# 2020 Georgia Southern Eagles football team

The 2020 Georgia Southern Eagles football team represented Georgia Southern University during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Eagles played their home games at Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia, and competed in the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference. They were led by third-year head coach Chad Lunsford.

## Preseason
### Sun Belt coaches' poll

The Sun Belt coaches poll was released on August 25, 2020. Georgia Southern was picked to finish 2nd in the East Division with 36 total votes.
East Division :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Appalachian State | 49 (9) |
| 2 | Georgia Southern | 36 |
| 3 | Troy | 32 (1) |
| 4 | Georgia State | 20 |
| 5 | Coastal Carolina | 13 |
West Division :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Louisiana | 47 (7) |
| 2 | Arkansas State | 40 (2) |
| 3 | South Alabama | 22 (1) |
| 4 | Texas State | 21 |
| 5 | Louisiana–Monroe | 20 |

### Preseason All-Sun Belt teams

The Eagles had five players selected to the preseason All−Sun Belt teams; three from the defense and two from special teams.

## Schedule

Georgia Southern had games against Boise State and Ole Miss, which were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They added a November game with Army on August 11. On October 7, the game against Appalachian State scheduled for October 14 was postponed to December 12 due to COVID-19 positive tests within the Mountaineers' football program.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 12 | 3:30 p.m. | Campbell* | Paulson StadiumStatesboro, GA | ESPNU | W 27–26 | 5,789 |
| September 26 | 12:00 p.m. | at No. 19 Louisiana | Cajun FieldLafayette, LA | ESPN2 | L 18–20 | 5,585 |
| October 3 | 7:00 p.m. | at Louisiana–Monroe | Malone StadiumMonroe, LA | ESPN+ | W 35–30 | 6,338 |
| October 17 | 4:00 p.m. | UMass* | Paulson StadiumStatesboro, GA | ESPN2 | W 41–0 | 4,856 |
| October 24 | 12:00 p.m. | at No. 25 Coastal Carolina | Brooks StadiumConway, SC | ESPNU | L 14–28 | 5,000 |
| October 29 | 7:30 p.m. | South Alabama | Paulson StadiumStatesboro, GA | ESPN | W 24–17 | 3,457 |
| November 7 | 1:00 p.m. | Troy | Paulson StadiumStatesboro, GA | ESPN3 | W 20–13 | 5,012 |
| November 14 | 3:00 p.m. | Texas State | Paulson StadiumStatesboro, GA | ESPN3 | W 40–38 | 4,478 |
| November 21 | 12:00 p.m. | at Army* | Michie StadiumWest Point, NY | CBSSN | L 27–28 | 5,078 |
| November 28 | 12:00 p.m. | at Georgia State | Center Parc StadiumAtlanta, GA (Modern Day Hate) | ESPN3 | L 24–30 | 4,523 |
| December 5 | 6:00 p.m. | Florida Atlantic* | Paulson StadiumStatesboro, GA | ESPN+ | W 20–3 | 3,867 |
| December 12 | 6:00 p.m. | Appalachian State | Paulson StadiumStatesboro, GA (rivalry) | ESPN3 | L 26–34 | 6,228 |
| December 23 | 3:30 p.m. | vs. Louisiana Tech* | Mercedes-Benz SuperdomeNew Orleans, LA (New Orleans Bowl) | ESPN | W 38–3 | 3,000 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after November 24 released prior to gameAll times are in Eastern time |||||||

## Game summaries
### Campbell

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Fighting Camels | 13 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 26 |
| • Eagles | 3 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 27 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GASO −34.5 | 58.5 |
| Statistics | Campbell | Georgia Southern |
| First downs | 17 | 20 |
| Total yards | 380 | 346 |
| Rushing yards | 143 | 284 |
| Passing yards | 237 | 62 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 26:04 | 33:56 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Campbell | Passing | Hajj-Malik Williams | 17/27, 237 yards, 2 TDs |
| Campbell | Rushing | Hajj-Malik Williams | 11 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD |
| Campbell | Receiving | Jai Williams | 4 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 7/13, 53 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Southern | Rushing | Shai Werts | 14 carries, 155 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Southern | Receiving | D. J. Butler | 3 receptions, 22 yards, 1 TD |

### At Louisiana

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Eagles | 0 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 18 |
| • No. 19 Ragin' Cajuns | 0 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 20 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| LA −13.5 | 52.5 |
| Statistics | Georgia Southern | Louisiana |
| First downs | 21 | 18 |
| Total yards | 447 | 438 |
| Rushing yards | 192 | 148 |
| Passing yards | 255 | 290 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 35:14 | 24:46 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 11/18, 255 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Georgia Southern | Rushing | J. D. King | 24 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Southern | Receiving | Wesley Kennedy III | 2 receptions, 105 yards |
| Louisiana | Passing | Levi Lewis | 18/32, 290 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Chris Smith | 4 carries, 54 yards |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Peter LeBlanc | 3 receptions, 64 yards |

### At Louisiana–Monroe

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Eagles | 7 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 35 |
| Warhawks | 3 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 30 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GASO −19.5 | 49.5 |
| Statistics | Georgia Southern | Louisiana–Monroe |
| First downs | 19 | 24 |
| Total yards | 369 | 426 |
| Rushing yards | 340 | 92 |
| Passing yards | 29 | 334 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 34:53 | 25:07 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 3/7, 29 yards |
| Georgia Southern | Rushing | J. D. King | 21 carries, 196 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Southern | Receiving | Beau Johnson | 1 reception, 17 yards |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Passing | Colby Suits | 31/54, 334 yards, 2 TDs |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Rushing | Colby Suits | 7 carries, 51 yards |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Receiving | Tyler Lamm | 5 receptions, 66 yards |

### UMass

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Minutemen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • Eagles | 14 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 41 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GASO −31 | 62 |
| Statistics | UMass | Georgia Southern |
| First downs | 10 | 20 |
| Total yards | 191 | 436 |
| Rushing yards | 111 | 308 |
| Passing yards | 80 | 128 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 29:09 | 30:51 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UMass | Passing | Mike Fallon | 7/12, 41 yards, 1 INT |
| UMass | Rushing | Will Koch | 4 carries, 41 yards |
| UMass | Receiving | Samuel Emilus | 4 receptions, 28 yards |
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 11/16, 128 yards, 3 TDs |
| Georgia Southern | Rushing | Wesley Kennedy III | 6 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Southern | Receiving | Malik Murray | 4 receptions, 68 yards, 1 TD |

### At Coastal Carolina

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Eagles | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| • No. 25 Chanticleers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| CCU −1 | 49 |
| Statistics | Georgia Southern | Coastal Carolina |
| First downs | 12 | 20 |
| Total yards | 218 | 382 |
| Rushing yards | 119 | 130 |
| Passing yards | 99 | 252 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 27:43 | 32:17 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 7/20, 94 yards, 2 INTs |
| Georgia Southern | Rushing | J. D. King | 15 carries, 67 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Southern | Receiving | Malik Murray | 2 receptions, 46 yards |
| Coastal Carolina | Passing | Fred Payton | 15/28, 252 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs |
| Coastal Carolina | Rushing | Shermari Jones | 5 carries, 44 yards |
| Coastal Carolina | Receiving | Jaivon Heiligh | 5 receptions, 107 yards |

### South Alabama

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jaguars | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| • Eagles | 0 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GASO −3.5 | 52 |
| Statistics | South Alabama | Georgia Southern |
| First downs | 16 | 15 |
| Total yards | 264 | 345 |
| Rushing yards | 64 | 250 |
| Passing yards | 200 | 95 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 28:19 | 31:41 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| South Alabama | Passing | Desmond Trotter | 20/27, 200 yards, 2 TDs |
| South Alabama | Rushing | Carlos Davis | 20 carries, 70 yards |
| South Alabama | Receiving | Kawaan Baker | 5 receptions, 65 yards |
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 5/9, 95 yards, 1 INT |
| Georgia Southern | Rushing | Wesley Kennedy III | 13 carries, 91 yards, 2 TDs |
| Georgia Southern | Receiving | Malik Murray | 1 reception, 38 yards |

### Troy

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Trojans | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| • Eagles | 0 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 20 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| TROY −3 | 52 |
| Statistics | Troy | Georgia Southern |
| First downs | 14 | 20 |
| Total yards | 235 | 411 |
| Rushing yards | 34 | 326 |
| Passing yards | 201 | 85 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 17:13 | 42:47 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Troy | Passing | Jacob Free | 21/47, 201 yards, 2 INTs |
| Troy | Rushing | Jamontez Woods | 3 carries, 23 yards |
| Troy | Receiving | Kaylon Geiger | 6 receptions, 49 yards |
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 12/13, 85 yards, 1 INT |
| Georgia Southern | Rushing | Gerald Green | 10 carries, 109 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Southern | Receiving | NaJee Thompson | 1 reception, 35 yards |

### Texas State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bobcats | 7 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 38 |
| • Eagles | 17 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 40 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GASO −12 | 49.5 |
| Statistics | Texas State | Georgia Southern |
| First downs | 18 | 20 |
| Total yards | 299 | 437 |
| Rushing yards | 30 | 386 |
| Passing yards | 269 | 51 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 18:41 | 41:19 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Texas State | Passing | Brady McBride | 7/13, 155 yards, 2 TDs |
| Texas State | Rushing | Brock Sturges | 6 carries, 31 yards |
| Texas State | Receiving | Marcell Barbee | 5 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 6/9, 51 yards, 1 INT |
| Georgia Southern | Rushing | Shai Werts | 21 carries, 120 yards, 3 TDs |
| Georgia Southern | Receiving | Wesley Kennedy III | 1 reception, 23 yards |

### At Army

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Eagles | 14 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 27 |
| • Black Knights | 0 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 28 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| ARMY –3 | 38.5 |
| Statistics | Georgia Southern | Army |
| First downs | 12 | 20 |
| Total yards | 311 | 268 |
| Rushing yards | 175 | 243 |
| Passing yards | 126 | 25 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 21:36 | 38:24 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 6/7, 80 yards, 2 TDs |
| Georgia Southern | Rushing | Wesley Kennedy III | 8 carries, 71 yards |
| Georgia Southern | Receiving | Malik Murray | 3 receptions, 41 yards |
| Army | Passing | Tyhier Tyler | 1/1, 25 yards |
| Army | Rushing | Tyhier Taylor | 35 carries, 121 yards |
| Army | Receiving | Chris Cameron | 1 reception, 25 yards |

### At Georgia State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Eagles | 0 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 24 |
| • Panthers | 3 | 10 | 0 | 17 | 30 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GSU –3 | 51 |
| Statistics | Georgia Southern | Georgia State |
| First downs | 13 | 22 |
| Total yards | 370 | 427 |
| Rushing yards | 296 | 55 |
| Passing yards | 74 | 372 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 30:48 | 29:12 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 4/7, 67 yards |
| Georgia Southern | Rushing | Logan Wright | 8 carries, 143 yards, 2 TDs |
| Georgia Southern | Receiving | Khaleb Hood | 1 reception, 44 yards |
| Georgia State | Passing | Cornelious Brown IV | 28/39, 372 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Destin Coates | 15 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Sam Pinckney | 10 receptions, 126 yards |

### Florida Atlantic

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Owls | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| • Eagles | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| FAU –2.5 | 40.5 |
| Statistics | Florida Atlantic | Georgia Southern |
| First downs | 16 | 18 |
| Total yards | 322 | 339 |
| Rushing yards | 133 | 269 |
| Passing yards | 189 | 70 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 23:15 | 36:45 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Florida Atlantic | Passing | Javion Posey | 7/15, 107 yards, 2 TDs |
| Florida Atlantic | Rushing | Javion Posey | 8 carries, 61 yards |
| Florida Atlantic | Receiving | Jordan Merrell | 3 receptions, 67 yards |
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Justin Tomlin | 3/12, 70 yards |
| Georgia Southern | Rushing | Justin Tomlin | 20 carries, 78 yards |
| Georgia Southern | Receiving | Logan Wright | 2 receptions, 65 yards |

### Appalachian State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Mountaineers | 0 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 34 |
| Eagles | 7 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 26 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| APP –9 | 45 |
| Statistics | Appalachian State | Georgia Southern |
| First downs | 17 | 16 |
| Total yards | 381 | 349 |
| Rushing yards | 173 | 204 |
| Passing yards | 208 | 145 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 34:52 | 25:08 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Appalachian State | Passing | Zac Thomas | 18/29, 208 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Appalachian State | Rushing | Nate Noel | 13 carries, 103 yards, 1 TD |
| Appalachian State | Receiving | Thomas Hennigan | 8 receptions, 64 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Miller Mosley | 5/14, 122 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs |
| Georgia Southern | Rushing | Justin Tomlin | 6 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Southern | Receiving | Dexter Carter Jr. | 1 reception, 78 yards, 1 TD |

### Louisiana Tech (New Orleans Bowl)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Eagles | 7 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 38 |
| Bulldogs | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GASO –4.5 | 51 |
| Statistics | Louisiana Tech | Georgia Southern |
| First downs | 15 | 17 |
| Total yards | 232 | 448 |
| Rushing yards | 113 | 322 |
| Passing yards | 119 | 126 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 25:33 | 34:27 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Louisiana Tech | Passing | JD Head | 9/14, 78 yards, 1 INT |
| Louisiana Tech | Rushing | Israel Tucker | 20 carries, 123 yards |
| Louisiana Tech | Receiving | Isaiah Graham | 3 receptions, 26 yards |
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 7/12, 126 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Southern | Rushing | Gerald Green | 16 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Southern | Receiving | Khaleb Hood | 1 reception, 65 yards, 1 TD |