2025 Georgia Southern Eagles football team

Last updated

2025 Georgia Southern Eagles football
Conference Sun Belt Conference
DivisionEast Division
Record4–5 (2–3 Sun Belt)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Ryan Aplin (2nd season)
Offensive scheme Multiple
Defensive coordinator Brandon Bailey (3rd season)
Base defense 4–2–5
Home stadium Paulson Stadium
Seasons
  2024
2026 
2025 Sun Belt Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
James Madison  6 0   8 1  
Coastal Carolina  5 1   6 3  
Old Dominion  3 2   6 3  
Georgia Southern  2 3   4 5  
Marshall  2 3   4 5  
Appalachian State  1 4   4 5  
Georgia State  0 5   1 8  
West Division
Southern Miss  5 0   7 2  
Troy  4 1   6 3  
Arkansas State  4 2   5 5  
Louisiana  3 3   4 6  
Louisiana–Monroe  1 4   3 6  
South Alabama  1 4   2 7  
Texas State  0 5   3 6  
Championship: December 5, 2025
As of November 11, 2025
Rankings from CFP Rankings

The 2025 Georgia Southern Eagles football team represent Georgia Southern University in the Sun Belt Conference's East Division during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Eagles are led by Clay Helton in his fourth year as the head coach. The Eagles play their home games at Paulson Stadium, located in Statesboro, Georgia. [1]

Contents

Preseason

Media poll

In the Sun Belt preseason coaches' poll, the Eagles were picked to finish second place in the East division. [2]

Offensive linemen Caleb Cook and Pichon Wimbley and wide receiver Josh Dallas were awarded to be in the preseason All-Sun Belt first team offense. [3] Defensive lineman Latrell Bullard, linebacker Brendan Harrington and defensive back Chance Gamble were named to the All-Sun Belt first team defense. Punter Alex Smith was named to the All-Sun Belt first team special teams.

Wide receiver Dalen Cobb and defensive back Tracy Hill Jr. were named to the second team.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 309:30 p.m.at Fresno State * FS1 L 14–4236,801
September 67:30 p.m.at USC *FS1L 20–5966,514
September 137:00 p.m. Jacksonville State * ESPN+ W 41–3424,585
September 207:00 p.m. Maine *
  • Paulson Stadium
  • Statesboro, GA
ESPN+W 45–1723,217
September 271:30 p.m.at James Madison ESPN+L 10–3525,029
October 98:00 p.m. Southern Miss
  • Paulson Stadium
  • Statesboro, GA
ESPN2L 35–3820,032
October 187:00 p.m. Georgia State Dagger-14-plain.png
ESPN+W 41–2425,428
October 257:00 p.m.at Arkansas State ESPN+L 24–3416,341
November 67:30 p.m.at Appalachian State ESPN2W 25–2331,876
November 156:00 p.m. Coastal Carolina
  • Paulson Stadium
  • Statesboro, GA
ESPN+
November 221:00 p.m. Old Dominion
  • Paulson Stadium
  • Statesboro, GA
ESPN+
November 29at Marshall
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • All times are in Eastern time

[4] [5]

Game summaries

at Fresno State

Georgia Southern Eagles (0–0) at Fresno State Bulldogs (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Eagles770014
Bulldogs103151442

at Valley Children's StadiumFresno, CA

  • Date: August 30, 2025
  • Game time: 6:30 PM PDT
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 36,801
  • Referee: Christian Watson
  • TV announcers (FS1): Dan Hellie (play-by-play) and Petros Papadakis (analyst)
Game information
StatisticsGASOFRES
First downs1329
Total yards242527
Rushing yards84351
Passing yards158176
Passing: Comp–Att–Int17–28–120–27–2
Time of possession21:5938:01
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia SouthernPassing JC French IV 17/28, 158 yards, 2 TD, INT
RushingOJ Arnold9 carries, 41 yards
ReceivingCamden Brown4 receptions 55 yards, TD
Fresno StatePassing E. J. Warner 20/27, 176 yards, 2 INT
RushingBryson Donelson23 carries, 167 yards, TD
ReceivingJayon Farrar3 receptions, 33 yards

at USC

Georgia Southern Eagles (0–1) at USC Trojans (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Eagles677020
Trojans2110141459

at Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, CA

  • Date: September 6, 2025
  • Game time: 4:30 PM PDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 83 °F (28 °C) • Wind: W at 8 miles per hour (13 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 66,514
  • Referee: Jason Nickleby
  • TV announcers (FS1): Connor Onion (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich (analyst)
Game information
StatisticsGASOUSC
First downs2628
Total yards377755
Rushing yards142309
Passing yards235446
Passing: Comp–Att–Int24–45–120–30–0
Time of possession29:4830:12
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia SouthernPassingJC French IV19/35, 179 yards, 2 TD, INT
RushingJamarian Samuel4 carries, 58 yards
ReceivingCamden Brown3 receptions, 75 yards, 2 TD
USCPassing Jayden Maiava 16/24, 412 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Waymond Jordan 16 carries, 167 yards, TD
Receiving Makai Lemon 4 receptions, 158 yards, 2 TD

Jacksonville State

Jacksonville State Gamecocks (1–1) vs Georgia Southern Eagles (0–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Gamecocks141010034
Eagles171401041

at Paulson StadiumStatesboro, GA

  • Date: September 13, 2025
  • Game time: 7:00 PM EDT
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Danny Waugh (play-by-play), Jayson Foster (analyst) and Whitney Haworth (sideline)
Game information
StatisticsJVSTGASO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Jacksonville StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Georgia SouthernPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Maine (FCS)

Maine Black Bears (FCS) (0–3) vs Georgia Southern Eagles (1–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Black Bears (FCS)773017
Eagles710141445

at Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA

  • Date: September 20, 2025
  • Game time: 7:00 PM EDT
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Danny Waugh (play-by-play), Jayson Foster (analyst) and Skye Taylor (sideline)
Game information
StatisticsMEGASO
First downs1728
Total yards248516
Rushing yards109206
Passing yards139310
Passing: Comp–Att–Int19-34-122-37-1
Time of possession31:3028:30
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MainePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Georgia SouthernPassingJC French IV19/31, 253 yards, 1 TD, INT
RushingOJ Arnold13 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingCamden Brown6 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD

at James Madison

Georgia Southern Eagles (2–2) vs James Madison Dukes (2–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Eagles037010
Dukes71414035

at Bridgeforth StadiumHarrisonburg, VA

  • Date: September 27, 2025
  • Game time: 1:30 p.m.
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Curt Dudley (play-by-play), Delvin Joyce (analyst) and David Hulvey (sideline)
Game information
StatisticsGASOJMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia SouthernPassing
Rushing
Receiving
James MadisonPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Southern Miss

Southern Miss Golden Eagles (3–2) vs Georgia Southern Eagles (2–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Golden Eagles7217338
Eagles70141435

at Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA

  • Date: October 9, 2025
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 67 °F (19 °C)
  • Game attendance: 20,032
  • Referee: Ted Pitts
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Jay Alter (play-by-play) and Rocky Boiman (analyst)
Game information
StatisticsUSMGASO
First downs2524
Total yards421395
Rushing yards18482
Passing yards237313
Passing: Comp–Att–Int19–28–024–43–3
Time of possession30:5729:03
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southern MissPassing Braylon Braxton 19/28, 237 yards, 2 TD
RushingJeffery Pittman31 carries, 140 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingElijah Metcalf4 receptions, 62 yards
Georgia SouthernPassingJC French IV24/43, 313 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
RushingOJ Arnold13 carries, 56 yards
ReceivingCamden Brown12 receptions, 158 yards, TD

Georgia State (Modern Day Hate)

Georgia State Panthers (1–5) at Georgia Southern Eagles (2–4) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers7107024
Eagles31072141

at Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA

  • Date: October 18, 2025
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game attendance: 25,428
  • Referee: Trennis Livingston
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Danny Waugh (play-by-play), Jayson Foster (analyst) and Whitney Haworth (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
  • GASO – Tripp Bryant 38-yard field goal, 12:19. Eagles 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 2:36.
  • GAST – Cameran Brown 15-yard run (Liam Rickman kick), 4:52. Panthers 7–3. Drive: 13 plays, 88 yards, 7:21.
Second quarter
  • GASO – Camden Brown 20-yard pass from JC French IV (Tripp Bryant kick), 13:37. Eagles 10–7. Drive: 14 plays, 70 yards, 6:15.
  • GAST – Liam Rickman 31-yard field goal, 7:55. Tied 10–10. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 5:42.
  • GAST – Ted Hurst 5-yard pass from Cameran Brown (Liam Rickman kick), 0:46. Panthers 17–10. Drive: 10 plays, 90 yards, 3:28.
  • GASO – Tripp Bryant 46-yard field goal, 0:00. Panthers 17–13. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 0:46.
Third quarter
  • GASO – JC French IV 4-yard run (Tripp Bryant kick), 8:08. Eagles 20–17. Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 3:01.
  • GAST – Rashad Amos 3-yard run (Liam Rickman kick), 3:02. Panthers 24–20. Drive: 10 plays, 83 yards, 5:01.
Fourth quarter
  • GASO – Weston Bryant 1-yard run (Tripp Bryant kick), 14:58. Eagles 27–24. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:04.
  • GASO – Camden Brown 16-yard pass from JC French IV (Tripp Bryant kick), 9:50. Eagles 34–24. Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 3:29.
  • GASO – Dalen Cobb 5-yard pass from JC French IV (Tripp Bryant kick), 4:33. Eagles 41–24. Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 3:53.
StatisticsGASTGASO
First downs2725
Total yards444420
Rushes–yards34–16442–208
Passing yards280212
Passing: Comp–Att–Int29–38–018–27–0
Turnovers10
Time of possession32:2027:40
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia StatePassingCameran Brown29/38, 280 yards, TD
RushingCameran Brown15 carries, 120 yards, TD
ReceivingJavon Robinson7 receptions, 71 yards
Georgia SouthernPassingJC French IV17/25, 210 yards, 3 TD
RushingJC French IV12 carries, 85 yards, TD
ReceivingOJ Arnold4 receptions, 85 yards

at Arkansas State

Georgia Southern Eagles (3–4) at Arkansas State Red Wolves (3–4) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Eagles1470324
Red Wolves71071034

at Centennial Bank StadiumJonesboro, AR

  • Date: October 25, 2025
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 68 °F (20 °C) • Wind: 7 mph
  • Game attendance: 16,341
  • Referee: Steven Robinson
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Graham Doty (play-by-play), Pete Cordelli (analyst) and Darrell Greene (sideline)
Game information
StatisticsGASOARST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia SouthernPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Arkansas StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Appalachian State (Deeper Than Hate)

Georgia Southern Eagles (3–5) vs Appalachian State Mountaineers (4–4) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Eagles9103325
Mountaineers0361423

at Kidd Brewer StadiumBoone, NC

  • Date: November 6, 2025
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 46 °F (8 °C) • Wind: SE 3 mph
  • Game attendance: 31,876
  • Referee: Jeremy Parker
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Courtney Lyle (play-by-play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)
Game information
StatisticsGASOAPP
First downs2523
Total yards494425
Rushing yards14277
Passing yards352348
Passing: Comp–Att–Int25–37–034–51–1
Time of possession32:2027:39
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia SouthernPassingJC French IV25/37, 352 yards, TD
RushingOJ Arnold20 carries, 105 yards
ReceivingMarcus Sanders Jr.6 receptions, 127 yards, TD
Appalachian StatePassing AJ Swann 34/51, 348 yards, 2 TD, INT
RushingJaquari Lewis6 carries, 50 yards, TD
ReceivingJaden Barnes13 receptions, 160 yards, TD

Coastal Carolina

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (0–0) vs Georgia Southern Eagles (4–5) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Chanticleers0
Eagles0

at Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA

  • Date: November 15, 2025
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. EDT
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
StatisticsCCUGASO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Coastal CarolinaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Georgia SouthernPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Old Dominion

Old Dominion Monarchs (0–0) vs. Georgia Southern Eagles (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Monarchs0
Eagles0

at Paulson Stadium • Statesboro, GA

  • Date: November 22, 2025
Game information
StatisticsODUGASO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Old DominionPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Georgia SouthernPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Personnel

2025 Georgia Southern Eagles football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
WR 1Dalen CobbSr
QB 2Tyler Budge Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 4Camden BrownSr
WR 5Marcus Sanders Jr.Sr
RB 6David MbadingaJr
TE 7Ahmon GreenGS
QB 9Weston BryanFr
QB 10Charlie JohnstonFr
WR 11Brian Green Jr. Redshirt.svg  So
QB 12 JC French Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 13Dylan Gary Redshirt.svg  Jr
QB 14Turner Helton Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 15Taylor Bradshaw Redshirt.svg  So
RB 16Jamarian Samuel Redshirt.svg  Sr
QB 17Trey Townsend Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 18K. D. Dorsey Redshirt.svg  So
WR 19Josh Dallas Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 20Terrance Gibbs Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 22O. J. ArnoldSr
WR 24Peyton PlottFr
RB 26Antavious Murphy Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 28J'Shawn Anderson Redshirt.svg  So
RB 29Bre'Lan MareusFr
RB 33Bryce Baker Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 35Taeo Todd Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 37Foster OrrisFr
WR 38Kevin Douglas Redshirt.svg  So
WR 40Brandon PaulFr
TE 48Aubrey Heath Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 50Jaylen Slaughter Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 51Matthew Williams Redshirt.svg  So
OL 53Ty Furnish Redshirt.svg  Sr
OL 54Chance CarrollGS
OL 55Ethan Williams Redshirt.svg  So
OL 56Bryce Miller Redshirt.svg  So
OL 57Chandler Strong Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 58Kyle FrazierGS
OL 59Brandon StonerFr
OL 63Colin Alexander Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 64Caelan WilliamsGS
OL 66Johnnie Brown III Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 67Joshua FordFr
OL 68Jace MoldenFr
OL 70Jalen Burgess Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 71Robert Wright Jr. Redshirt.svg  So
OL 73Zach Pearson Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 74Pichon WimbleySr
OL 76Kingtriton Samuela Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 77Ike TurnerFr
OL 78Caleb Cook Redshirt.svg  Sr
WR 80Jordan Woolen Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 81Jeremiah WareFr
TE 82Jackson Long Redshirt.svg  Jr
TE 83Elija Walton Redshirt.svg  So
TE 84J. P. Mikhael Redshirt.svg  So
TE 86Henry GregoryFr
TE 87River Helms Redshirt.svg  Sr
WR 88Carmelo Mays Redshirt.svg  Fr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
LB 1Brandon Tyson Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 2Brendan HarringtonGS
LB 4Davon Hicks Redshirt.svg  Sr
DB 5Ayden JacksonJr
DL 6Jacob FergusonGS
DB 9Justin Meyers Redshirt.svg  Sr
LB 10Jacob Hammonds Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 11Antonio White Jr. Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 12Tracy Hill Jr. Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 13Ethan PounceyGS
DB 14Prince Green III Redshirt.svg  Sr
LB 15Holden Trice Redshirt.svg  So
DB 16A. J. Brown Sr. Redshirt.svg  So
DB 17Jayden Davis Redshirt.svg  So
DL 18M. J. Stroud Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 19Fabo ChaneyFr
DB 20Jaquari Brown Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 22Elijah FfrenchFr
DB 23Dorrian Smith Redshirt.svg  Sr
DB 24Phillip Gladney Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 26Chris Crouch Redshirt.svg  Sr
DL 27Branden Palmer Redshirt.svg  So
DB 28Elijah McDowell Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 29Devin Collier Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 30C. J. Allen Jr. Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 31Chance Gamble Redshirt.svg  Sr
DB 32Jaylen Bentley Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 34JaMari Whitehead Redshirt.svg  So
LB 35Caleb ButlerFr
DB 36Jadaan Cooper Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 38Jeremiah Holmes Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 39Temirez Williams Jr. Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 41Brandon Alford Redshirt.svg  So
LB 42Braxtin McLesterFr
LB 43Ethan JohnsonFr
DL 44Nigel Eldridge Jr.Fr
LB 45Colton VeltkampFr
DL 48Amari WilsonFr
DB 49Amar Jenkins Redshirt.svg  Jr
DL 50Caleb EllisFr
DL 51Kebba Secka Redshirt.svg  So
DL 55Korey Jordan Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 57Latrell BullardSr
DL 90Da'Shawn DavisSr
DL 91Davion Rhodes Redshirt.svg  Sr
DL 92Marcus Downs Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 93Caleb MooreSo
DL 94Elijah FearsFr
DL 95Kwon McGinneyJr
DL 96Jeremiah TicketFr
DL 95Alijah Lacey Redshirt.svg  So
DL 97Eli Anders Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 98Uche Iloh Redshirt.svg  So
DL 99Devan LoweJr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
P 25Alex SmithJr
LS 46Gavin KurpisFr
LS 89Jackson WheelerGS
K 91Evan Scruggs Redshirt.svg  Fr
LS 93Gaines Wood Redshirt.svg  Jr
K 95Tripp BryantFr
K 98T. J. Hartley III Redshirt.svg  So
K 99Donal DempseyFr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Ryan AplinOffensive coordinator/quarterbacks
  • Brandon BaileyDefensive coordinator/safeties
  • Blake Wilson – Special teams coordinator
  • Zach Lankford – Offensive line/run game coordinator
  • Anthony Beck II – Assistant special teams coordinator
  • Ced Douglas – Defensive linemen
  • Alex Garwig – Linebackers
  • Taylor Reed – Running backs
  • Darius Safford – Defensive backs
  • Bryan Schor – Tight ends
  • B. J. Johnson – Outside receivers
  • Damion WillisInside receivers
  • Zak Mizell – Assistant quarterbacks
  • Drew Gaither – Assistant linebackers
  • Keenan Murphy – Assistant offensive line
  • Dillon Springer – Assistant defensive line
  • Alex Zettler – Assistant safeties
  • Caleb Heintz – Offensive analyst
  • Dre Farris – Graduate assistant

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Roster
Last update: 08/30/2025

References

  1. "2025 Football Coaching Staff". Georgia Southern University Athletics. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  2. "Sun Belt Announces 2025 Football Preseason Awards & Poll". sunbeltsports.org. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  3. "Nine Eagles Picked As Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference". Georgia Southern University Athletics. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  4. "2025 Georgia Southern Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  5. "2025 Football Schedule". Georgia Southern University Athletics. Retrieved March 14, 2025.
  6. "Georgia Southern Eagles vs Appalachian State Mountaineers". oddsshark.com. November 6, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.