MUNCIE, Ind. - Davis Brin threw four touchdown passes, Michael Lantz hit four field goals and the defense allowed just 197 yards of total offense as the Georgia Southern football squad blew past Ball State Saturday, September 23,2023, 40-3, at Sheumann Stadium in non-conference action.
After scoring just 14 points last week at Wisconsin, the Eagle wasted no time matching that total on Saturday. On the first drive, Davis Brin connected with Evan Lester Jr. for a 1-yard scoring pass. On the second drive, OJ Arnold's 38-yard run up the middle set up a 9-yard touchdown pass from Brin to Keaton Upshaw.
The second quarter consisted of three field goals from Lantz (41, 26, 37 yards) to give the Eagles a 23-0 lead at the break. The defense was smothering in the first half, allowing just 59 yards of total offense and four first down with three sacks.
In the second half, Khaleb Hood went over then 2,000 career receiving yard mark with a 35-yard catch down the sideline. Three plays later, he caught a 21-yard touchdown from Brin as he went over 100 yards receiving for the fifth time to tie the school record (Raja Andrews).
The Cardinals threatened late in the third quarter, getting the ball inside the 10-yard line, but Shemar Bartholomew picked off a pass in the end zone to end the drive. It was Bartholomew's 10th career pick, and his first with the Eagles. On the next drive, Jalen Denton picked off his first pass of the year which led to a 35-yard field goal from Lantz.
In the fourth quarter, Brin connected on his fourth touchdown of the day, this one an 8-yard scoring pass to Anthony Queeley. The Cardinals finally got on the board midway through the fourth quarter with a field goal that came against the second-team defense.
Brin finished the day 34-for-46 for 344 yards and four scores. Hood caught seven passes for 107 yards. Arnold led the way on the ground with 90 yards on nine carries.
Defensively, Marc Stampley II led the way with eight tackles, including 2.5 for loss and a sack. Overall, the Eagles allowed just 37 yards rushing for the game with four sacks and two turnovers.
The Eagles (3-1) will hop into conference play next week, hosting Coastal Carolina (2-2, 0-1 SBC) in their Sun Belt opener. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Allen E. Paulson Stadium in a game that will be broadcast by the NFL Network.
Tickets can be purchased at GSEagles.com/tickets.
