Postgame Notes from App State vs. Georgia Southern

POSTGAME NOTES: Georgia Southern 25, App State 23
 
App State lost its third straight game, with all three being decided by eight points or less (average margin of defeat: 4.3 points).
 
The Mountaineers dropped to 1-4 in Sun Belt play (0-2 at home, 1-2 on the road).
 
App State still leads the all-time series against Georgia Southern by a 22-18-1 margin (15-6-1 in Boone).
 
OFFENSE
 
In his return to the starting lineup after starting the first four games of the year, AJ Swann completed 34-of-51 passes for 348 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. It was his most completions and attempts as a college quarterback and his second-highest yardage total behind a 368-yard effort in the season-opening win against Charlotte.
 
Swann connected 13 times with his favorite target of the night, Jaden Barnes, who finished with 160 yards and a touchdown. Barnes' 13 grabs were the most by a Mountaineer since Sean Price had 13 in 2012 against Illinois State. It's tied for the fifth-most catches in a game in App State history.
 
Barnes scored his team-leading eighth touchdown of the year. He has 22 catches in the last two games.
 
Tight end David Larkins had a third-quarter, 1-yard touchdown catch from Swann for the Mountaineers' first touchdown of the game.  
 
Freshman running back Jaquari Lewis rushed six times for 50 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown that made it a one-score game at 22-16 early in the fourth quarter.
 
DEFENSE
 
DJ Burks led all players with a season-high 12 tackles from his safety position.
 
One of the nation's leaders in passes defended, Ethan Johnson broke up two more passes to go with three solo tackles.
 
App State's two sacks in the game were from Dylan Manuel (his second as a Mountaineer) and Colton Phares (the first of his career).
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
 
Dominic De Freitas converted a 36-yard field goal to give App State three points as the first half clock expired. The true freshman has made 12 of 15 field goals this season, including all eight from inside 40 yards.
 
Ian Ratliff averaged 46.5 yards on four punts.
 
Khamani Alexander returned four kickoffs for an average of 22.5 yards per return.