Eagles overcome Monarchs 49-35, advance to semifinals

Kevin Gregan

The Eagles overcame the high tempo Monarchs in a comeback of regal proportions and the patented triple-option assumes the crown of victory in Norfolk, VA. on Saturday.

Down 35-21 at the start of the fourth quarter, Georgia Southern University came from down by 14 points twice, shutting down the Old Dominion University offense.

With a forced fumble by senior defensive end Dion DuBose and an interception by senior safety JJ Wilcox, the Eagle defense blanked the Monarch offense in the fourth quarter.

The Eagle offense, led by junior quarterback Jerick McKinnon, established the rushing game throughout the, game rushing for 602 yards.

As the defense played well, the Offense came alive for the Eagles. The two turnovers led to points through the running game and the Eagles put up 28  points in the fourth quarter.

McKinnon led the offense with 174 yards rushing off 30 carries with four touchdowns. His one completion of seven attempts on the day sustained a drive that led to the first Eagle touchdown of the day.

Two seniors of defense, Dubose and Wilcox made the fourth quarter plays that helped win the game and a Semifinal appearance in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

The fifth seed Eagles will play the winner of the match-up between Wofford College and North Dakota State University Dec. 14-15.

If the Terriers win, they will travel to Statesboro for the game.

A win by the no. 1 seed ND State would lead to a rematch of last year’s semifinal match-up between the Bison and Eagles in Fargo, N.D.

Last year, the ND State Bison defeated the Eagles 35-7 and went on to win the FCS National Championship.