STATESBORO, Ga. (October 18, 2025) – In a rivalry game crackling with emotion, Georgia Southern football saved its best for last, unleashing a stunning 21-0 fourth-quarter blitz to overwhelm Georgia State 41-24 and take the Georgia Grown Bowl trophy in front of the fourth-largest crowd in Paulson Stadium history.
Trailing 24-20 entering the final frame, the Eagles didn’t just win; they took the game over, dominating the line of scrimmage and playing with a ferocity that left no doubt who owned the state.
“It was a rivalry game, and I thought they fought their guts out, just like our kids did,” said Head Coach Clay Helton. “We talked about playing from A to B, and we needed a team victory. And I thought in the fourth quarter, the guys really stood tall. You go 21 to nothing… you find 21 straight points. The defense found stops, they get a big turnover, and that leads to a big conference win.”
The game was a tense, see-saw battle for three quarters, featuring six lead changes. A critical moment came just before halftime. After Georgia State scored to take a 17-10 lead, the Eagles drove down the field, and a season-long 46-yard field goal from Tripp Bryant cut the deficit to 17-13, swinging momentum back toward the home sideline as the teams headed into the locker room.
After trading touchdowns in the third, the Eagles faced a four-point deficit with 15 minutes to play. That’s when Helton challenged his team, particularly the offensive line.
“We challenged the offensive line in that fourth quarter,” Helton revealed. “We said, ‘Hey, you’re going to take the game over. It’s time.’ And I credit the offensive line. I thought they managed the line of scrimmage extremely well in that fourth quarter and really won the game.”
The takeover began immediately. On the first play of the fourth, freshman quarterback Weston Bryan scored a one-yard touchdown to put the Eagles ahead for good. The defense then forced the game’s most pivotal play, an interception that gave the offense the ball and a chance to seal the win.
“You hit the nail on the head,” Helton said of the turnover’s importance. “Both teams were protecting the ball really, really well, and we get the turnover that we needed to create separation. You could see the eyes of… our offense. They knew they had a chance to kind of put the nail in the coffin, and credit to them, they did.”
Quarterback JC French IV capitalized quickly. He hit receiver Camden Brown for a 16-yard touchdown. It was Brown’s second touchdown reception of the game and his eighth of the season, tying the Georgia Southern single-season record of eight TD catches, originally set by Chris Johnson in the 2000 season.
“He came here because he wanted to be a leading man. He wanted to be a star,” Helton said of Brown, comparing his work ethic to NFL greats he has coached. “He’s like those guys… you can’t tell the difference between practice and the game.”
A final five-yard touchdown pass from French to Dalen Cobb completed the 21-point onslaught and cemented the victory. French was the clear star, finishing with 210 yards and three touchdowns through the air, while leading the Eagles on the ground with 85 yards and another score.
For the players, the win was a validation of their hard work and a promise kept to a passionate fanbase of 25,428.
“Man, y’all saw it. Y’all saw a different team, a different energy,” Brown said after the game. “I just say, y’all stick with us. Keep on hanging on tight.”
The win provided a jolt of momentum as the team prepares for two straight road games.
“It kind of feels like the monkey’s off you
r back,” Helton concluded. “This has become a very, very special game. I wish you could have all fit in and seen that locker room and being able to hoist that trophy up.”
