Get Ready for an Electrifying Thursday Night Showdown!
STATESBORO – The exciting Georgia Southern Eagles football team is gearing up to host Southern Miss in a thrilling Thursday night match, as they aim to keep their impeccable home record intact. This highly anticipated game is set to kick off at 8:06 PM and will be broadcast on ESPN2, with local radio coverage also available through the Georgia Southern Sports Network. Let’s dive into all the essential details about this matchup:
Match Preview: Game 6
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025 • Time: 8:06 PM
Venue: Statesboro, Georgia (Allen E. Paulson Stadium/Evans Family Field; Capacity: 25,000 seats)
Team Records:
- Southern Miss: 3 wins, 2 losses, 1 win in SBC (Sun Belt Conference)
- Georgia Southern: 2 wins, 3 losses, 0 wins in SBC
Broadcast Details
Television Broadcast: ESPN2
Play-by-Play Commentator: Jay Alter, Analyst: Rocky Boiman
Radio Broadcast: Georgia Southern Sports Network
Radio Play-by-Play: Danny Reed (Follow him on Twitter)
Analyst: Terry Harvin (Follow him on Twitter)
Sideline Reporter: Frank Sulkowski
You can also check the list of Radio Affiliates for further broadcasting options. For in-depth insights, peruse the GS Game Notes.
A Look at the Series History
This will be a historic encounter for the Eagles, marking their first football clash in the modern era against Southern Miss. Interestingly, the last time these teams met was back in 1941 in Hattiesburg, when Mississippi Southern triumphed over Georgia Teachers College with an astonishing score of 70-0. This matchup was particularly notable as it occurred during the last year of the Eagles' initial football chapter before they resumed play in 1982.
Head coach Clay Helton of Georgia Southern previously bested Southern Miss coach Charles Huff last season, when Huff held a coaching position at Marshall. In a remarkable feat, the Eagles mounted a comeback by scoring three touchdowns in the last 6:32 of the game, eventually winning 24-23—a dazzling display that became known as the largest second-half turnaround in the history of Paulson Stadium. Interestingly, Coach Huff carries a record of 1-1 in games played at Paulson as a head coach.
This contest is the first of two Thursday night games on the Eagles' schedule this season, with a subsequent match against App State on the horizon. Fans may recall that last year, Georgia Southern faced a challenging Thursday night stretch, losing both games against ODU and Sam Houston in the New Orleans Bowl.
Adding a personal connection to the game, Georgia Southern’s defensive tackle Caleb Moore previously played for Southern Miss, participating in 10 games during his freshman year, where he contributed 13 tackles in the 2024 season.
Thursday Night Lights
Since the revival of its football program in 1982, Georgia Southern boasts a record of 11 wins and 9 losses in Thursday matchups. Of these, they have performed impressively at home, recording seven victories out of nine games played at Allen E. Paulson Stadium. However, they have struggled slightly away, with a record of four losses against six games played on the road.
One of the most remarkable memories in the Eagles' history on this day came from the 1989 “Hugo Bowl,” where they faced harsh weather but emerged victoriously against Middle Tennessee State.
Countdown to Kickoff: Key Stats
- 10: Caleb Moore played 10 games for Southern Miss before transferring to Georgia Southern.
- 9: The Eagles have recorded nine touchdown passes in their opening five games, with seven attributed to their starting quarterback, JC French IV, and one each from Weston Bryan and Dalen Cobb.
- 8: JC French IV has successfully thrown a touchdown pass in eight consecutive games, showcasing his consistency and skill.
- 7: Georgia Southern has secured victories in seven of their nine Thursday night home games, reflecting their strength in front of their fans.
- 6: Under Coach Helton’s guidance, the Eagles have won five out of the six games in which they successfully completed 35 or more passes.
- 5: Quarterback JC French IV is just five completions away from breaking Georgia Southern’s career completions record, currently held by Kyle Vantrease at 371 completions.
- 4: This Thursday, the Eagles will sport their “Blue Out” uniforms, featuring blue helmets, jerseys, and pants. Historical trends indicate favorable outcomes, with four wins out of six games in this outfit.
- 3: Georgia Southern has enjoyed three consecutive home victories on Thursday nights.
- 2: Receiver Camden Brown has achieved back-to-back 100-yard receiving games; having impressive stats of 118 yards against Maine and 111 against James Madison. Notably, Raja Andrews is the only Eagle to have accomplished three consecutive 100-yard receiving games in 2008.
- 1: This matchup signifies the first encounter between Georgia Southern and Southern Miss in the modern era.
Coming Up Next:
Following this electrifying game, the Eagles will travel to face Georgia State on October 18, at 7 PM, available for viewing on ESPN+.
Featured Players:
- Dalen Cobb, Senior WR, 5'9"
- JC French IV, Redshirt Junior QB, 6'1"
- Camden Brown, Senior WR, 6'2"
- Weston Bryan, Freshman QB, 6'3"
- Caleb Moore, Sophomore DL, 6'2"
Are you excited for this riveting matchup? What do you think about the Eagles' chances against Southern Miss? Feel free to share your thoughts below!
