App State Football Narrowly Falls to Georgia Southern in Late Comeback
App State Football staged a strong rally with three touchdowns in the final 20 minutes, needing just one more score to complete a comeback win. However, Georgia Southern managed to run out the clock and secured a 25-23 victory at Kidd Brewer Stadium on Thursday night.
Key Defensive Efforts
The Mountaineers’ red zone defense was crucial, forcing the Eagles to settle for four field goals from distances of 21, 26, 23, and 24 yards during this intense midweek rivalry game. The matchup drew a crowd of 31,876 fans.
Game Progression
- App State (4-5, 1-4) trailed 19-0 until Dominic De Freitas kicked a 36-yard field goal to close out the first half on the scoreboard.
- Early in the second half, they fell further behind, 22-3, before scoring two touchdowns: a 1-yard reception by David Larkins with 4:51 left in the third quarter and a 27-yard run by Jaquari Lewis with 13:50 remaining in the fourth quarter.
- Georgia Southern (4-5, 2-3) extended their lead to two scores with a field goal at 9:05 remaining.
- AJ Swann’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Jaden Barnes with 1:56 left kept the Mountaineers’ comeback hopes alive.
Closing Moments
Georgia Southern recovered the onside kick but still needed to advance the ball since App State held all three timeouts. The Eagles gained a first down with an 11-yard run on the first play following the kick and sealed the game by converting a fourth-and-inches run from the App State 27 with 34 seconds left.
Author’s summary: Despite a furious late rally, App State fell just short as Georgia Southern’s clutch plays in the final minute preserved a narrow 25-23 win.