Eagles Seek Reset at App State as Rivalry Shifts to Thursday Night in Boone
After an 11-day bye week, Georgia Southern will visit Appalachian State on Thursday night at Kidd Brewer Stadium, aiming to recover in a season that has slipped from Sun Belt title contention and now threatens their bowl prospects.
“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
The Eagles hold a 5-12 all-time record at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Georgia Southern won last year's matchup 29-20 in Statesboro. This game marks the first time since 2019 that the rivalry isn’t the regular-season finale.
Key Players and Team Dynamics
- Quarterback JC French IV has thrown a touchdown in 11 consecutive games, contributing to 19 total touchdowns this season (14 passing, five rushing).
- Senior receiver Camden Brown set a school record with nine touchdown receptions this season, ranking fifth nationally.
- The team expects to start the same offensive line for the seventh straight game.
Defensive Highlights
Linebacker and team captain Brendan Harrington returns to Boone, facing his former team Appalachian State after six seasons and 167 tackles in 50 games there.
Coach Helton’s record against Appalachian State stands at 2-1 overall, but he is 0-1 at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
“My job is to win football games.” — Clay Helton, reiterating his focus and responsibility
Summary: Georgia Southern aims to revive its season against Appalachian State, relying on key players' performance and a focused coaching mindset to regain momentum in a shifted rivalry matchup.
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