Strong Defensive Effort Lifts Blue to 43-19 Win Over White Squad
STATESBORO - Four interceptions, including an 80-yard "Pick 7" on the final play of the game, lifted Team Blue to a 43-19 victory over Team White Saturday in the Georgia Southern Spring Football Game, presented by Morris Bank, Southern Exchange, and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
In a format where both the offense and defense could score based on a point system, Team White scored the first points on a 22-yard field goal from Michael Lantz. Davis Brin connected with tight end Keaton Upshaw on a 9-yard scoring pass.
In the second quarter, Colton FitzGerald hit DeAndre Buchannon in the back of the end zone for a 26-yard scoring play. The first half ended on a 34-yard field from Brendan Franke.
Team Blue scored points in the first half with three three-and-outs (3 points each), an interception from Kevin Speed (5 points), two sacks (1 point each), a failed PAT (1 point) and two stops with no scores (2 points each).
In the second half, Team Blue scored all of the points to pull away. The first points came on a fumble recovery by Cam Williams (5 points) thanks to a forced fumble at the goal line by Kierron Smith, and another stop (2 points) before Jack Ferguson picked off a pass (5 points) to make it 33-19.
A sack (1 point) and a stop (2 points) gave the defense a two-score lead late and then Andrew Douglas stepped in front of a Beau Allen pass on the final of the game, returning the interception 80 yards for a seven-point play.
Brin led the passing game, connecting on 13 of 23 passes for 179 yards and a score. On the ground, OJ Arnold carried the ball 11 times for 127 yards with a long of 56 yards. Terron Dixon II had 56 yards while Tyler Jordan added 31.
Khaleb Hood had three catches for 65 yards while Derwin Burgess Jr. had three catches for 59 yards in his return from a broken leg he sustained late last season. Jaylon Barden (5-35), Parker Self (2-32), Buchannon (2-31, TD), Dalen Cobb (2-27), Joshua Thompson (2-23), Anthony Queeley (3-22), Upshaw (2-24) and Brooks Pangle (2-14) all had two or more catches.
Defensively, Khadry Jackson, Justin Meyers, Davon Gilmore and Chase Dial-Watson (2 PBU) all had six tackles to lead the way.
The Eagles will open the 2023 season at home against The Citadel on Sept. 2.
