STATESBORO — On a rainy, windy Thursday night, the Eagles exemplified all the best aspects of what Georgia Southern football should be. After a weekend where the Eagles had very little success, this team could have easily let this game slip. However, Chad Lunsford’s team played a great game of all-around football.

Thursday night was an extremely emotional game. There had been trash talk coming from both sides all week and this talk would continue until after the game was over. The Eagles finally showed an energy that they had seemingly been missing all season long.

At the start, Thursday night’s game looked like the offenses were missing from both teams. After over 22 minutes of game time, the score was knotted at three as both teams knocked in first quarter field goals.

Eventually, both offenses would eventually find somewhat of a groove as the game progressed. The Eagles put their three-headed monster of a backfield to work as Shai Werts, JD King, and Wesley Kennedy III all eclipsed 70 rushing yards. Kennedy would become the star of the game, going for over 80 total yards and two of the Eagles three touchdowns.

On the other hand, the Jaguars found a groove through the air. Despite running a two-quarterback system the majority of the season, South Alabama would only trot out one quarterback on Thursday night. Sophomore Desmond Trotter would complete 20 of his 27 pass attempts for two touchdowns and 200 yards.

As the game entered the fourth quarter, Georgia Southern trailed the Jaguars by a score of 17-10. However, this game would quickly turn into the Wesley Kennedy III show. Less than three minutes into the quarter, Kennedy would tie the game at 17 on a routine pitch from quarterback Shai Werts.

The eventual game-winning touchdown was one to remember for the senior running back out of Savannah. On a second down with eight yards to go from the South Alabama 15-yard-line, Kennedy would take a pitch from Shai Werts. To most people, this play looked as if it would go for almost no gain. However, the star running back would do the unthinkable and evade approximately eight defenders on his way to the endzone.

Overall, Thursday night was arguably the best all-around game the Eagles have played all year. However, the team will not be able to dwell on the win too long as they will now shift their focus to their Nov. 7 home game against Troy.