2024 Georgia Southern Eagles football team

American college football season

2024 Georgia Southern Eagles football

Conference	Sun Belt Conference
Division	East Division
Record	2–2 (0–0 Sun Belt)
Head coach	Clay Helton (3rd season)
Offensive coordinator	Ryan Aplin (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	Brandon Bailey (2nd season)
Home stadium	Paulson Stadium
Seasons ← 2023 2025 →

2024 Sun Belt Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
East Division
James Madison	0	–	0	3	–	0
Coastal Carolina	0	–	0	3	–	1
Georgia State	0	–	0	2	–	1
Georgia Southern	0	–	0	2	–	2
Marshall	0	–	0	1	–	2
Old Dominion	0	–	0	0	–	3
Appalachian State	0	–	1	2	–	2
West Division
South Alabama	1	–	0	2	–	2
Louisiana	0	–	0	2	–	1
Louisiana–Monroe	0	–	0	2	–	1
Texas State	0	–	0	2	–	1
Arkansas State	0	–	0	2	–	2
Southern Miss	0	–	0	1	–	3
Troy	0	–	0	1	–	3
Championship: December 7, 2024
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant As of September 23, 2024 Rankings from AP Poll

The 2024 Georgia Southern Eagles football team will represent Georgia Southern University in the Sun Belt Conference's East Division during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Eagles are led by Clay Helton in his third year as the head coach. The Eagles will play home games at Paulson Stadium, located in Statesboro, Georgia.

Preseason

Media poll

In the Sun Belt preseason coaches' poll, the Eagles were picked to finish fourth place in the East division.^[1]

Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
Media poll (East division)
1	Appalachian State	96 (12)
2	James Madison	79 (2)
3	Coastal Carolina	67
4	Georgia Southern	50
5	Marshall	49
6	Old Dominion	32
7	Georgia State	19

Runningback Jalen White and wide receiver Derwin Burgess Jr. were awarded to be in the preseason All-Sun Belt first team offense.^[2] Linebacker Marques Waston-Trent and defensive linemen Justin Rhodes and Isaac Walker were named to the All-Sun Belt first team defense.

Offensive linemen Chandler Strong and Pinchon Wimbley, defensive back TJ Smith, and returner DeAndre Buchannon were named to the second team.

Schedule

The football schedule was announced on March 1, 2024.^[3]

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	4:00 p.m.	Boise State*	Paulson Stadium Statesboro, GA	ESPNU	L 45–56	24,134
September 7	7:00 p.m.	at Nevada*	Mackay Stadium Reno, NV	TruTV	W 20–17	16,245
September 14	6:00 p.m.	South Carolina State*	Paulson Stadium Statesboro, GA	ESPN+	W 42–14	21,617
September 21	7:45 p.m.	at No. 5 Ole Miss*	Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Oxford, MS	SECN	L 13–52	67,505
September 28	3:30 p.m.	at Georgia State	Center Parc Stadium Atlanta, GA (rivalry)	ESPNU
October 12	6:00 p.m.	Marshall	Paulson Stadium Statesboro, GA
October 19	4:00 p.m.	James Madison	Paulson Stadium Statesboro, GA
October 24	7:00 p.m.	at Old Dominion	S.B. Ballard Stadium Norfolk, VA	ESPN2
November 2		at South Alabama	Hancock Whitney Stadium Mobile, AL
November 16		Troy	Paulson Stadium Statesboro, GA
November 23		at Coastal Carolina	Brooks Stadium Conway, SC
November 30		Appalachian State	Paulson Stadium Statesboro, GA (rivalry)
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings released prior to game All times are in Eastern time

Game summaries

Boise State

Game One – Boise State Broncos (0–0) at Georgia Southern Eagles (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	14	14	8	0	36
Eagles	0	16	14	0	30

at Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA

Date: August 31, 2024
Game time: 4:00 p.m.
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
TV announcers (ESPNU): Mike Corey (play-by-play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	BSU	GSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Boise State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Georgia Southern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Nevada

Game Two – Georgia Southern Eagles (0–1) vs Nevada Wolf Pack (1–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Georgia Southern	0	0	0	0	0
Nevada	0	0	0	0	0

at Mackay Stadium • Reno, NV

Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
Game time: 7:00 PM EST
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
TV announcers (TruTV): J. B Long (play-by-play), Mike Golic Jr. (analyst), and Nabil Karim (sideline)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	GASO	NEV
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Georgia Southern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Nevada	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

South Carolina State (FCS)

Game Three – South Carolina State Bulldogs (FCS) (1–1) vs Georgia Southern Eagles (1–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
South Carolina State (FCS)	0	0	0	0	0
Georgia Southern	0	0	0	0	0

at Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA

Date: Saturday September 14, 2024
Game time: 6:00 p.m.
TV announcers (ESPN+): Danny Waugh (play-by-play) and Jared Denk (analyst)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	SCST	GASO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
South Carolina State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Georgia Southern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at No. 5 Ole Miss

Game Four – Georgia Southern Eagles (2–1) at No. 5 Ole Miss Rebels (3–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Georgia Southern	0	7	3	3	13
No. 5 Ole Miss	17	7	14	14	52

at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS

Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Game time: 7:45 p.m. EST
Game weather: Cloudy, 82 °F (28 °C)
Game attendance: 67,505
Referee: Steve Marlowe
TV announcers (SECN): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), and Cole Cubelic (sideline)
Pregame line: Ole Miss –35.5 • O/U: 68.5

Game information
First quarter (14:29) Ole Miss - Antwane Wells Jr. 35 Yd pass from Jaxson Dart (Caden Davis Kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:31; Ole Miss 7–0) (13:16) Ole Miss - Caden Davis 28 Yd Field Goal (Drive: 4 plays, -2 yards, 1:07; Ole Miss 10–0) (4:39) Ole Miss - Jordan Watkins 23 Yd pass from Jaxson Dart (Caden Davis Kick) (Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 6:07; Ole Miss 17–0) Second quarter (14:12) Georgia Southern - Derwin Burgess Jr. 12 Yd pass from OJ Arnold (Gavin Stewart Kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:27; Ole Miss 17–7) (8:08) Ole Miss - Tre Harris 70 Yd pass from Jaxson Dart (Caden Davis Kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 76 yards, 0:35; Ole Miss 24–7) Third quarter (9:00) Ole Miss - JJ Pegues 1 Yd Run (Caden Davis Kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 4:13; Ole Miss 31–7) (4:33) Ole Miss - Henry Parrish Jr. 5 Yd Run (Caden Davis Kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 2:25; Ole Miss 38–7) (0:14) Georgia Southern - Gavin Stewart 42 Yd Field Goal (Drive: 10 plays, 50 yards, 4:12; Ole Miss 38–10) Fourth quarter (14:30) Ole Miss - Tre Harris 36 Yd pass from Jaxson Dart (Caden Davis Kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:44; Ole Miss 45–10) (7:37) Ole Miss - Domonique Thomas 1 Yd Run (Caden Davis Kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 47 yards, 1:43; Ole Miss 52–10) (1:56) Georgia Southern - Gavin Stewart 33 Yd Field Goal (Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 5:41; Ole Miss 52–13)

Game information

First quarter

(14:29) Ole Miss - Antwane Wells Jr. 35 Yd pass from Jaxson Dart (Caden Davis Kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:31; Ole Miss 7–0)
(13:16) Ole Miss - Caden Davis 28 Yd Field Goal (Drive: 4 plays, -2 yards, 1:07; Ole Miss 10–0)
(4:39) Ole Miss - Jordan Watkins 23 Yd pass from Jaxson Dart (Caden Davis Kick) (Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 6:07; Ole Miss 17–0)

Second quarter

(14:12) Georgia Southern - Derwin Burgess Jr. 12 Yd pass from OJ Arnold (Gavin Stewart Kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:27; Ole Miss 17–7)
(8:08) Ole Miss - Tre Harris 70 Yd pass from Jaxson Dart (Caden Davis Kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 76 yards, 0:35; Ole Miss 24–7)

Third quarter

(9:00) Ole Miss - JJ Pegues 1 Yd Run (Caden Davis Kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 4:13; Ole Miss 31–7)
(4:33) Ole Miss - Henry Parrish Jr. 5 Yd Run (Caden Davis Kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 2:25; Ole Miss 38–7)
(0:14) Georgia Southern - Gavin Stewart 42 Yd Field Goal (Drive: 10 plays, 50 yards, 4:12; Ole Miss 38–10)

Fourth quarter

(14:30) Ole Miss - Tre Harris 36 Yd pass from Jaxson Dart (Caden Davis Kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 0:44; Ole Miss 45–10)
(7:37) Ole Miss - Domonique Thomas 1 Yd Run (Caden Davis Kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 47 yards, 1:43; Ole Miss 52–10)
(1:56) Georgia Southern - Gavin Stewart 33 Yd Field Goal (Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 5:41; Ole Miss 52–13)

Statistics	GASO	MISS
First downs	16	26
Total yards	194	607
Rushing yards	37	219
Passing yards	157	388
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	23–33–1	23–33–1
Time of possession	34:26	25:34

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Georgia Southern	Passing	JC French	20/28, 109 yards
	Rushing	Jalen White	7 carries, 24 yards
	Receiving	Derwin Burgess Jr.	5 receptions, 53 yards, TD
Ole Miss	Passing	Jaxson Dart	22/31, 382 yards, 4 TD, INT
	Rushing	Henry Parrish Jr.	13 carries, 89 yards, TD
	Receiving	Tre Harris	11 receptions, 225 yards, 2 TD

at Georgia State

Game Five – Georgia Southern Eagles (2–2) at Georgia State Panthers (2–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Georgia Southern	0	0	0	0	0
Georgia State	0	0	0	0	0

at Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, GA

Date: Saturday September 28, 2024
Game time: 3:30 PM
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
TV: ESPNU

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	GASO	GSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Georgia Southern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Georgia State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Marshall

Game Six – Marshall Thundering Herd (0–0) at Georgia Southern Eagles (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Thundering Herd	0	0	0	0	0
Eagles	0	0	0	0	0

at Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA

Date: Saturday October 12, 2024
Game time: TBD
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MRSH	GASO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Marshall	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Georgia Southern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Old Dominion

Game Eight – Georgia Southern Eagles (0–0) vs Old Dominion Monarchs (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	0	0	0	0	0
Monarchs	0	0	0	0	0

at S.B. Ballard Stadium • Norfolk, VA

Date: October 24, 2024
Game time: 7:00 PM
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
TV: ESPN2

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	GASO	ODU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Georgia Southern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Old Dominion	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

References

^ "Sun Belt Announces Football Preseason Awards & Poll". sunbeltsports.org. July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
^ "Nine Eagles Picked As Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference". Georgia Southern University Athletics. July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
^ "2024 Georgia Southern Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 20, 2024.

v t e Georgia Southern Eagles football
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People	Head coaches Statistical leaders NFL draftees
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National championship seasons in bold