Box Score Game Box (pdf)
Inside Wofford Football
STATESBORO, Ga. – In a defensive battle between top ten teams, the Wofford football team fell 17-9 to Georgia Southern on Saturday evening at Paulson Stadium. Both teams kept the ball on the ground, as the Eagles had 265 rushing yards to 221 for the Terriers.
The Terriers are 5-1 on the season and 3-1 in the SoCon. Georgia Southern is 5-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play. For Wofford, Eric Breitenstein had 102 yards on 13 carries and Cam Flowers had 26 yards. Georgia Southern was led by Dominique Swope with 25 carries for 137 yards and the game’s only two touchdowns.
“We knew they were going to do what they did,” said head coach Mike Ayers. “For us defensively we did a great job of stopping an explosive offense, but we have to do a better job offensively. We had opportunities but we just have to coach them better. We will do everything we can do to get them ready for next week. It is not going to be easy because there is no easy in the Southern Conference.”
To open the game, Georgia Southern fumbled and the ball was recovered by E.J. Speller at the 28-yard line. Wofford was stopped and made a 39-yard field goal, but the Eagles were offsides and the Terriers got the first down. After a pass interference call in the endzone, Wofford got on the board with a 19-yard field goal by Christian Reed for a 3-0 lead with 9:26 on the clock in the first quarter.
On the next drive for the Eagles, they were forced three-and-out and punted. Wofford gained one first down before a tackle for loss and sack made the Terriers punt. Georgia Southern picked up one first down before punting. Wofford used a 65-yard run by Eric Breitenstein to move the ball inside the 15-yard line and took a 6-0 lead after a 30-yard field goal by Christian Reed with 14:56 on the clock in the second quarter.
The Eagles had a 33-yard run by Jerrick McKinnon to set up a 48-yard field goal by Alex Hanks to make it a 6-3 game at 11:52 in the second quarter. On the ensuing drive the Terriers gained one first down before punting, which was matched by the Eagles on their next drive. Wofford then went three-and-out and punted and Darreion Robinson returned it 46 yards inside the 30-yard line. Georgia Southern took advantage of the short field and scored a touchdown on a four-yard run by Dominique Swope. The Eagles had a 10-6 lead with 46 seconds left in the first half.
To start the second half, Wofford gained one first down before two incomplete passes forced a punt. After a sack by Alvin Scioneaux, Georgia Southern went three-and-out and punted. After picking up two first downs, Eric Breitenstein converted a fourth-and-one. However the drive stalled and Wofford punted.
The Eagles gained two first downs on their next drive before punting with 1:23 on the clock in the third quarter. Wofford then was able to pick up three first downs, but after a fumble the Terriers were forced to punt with 12:12 left in the fourth quarter.
Georgia Southern used four rushing first downs to get to the 11-yard line. Dominique Swope then scored from three yards out to give the Eagles a 17-6 lead with 8:36 on the clock in the fourth quarter. With the ball back, Wofford was able to drive inside the 10-yard line, but once again were kept out of the endzone and Christian Reed kicked a 23-yard field goal. The score was 17-9 with 3:38 left in the game. The Eagles got the ball back and were able to gain three first downs and run out the clock for the win.
Wofford had 248 total yards, with 221 on the ground. Georgia Southern had 265 total yards, all of which were rushing. Each team had 15 first downs. Wofford was 4-of-15 on third downs. Georgia Southern was 3-of-10 on third down. Wofford had two penalties, while Georgia Southern had five. Wofford had the time of possession by a 33:40 to 26:20 margin.
Next week, the Terriers travel to Appalachian State on October 20 for a 3:30 p.m. contest before returning home on October 27 against The Citadel.
Wofford vs. Georgia Southern Post-Game Notes
The win by Georgia Southern ends a streak of road team wins in the series at seven.
After Wofford allowed just three sacks in the first five games of the season, the Eagles had three sacks on the night.
Eric Breitenstein marked his 25th career 100+ rushing game (tied for first in school history) with 102 yards on 13 carries. Eric Breitenstein stands at 4,690 career rushing yards, currently 438 yards behind Shawn Graves at 5,128 yards in the school record book. Breitenstein has 995 rushing yards this season.
Mike Niam (knee) and Zach Bobb (knee) missed the contest due to injury. Calvin Cantrell (concussion) was hurt in the game.
Game captains were Stephon Shelton and Bryan Youman.
Attendance was 20,983 at Paulson Stadium.
