Behind 360-rushing yards, including a game-best 99 from junior J.J. Wilcox, and three defensive interceptions, Georgia Southern downed Maine, 35-23, in a Football Championship Subdivision quarterfinal playoff game at Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, GA. The Eagles advance to the semifinals to play North Dakota State next weekend, while the Black Bears finish their season with a 9-4 overall record.
Leading 14-0 in the first quarter, Georgia Southern (11-2) used three touchdowns by Jaybo Shaw to open up a 35-17 margin in the third quarter. Maine capped the game's scoring with a three-yard touchdown reception by John Ebeling from quarterback Warren Smith.
After trailing by 14, the closest Maine every got to Georgia Southern was in the second quarter when kicker Brian Harvey nailed a 21-yard filed goal to trimmed the Eagles lead to 14-10. However, Shaw scored just before halftime to increase Georgia Southern's lead to 21-10 heading into halftime. From there, the Eagles never looked back.
Wide receiver Damarr Aultman caught a team-best six balls for 106 yards, while Smith finished the game just 15-of-29 for 229 yards.