Evans throws two touchdowns as James Madison escapes Georgia Southern, 27-24

JC Evans completed both of his passes for touchdowns, and James Madison survived Georgia Southern's late field-goal attempt to win 27-24 Saturday night in Statesboro. The Dukes improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Sun Belt after turning a four-point halftime deficit into a second-half lead and holding it through the final minute.

Georgia Southern drove into field-goal range on its last possession, giving Blake Ford an opportunity to tie the game from 52 yards. The kick was unsuccessful with 47 seconds remaining. James Madison then used its final possession to run out the clock, ending an evening in which the Eagles outgained the visitors 465-438.

Evans' first touchdown pass was the game's longest scoring play, a 57-yard connection with Cole Keller with 7:48 left in the third quarter. It extended James Madison's lead to 20-10 after Camden Coleman had found Jeremiah Harrison for a two-yard touchdown earlier in the period. Those consecutive scores reversed Georgia Southern's 10-6 halftime advantage.

Keller finished with four receptions for 108 yards. Evans' second completion came from one yard out to KD Mosley with 5:27 remaining, restoring a 10-point advantage at 27-17 after Georgia Southern had cut the lead to three. His two attempts produced 58 yards and two touchdowns, while he also carried seven times for 15 yards.

The Sun Belt Conference published highlights of the James Madison–Georgia Southern game.

Coleman completed 16 of 27 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown without an interception. James Madison's running game provided more sustained production through George Pettaway, who gained 151 yards on 21 carries. Seth Cromwell added 40 yards on nine attempts, and the Dukes finished with 209 rushing yards.

Max Johnson kept Georgia Southern close by completing 26 of 38 passes for 343 yards and three touchdowns. His 18-yard pass to Taylor Bradshaw opened the scoring, and a 25-yard touchdown to Taeo Todd with 12:50 left in the fourth quarter pulled the Eagles within 20-17. Johnson found Andre Greene Jr. for a six-yard touchdown with 2:27 remaining to make the score 27-24.

James Madison could not consume all the remaining time on its ensuing possession. Evans lost five yards and fumbled, but recovered the ball himself before the Dukes punted. Georgia Southern began its final drive at its own 15 with 1:47 left and advanced through completions to Josh Dallas, Terrance Gibbs and Alex Taylor.

Three incomplete passes from the James Madison 34 brought out the field-goal unit. The missed attempt ended Georgia Southern's opportunity to force overtime. Dallas led the Eagles with eight catches for 111 yards, while Tyrese Woodgett carried 11 times for 65 yards.

Morgan Suarez made field goals from 33 and 21 yards in the first half to keep James Madison within reach. The Dukes played without a turnover and took the ball away twice; Ken Willis recorded their interception. Georgia Southern fell to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in conference play after its second-half rally came up three points short.

Sources

ESPN final boxscore and play-by-play · James Madison official final box score and complete play log