Postgame Notes from the JLab Birmingham Bowl

POSTGAME NOTES: Georgia Southern 29, App State 10
 
In their first bowl matchup and the third postseason matchup in the storied series history, Georgia Southern prevailed to cut App State's all-time lead to 21-19-1. It was the two teams' first meeting outside of either Boone or Statesboro.
 
App State's bowl record fell to 7-2. The Mountaineers have appeared in bowl games in nine of their first 11 bowl-eligible seasons.
 
The Dec. 29 date marked the latest game date in program history, and it was exactly one month after the Nov. 29 regular season finale.
 
With a depleted roster due to injuries and departures, first-time starters included OL Lance Williams, RB Jaquari Lewis, QB Noah Gillon, WR Doopah Coleman and DT Saint Farrior.
 
OFFENSE
 
Making his collegiate debut, backup quarterback Matthew Wilson became the first Mountaineer QB to rush for 100 yards in a game (110) since 2020 when Zac Thomas had 109 vs. ULM. It's App State's fourth triple-digit QB rushing performance in the FBS. Taylor Lamb had a pair of 100-yard efforts in 2015 and 2016.
 
Wilson's second quarter 6-yard touchdown run accounted for the Mountaineers' only touchdown of the game.
 
In his first collegiate start at running back, Jaquari Lewis ran for 55 yards on 16 carries and had a team-high five catches for 35 yards.
 
Making his final collegiate appearance, fifth-year senior Dalton Stroman had three catches for 96 yards. He finished his career as the program's all-time leader in yards per reception at 18.4.
 
DEFENSE
 
Ethan Johnson produced App State's lone takeaway with a fourth-quarter interception. In his fourth year playing and third year as a full-time starter, Johnson collected his second career interception. He was among the nation's leaders in passes defended with 14.
 
Aiden Benton and Saint Farrior shared the Mountaineers' lone sack.
 
Colton Phares led all players with a career-high 12 tackles and finished the season with a team-best 101.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
 
Freshman Max Guest logged his first career kick returns. He returned three for 68 yards with a long of 30.