The Georgia Southern Eagles highly anticipated 2025 season got off to a rough start after a 42-14 loss to Fresno State Saturday night in Fresno.
After lots of hype this offseason especially with the offensive skill position players on the team an explosive offense was expected. Unfortunately for the Eagles the story of the night was not being able to stop the run defensively as they gave up 351 rushing yards.
Georgia Southern got off to a rough start as they gave up a 17-yard rushing score as Rayshon Luke who drove in the opening TD to make the score 10-0 Bulldogs.
The Eagles responded quickly though as Camden Brown hauled in an 18-yard TD reception to make it 10-7. After an E.J. Warner pick to give Georgia Southern very good field position they were able to score once again on a 4-yard TD catch by their TE River Helms to give the Eagles a 14-10 lead.
Big Man with the Big-Time Catch!!!
FS – 10
GS – 14
2Q | 11:33#HailSouthern pic.twitter.com/NSajZvIYZt— Georgia Southern Football (@GSAthletics_FB) August 31, 2025
Unfortunately for Georgia Southern they couldn’t score again the rest of the game, however the defense was the main problem especially in the second half as they were outscored 29-0. This was a similar theme to last season when they had the 85th ranked defense in all of the FBS.
After a field goal by Fresno State before the first half ended to make it 14-13 they came out and scored quickly to start the second half on an 8 yard rushing TD to Bryson Donelson to make it 21-14 after the successful two point conversion.
Fresno State continued to pile on the points as they made it 28-14 after another Rayshon Luke rushing TD followed by a 3-yard rushing TD by Brandon Ramirez to really break it open with a 35-14 advantage.
The Bulldogs then scored one last time to end the game on a 29-yard TD run once again by Rayshon Luke for his third TD of the day.
While Georgia Southern’s defense was less than impressive in the second half, the offense was completely shut down. Georgia Southern quarterback JC French IV was only able to throw for 158 passing yards with two touchdowns and an interception throughout the game, while top receiver targets Josh Dallas and Dalen Cobb only combined to have 78 receiving yards and zero scores.
If Georgia Southern plans to shock the world with a win over USC next weekend the defense, especially the run defense, will have to be significantly better than it was this weekend. The Eagles will have to find an answer to USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, as well as star receivers Makai Lemons and Ja’Kobi Lane who will test the Georgia Southern secondary.
Clay Helton’s squad will face off against his old team in USC next weekend in Los Angeles from the Memorial Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
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