSU 27, JSU 17
GSU - Bryant,Tripp 43 yd field goal 10 plays, 61 yards, TOP 05:33
GSU 27, JSU 24
JSU - Farrington,Lucas 26 yd run (Rippa,Garrison kick), 4 plays, 53 yards, TOP 01:33
GSU 27, JSU 31
JSU - Nix,Caleb 75 yd punt return (Rippa,Garrison kick)
