Herd gives up 21-unanswered in Heavy Showdown to Prominent program

STATESBORO, Ga. (WV News) – Victory Slipped Away

The Marshall football team relinquished a 20-point lead in a heartbreaking 24-23 loss to the Georgia Southern Eagles on Saturday night.

Key Stats
Points by Quarter: Marshall 6-10-7-0 | Georgia Southern 3-0-0-21
Rushing Yards: Marshall 43-200 | Georgia Southern 31-94
Passing Yards: Marshall 18-29-1 for 189 yards | Georgia Southern 26-40-1 for 329 yards
Total Yards: Marshall 389 | Georgia Southern 423
First Downs: Marshall 18 | Georgia Southern 21
Penalty Yards: Marshall 11-79 | Georgia Southern 6-50
Fumbles Lost: Marshall 2 | Georgia Southern 1

Stat Leaders
Marshall Rushing:

• AJ Turner: 14-97
• Stone Earle: 12-45
• Braylon Braxton: 8-36

Georgia Southern Rushing:

• JC French: 11-25
• David Mbadinga: 3-22 and 1 TD
• Jalen White: 7-18

Marshall Passing:

• Stone Earle: 9-17-1 for 97 yards
• Braylon Braxton: 9-12-0 for 92 yards and 2 TDs

Georgia Southern Passing:

• JC French: 16-26-1 for 194 yards
• Dexter Williams II: 10-14-0 for 135 yards and 1 TD

Marshall Receiving:

• Christian Fitzpatrick: 5-49
• Carl Chester: 2-46
• Chuck Montgomery: 2-45

Georgia Southern Receiving:

• Dalen Cobb: 6-93
• Derwin Burgess Jr.: 7-84 and 1 TD
• Tyler Fromm: 4-71

Game Summary
The Thundering Herd (3-3) kicked off the game with a scoring drive that ended with Rece Verhoff drilling a 36-yard field goal. Shortly after, TyQaze Leggs recovered a fumble for Marshall, leading to another field goal from Verhoff, putting them ahead 6-0.

The Eagles (4-2) answered with a field goal from Gavin Stewart, completing a 42-yard kick. After another field goal from the Herd, Marshall finally reached the end zone in the second quarter with a short pass from Braylon Braxton to Toby Payne, making it 16-3 at halftime.

The momentum continued for Marshall in the third quarter, highlighted by an interception from Jacobie Henderson. Braxton capitalized on this turnover, connecting with Payne again on an 11-yard pass for another touchdown, extending the lead to 20 points.

However, the Eagles sparked a comeback, scoring a safety midway through the fourth quarter. They followed that with their first touchdown as Dexter Williams II took it in for a score.

Georgia Southern then capitalized on another Marshall fumble, with David Mbadinga scoring shortly after. Things worsened for the Herd as they fumbled again on their next possession. Williams II connected with Derwin Burgess Jr. on a 34-yard touchdown pass, giving the Eagles the lead with just a minute remaining.

Marshall had one last chance but ended the game with an interception.

Up Next
Marshall returns home to face the Georgia State Panthers at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Georgia Southern will host the James Madison Dukes at 4 p.m. on Saturday.