Eagles Seek Reset at Appalachian State as Rivalry Moves to Thursday Night
After an 11-day bye week, Georgia Southern faces rival Appalachian State on Thursday night at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone. The Eagles aim to stabilize a season that has slipped out of Sun Belt title contention and now endangers their bowl game chances.
“There’s a billion excuses that can be made, but I’m not an excuse maker. My job is to win football games.” — Head coach Clay Helton
Rivalry and Venue Details
- The game kicks off at Kidd Brewer Stadium, where Georgia Southern holds a 5-12 all-time record.
- Georgia Southern won last year’s meeting 29-20 in Statesboro.
- This marks the first time since 2019 that the rivalry is not the regular-season finale.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback JC French IV continues his strong performance, having thrown a touchdown pass in 11 consecutive games and accounting for 19 total scores (14 passing, five rushing). Senior receiver Camden Brown has set a new school record with nine touchdown receptions this season, ranking tied for fifth nationally.
Team Composition and Experience
- Georgia Southern anticipates starting the same offensive line for the seventh straight game.
- Defensively, linebacker and captain Brendan Harrington returns to Boone. Harrington played six seasons at Appalachian State, recording 167 tackles across 50 games.
Coach Helton has a 2-1 record against Appalachian State but is still seeking his first win at Kidd Brewer Stadium (0-1).
Author’s summary: Georgia Southern aims to regain momentum in their rivalry with Appalachian State, driven by consistent key players and determined coaching despite historical challenges at Kidd Brewer Stadium.