By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Boise State wins shootout with Georgia Southern, 56-45
Packed Paulson watches wild home opener for 2024 season
Georgia Southern Boise
Georgia Southern quarterback J.C. French finds the end zone for a two-point conversion to provide the final margin in the Eagles' 56-45 loss to Boise State at Paulson Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31. - photo by SCOTT BRYANT/staff
From staff reports
Published: Sep 1, 2024, 3:04 AM

Playing before a crowd of 24,134 Saturday at Paulson Stadium to open the 2024 season, Georgia Southern and Boise State staged a wild shootout that saw the teams combine for 1,112 yards of offense, but the Eagles fell 56-45 to the Broncos.

Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty ran for a school-record six touchdowns and had 267 yards rushing to help overcome Georgia Southern.

Playing in his first game as the starting quarterback, Georgia Southern's J.C. French was 28-of-50 passing for 323 yards, two scores and no interceptions, and he added a rushing TD.

Georgia Southern Boise
Georgia Southern wide receiver Dalen Cobb, center, hauls in an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback J.C. French between Boise State defenders Ty Benefield, right, and Zion Washington in the second quarter at Paulson Stadium on Saturday. - photo by SCOTT BRYANT/staff

Boise State led 28-9 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the first half before the Eagles scored the next 21 points to take a 30-28 lead in the third quarter. The teams exchanged the lead twice more before Jeanty scored his final TD on a 75-yard run.

The Broncos jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter when Jeanty broke off two long touchdown runs. The Eagles got on the board in the second quarter when Jalen White punched it in from 2 yards out. A 31-yard field goal by Gavin Stewart brought the Eagles to within five early in the quarter. Right before the end of the half, Dalen Cobb hauled in an 18-yard touchdown catch on a spectacular grab to get the Eagles back into it.

Georgia Southern Boise
Georgia Southern running back Jalen White helps put the Eagles up 30-28 with a one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter against Boise State at Paulson Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31. White scored three touchdowns in the 56-45 Eagles loss. - photo by SCOTT BRYANT/staff

The Eagles built on the momentum from the end of the first half and French scored on an 11-yard run on the first possession of the second half. After a fourth-down stop by the defense deep in Boise territory, White scored from 1 yard out to give the Eagles their first lead of the game.
The Broncos responded with a 14-play drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Jeanty late in the third quarter, giving them the lead back. French connected with Beau Johnson on a 3-yard touchdown pass, but on the next play, Jeanty went 85 yards for his sixth score.

A late scoring run from White, his career-high third score of the game, capped the scoring.

The Eagles were down as many as 19 points but scored on six of seven drives to take the lead before the Broncos' run game took over, finishing with 372 yards and seven scores.

Georgia Southern (0-1) travels to Reno, Nevada, to take on the Wolf Pack of Nevada next Saturday at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on TruTV and streamed on Max.

Georgia Southern Boise
Georgia Southern defenders Da'Shawn Davis, left, Davon Gilmore, right, and Justin Meyers, bottom center, team up to stuff Boise State running back Sire Gaines short on fourth-and-one in the third quarter. - photo by SCOTT BRYANT/staff

Professional Eye Care of Statesboro presents Prep Sports Spotlight
Addie Smith – Junior, Tennis, Southeast Bulloch
Addie Smith
Addie Smith
JOSH AUBREY/staff
jaubrey@statesboroherald.com
Published: May 11, 2025, 2:34 PM

The Southeast Bulloch girl’s tennis team has advanced to the State Class AAA Final Four for the second straight year.

This week the Jackets will be looking for their first state title and head coach Tom Liu will be counting on junior Addie Smith to try and help accomplish that goal as they travel to Bainbridge.

 “As Addie’s coach, I’ve watched her grow into one of the most dependable and impactful players on our team,” Liu said. “She’s played a pivotal role at second doubles which is a spot that often determines the momentum or outcome of a match. That kind of pressure isn’t easy, but Addie has fully embraced it.

“Her confidence on court has come a long way, and she plays with a calm focus that helps settle both her partner and the team.”

 “I think this season has been very fun and successful as our team has played very well together,” Smith said “My teammates are all very supportive and committed to our team which makes the sport so easy to enjoy. Something I’ve learned from last year is how important it is to have a positive mindset.

“It’s easy to get discouraged when playing tennis, but I’ve learned that every point matters. I’m super excited about the possibility of our team winning state and I’m so proud of how far we’ve come.”