Georgia Southern improves to 3-1 with non-conference win
By Justin Gray
The Georgia Southern Eagles were looking to get back on the winning track after a tough loss on the road at UAB last weekend. This week they were hosting Ball State in Statesboro in what looked to be a doozy.
The scoring was limited early as GSU knocked in two field goals to Ball State’s one, the score was 6-3 Eagles. With 5:29 left to go before the half the Eagles decided to get the scoring really going and punched it in on a RB Gerald Green touchdown run. Ball State answered quickly on the ensuing drive, scoring after a 10 play, 75 yard drive. Both teams got another possession, but both failed to make it count before halftime. The Eagles went in up 13-10 at the half.
The Cardinals of Ball State received the ball to get the second half underway and drove it down into Eagle territory where they kicked a field goal to tie the game. The Eagles responded fast as it only took them four plays to find the end zone on a QB Kyle Vantrease touchdown run to go up 20-13. Now the scoring started really getting good as both teams were throwing their best punch and the Cardinals responded with a touchdown drive of their own capping it off with a 19-yard touchdown pass.
The Eagles gained one yard before punting it back to the hot Ball State offense and the Eagle defense came up huge holding them to a field goal. The score was 23-20 Ball State, as both teams were forced to punt on their next two drives. The Eagles then, winning the field position battle, scored quickly from 43 yards out to make it 27-23. The Eagles defense came up with yet another huge stop getting Ball State to punt the ball.
The Eagles were trying to run out the time when WR Amare Jones broke through the coverage and was wide open 47 yards downfield and QB Kyle Vantrease hit him in stride for the touchdown, making it 34-23. The Cardinals made one last push, but it came up short after they threw an interception in the Eagles end zone. WR Derwin Burgess Jr. had another terrific game with 133 yards receiving.
The Eagles improved to 3-1 after that win. The offense has been just as good as advertised and the defense seems to be getting their feet under themselves as well. Next week they head to Coastal Carolina at 4 P.M. to start Sun Belt Conference Play.
