Valiant Comeback Falls Short as Red Wolves Hold On To Down Georgia Southern, 38-33

From gseagles.com

JONESBORO, Ark. – Arkansas State scored 35 first-half points and held on in the second half for a 38-33 victory over Georgia Southern Saturday afternoon in Sun Belt Conference football action at Centennial Bank Stadium behind four passes from Layne Hatcher.

 Key Moment: After falling behind 21-3, Georgia Southern marched 63 yards on 10 plays for a touchdown, but Kirk Merritt returned the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown to snatch the momentum right back. The Eagles would battle back in the second half to get it within five points, but couldn’t complete a last-minute drive as the furious rally fell just short.

 Key Scoring Plays:

• A 56-yard run by Wesley Kennedy III set up a 26-yard field goal by Tyler Bass to give the game its first points. GS 3, ASU 0. 
• Layne Hatcher hit Jonathan Adams on a deep pass for the 32-yard score to gain the lead. GS 3, ASU 7.
• Hatcher threw deep again to Adams as the clock expired in the first for the 63-yard touchdown. GS 3, ASU 14. 
• Following a Matt LaRoche fumble, Layne Hatcher hit Omar Bayless for the 32-yard score. GS 3, ASU 21. 
• The Eagles capped a 10-play, 63-yard drive with a Shai Werts 10-yard run. GS 10, ASU 21. 
• The Red Wolves’ Kirk Merritt took the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for the touchdown. GS 10, ASU 28. 
• Following a costly kick catch interference penalty by the Eagles on a punt, Hatcher connected with Merritt for 27 yards on the first play. GS 10, ASU 35. 
• Hatcher is sacked in the end zone for a safety by Raymond Johnson III, which eventually led to an 11-yard touchdown pass from Werts to Malik Murray. That drive was highlighted by a successful fake field goal with Tyler Bass hitting Anthony Beck II on a lob pass on fourth and 3. GS 19, ASU 35. 
• Werts threw his second touchdown pass of the game, this one to Mark Michaud for the 8-yard score. Werts hit Michaud again for the 2-point conversion. GS 27, ASU 38
• Aided by several defensive penalties, the Eagles went down and scored with 4:50 left on Werts’ 25-yard pass to Michaud. GS 33, ASU 38.           

 Key Stat: Leading 7-3 in the first quarter, Arkansas State scored touchdowns on four consecutive touches to bust it open for a 35-10 lead. The Red Wolves scored on the first play of two drives and returned a kickoff for a touchdown in that span. The Eagles outscored A-State 23-3 from that point on.

Of Note: Werts tied his career high with three touchdown passes while throwing for 175 yards while also running for 159 yards and a score … Michaud set a new career high with six receptions for 96 yards and also tied his career high with two touchdown catches.

 Up Next: The Eagles (6-5, 4-3 SBC) close the 2019 regular season at home against Georgia State (7-4, 4-3 SBC) on Nov. 30. The game time will be announced later this weekend. Tickets are available through GSEagles.com.