App State came up short in a battle for first place in the Sun Belt East Division, falling 19-3 to Georgia Southern Saturday night in Statesboro.
The Eagles controlled the clock throughout the game, holding the ball for nearly 44 minutes compared to just 16 minutes for the Mountaineers. Georgia Southern built a 16-3 lead early in the fourth quarter with a touchdown and four field goals.
App State had a chance to get back within one score late in the game after big receptions from Chris Lofton and Nate Branch moved the Mountaineers to the Georgia Southern 2-yard line. However, an end-zone interception with just over three minutes remaining ended the scoring threat.
James London provided App State’s only points with a 33-yard field goal just before halftime. Malachi Singleton threw for 215 yards, with Lofton leading the receivers with 82 yards. Colton Phares paced the Mountaineers defensively with 12 tackles.
The loss drops App State to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in Sun Belt play, while Georgia Southern improves to 4-4 overall and 3-1 in the conference.
The Mountaineers return home next weekend to host Georgia State in Boone.