Georgia Southern overcomes penalties as Bynum shuts down Old Dominion

Georgia Southern left Old Dominion several ways back into Thursday's game, then used its pass rush to close the last one. Anthony Bynum sacked Ryan Huff with 1:20 remaining and MJ Stroud recovered the fumble, preserving the Eagles' 23-15 victory in Norfolk.

The turnover came with 1:20 remaining. Old Dominion had started that possession at its own 5-yard line and needed a touchdown and a two-point conversion to force overtime. Instead, Georgia Southern took over at the Monarchs' 15, picked up a first down and ran out the clock.

Bynum finished with eight tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss. His final rush settled a game in which the Eagles built a 16-point advantage but gave Old Dominion enough openings to keep the result uncertain into the closing minutes.

Gibbs supplies both touchdowns

Terrance Gibbs scored on an 11-yard run in the first quarter and an 11-yard reception from Turner Helton in the third. The rushing touchdown answered Old Dominion's opening score. The catch finished a sustained drive and pushed Georgia Southern's lead to 23-7 with 4:29 left in the third quarter.

Gibbs carried six times for 44 yards and caught two passes for 18. Tyrese Woodgett added 77 rushing yards on 16 carries, while Alex Taylor and Andre Greene Jr. each caught seven passes. Taylor finished with 75 receiving yards and Greene with 61.

Helton completed 23 of 30 passes for 205 yards, a touchdown and an interception. In its official game recap, Georgia Southern said Helton came off the bench for an injured Max Johnson. Georgia Southern used four passers, finishing with 272 yards through the air and a 405-266 advantage in total offense.

Tripp Bryant made all three of his field-goal attempts in the second quarter, connecting from 33, 43 and 31 yards as the Eagles turned a 7-7 tie into a 16-7 halftime lead. His two extra points gave him 11 points.

Old Dominion's comeback stops short

Huff brought the Monarchs back into range with a 71-yard touchdown pass to TJ Johnson with 11:13 left in the fourth quarter. Old Dominion added the two-point conversion to cut the deficit to eight. Johnson finished with two catches for 83 yards.

Georgia Southern nevertheless kept the Monarchs from scoring again. Old Dominion managed only 65 rushing yards on 32 attempts, and its two lost fumbles gave the Eagles possessions at opposite ends of the game. Aaron Sears recovered Devin Roche's first-quarter fumble; Stroud secured the last one.

Both teams made the night harder through penalties. Georgia Southern drew 13 flags for 120 yards and Old Dominion 12 for 100. The Eagles also threw an interception in scoring range before Johnson's long touchdown. Their defense preserved the margin those mistakes threatened to erase.

Georgia Southern improved to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in the Sun Belt. Old Dominion fell to 2-5 and 1-3 in conference play.

Sources

Georgia Southern at Old Dominion: final box score and play-by-play