Georgia Southern Eagles at Sam Houston Bearkats
· R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Jimmerson, Watson help Sam Houston to 31-26 win over Georgia Southern at New Orleans Bowl
Brad Cornelsen served as acting head coach for Sam Houston (10-3) following KC Keeler’s departure at the end of the regular season to take over at Temple. The Bearkats won in their first bowl appearance at the FBS level after leaving the FCS to join Conference USA in 2023.
Watson was 23-of-28 passing for 213 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown to Simeon Evans that gave Sam Houston the lead for good at 14-7 with 5:46 left in the first half. Watson added a 2-yard touchdown run less than 3 minutes later and scored on a 1-yard run in the fourth that made it 28-19.
Georgia Southern (8-5) had 393 total yards and limited the Bearkats to just 267. But the Eagles committed five turnovers, including four interceptions.
Jalen White had 90 yards rushing and a touchdown on 16 carries for Georgia Southern. The Eagles made their third straight bowl appearance since the hiring of coach Clay Helton in 2022. Georgia Southern, which lost 23-21 to Buffalo at the 2022 Camelia Bowl and 41-21 to Ohio at the Myrtle Beach Bowl last season, is 3-4 all time in bowl games.
How To Watch
How can I watch Georgia Southern Eagles vs. Sam Houston Bearkats?
- TV Channel: Eagles at Bearkats 2021 College Football, week 1, is broadcasted on ESPN2.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Scoring Summary
 |
TD | 1st Period 12:02 | Jaylon Jimmerson 29 Yd Interception Return (Christian Pavon Kick) |
 |
TD | 2nd Period 9:15 | Josh Dallas 17 Yd pass from JC French (Gavin Stewart Kick) |
|
TD | 2nd Period 5:46 | Simeon Evans 33 Yd pass from Hunter Watson (Christian Pavon Kick) |
|
TD | 2nd Period 3:09 | Hunter Watson 2 Yd Run (Christian Pavon Kick) |
|
FG | 2nd Period 0:00 | Gavin Stewart 49 Yd Field Goal |
|
TD | 3rd Period 7:14 | Jalen White 1 Yd Run (Two-Point Run Conversion Failed) |
|
FG | 3rd Period 0:05 | Gavin Stewart 49 Yd Field Goal |
|
TD | 4th Period 11:37 | Hunter Watson 1 Yd Run (Christian Pavon Kick) |
|
FG | 4th Period 1:57 | Christian Pavon 21 Yd Field Goal |
|
TD | 4th Period 0:09 | JC French 1 Yd Run (Gavin Stewart Kick) |
Statistics
 GASO |
 SHSU |
|
|---|---|---|
| 23 | 1st Downs | 15 |
| 7-16 | 3rd down efficiency | 4-12 |
| 2-2 | 4th down efficiency | 0-0 |
| 393 | Total Yards | 267 |
| 212 | Passing | 213 |
| 20/35 | Comp/Att | 23/28 |
| 6.1 | Yards per pass | 7.6 |
| 181 | Rushing | 54 |
| 42 | Rushing Attempts | 32 |
| 4.3 | Yards per rush | 1.7 |
| 5-60 | Penalties | 4-30 |
| 5 | Turnovers | 1 |
| 1 | Fumbles lost | 1 |
| 4 | Interceptions thrown | 0 |
| 31:49 | Possession | 28:11 |
Game Information
Location: New Orleans, LA
Attendance: 13,151 · Capacity:
Sun Belt - East
| TEAM | OVR | CONF |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall | 10-3 | 7-1 |
| Georgia Southern | 8-5 | 6-2 |
| James Madison | 9-4 | 4-4 |
| Old Dominion | 5-7 | 4-4 |
| Coastal Carolina | 6-7 | 3-5 |
| App State | 5-6 | 3-5 |
| Georgia State | 3-9 | 1-7 |
Sun Belt - West
| TEAM | OVER | CONF |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 10-4 | 7-1 |
| Texas State | 8-5 | 5-3 |
| Arkansas State | 8-5 | 5-3 |
| South Alabama | 7-6 | 5-3 |
| UL Monroe | 5-7 | 3-5 |
| Troy | 4-8 | 3-5 |
| Southern Miss | 1-11 | 0-8 |
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