Rapid Reaction: G. Southern 51 ULM 31

Georgia Southern played spoiler on homecoming and blew out ULM 51-31 on Saturday night at JPS Field at Malone Stadium.

The Warhawks (1-3, 0-1) were able to within seven points of Georgia Southern early in the fourth quarter, but the momentum from a 56-yard pick-six by Junior Williams dissipated after the Eagles (4-1, 2-0) added three touchdowns to close the game.

Matt Breida led Georgia Southern with 19 rushes for 149 yards and two touchdowns.

ULM quarterback Garrett Smith went 21-of-36 for 232 yards and three touchdowns but also threw three picks. The Warhawks were held to 279 yards of total offense.

Turning point: After a penalty-filled first quarter, Georgia Southern revved up its ground game and scored 21 points on rushing touchdowns by Breida, L.A. Ramsby and Wesley Fields. ULM was able to salvage a touchdown on a 2-yard pass from Garrett Smith to Harley Scioneaux to go into the half down 31-10.

It was over when: A struggling ULM offense found some rhythm and cut Georgia Southern’s lead to 31-24, but the Eagles pounded away on the ground and put it away with two rushing touchdowns from Breida and Ramsby.

Man ball: Even when ULM was able to get within a touchdown, Georgia Southern’s offense never backed away from the running game and rushed 67 times for 455 yards as a team. The Warhawk offense once again couldn’t find much production on the ground with only 47 yards on 26 carries.

No Perrier: Junior wide receiver Tre’ Perrier, a projected starter for ULM at wide receiver, did not play against Georgia Southern and was not listed on the pregame two-deep depth chart. Redshirt freshman D’Marius Gillespie took his place in the lineup.

Remembering “Fitz”: ULM held a pregame moment of silence for junior backup quarterback Daniel Fitzwater. A walk-on from Shreveport, Fitzwater died on Saturday morning

Next week: ULM is on the road for the first time in October at Tulsa. Georgia Southern returns to Statesboro and hosts New Mexico State in Sun Belt Conference play.

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