Eagles win ‘critical’ 8th

Postseason berth at stake as final game next against UGA.

STATESBORO — Jerick McKinnon ran for three touchdowns and threw two more as Georgia Southern posted its eighth 300-yard rushing game of the season in a 69-26, nonconference victory over Howard on Saturday.

McKinnon completed 2 of 4 passes, both for touchdowns, gaining 198 rushing yards on 16 carries. The quarterback entered the game needing 145 rushing yards to become the third different Eagle (8-2) in the past three years to reach the 1,000-yard mark. Howard (5-4) struggled to stop the Football Championship Subdivision’s top rushing attack, as four different Eagles went over 60 rushing yards Saturday.

Dominique Swope, who also scored a pair of touchdowns for the second consecutive week, added 98 yards on four carries. Jonathan Bryant tallied 67 yards on two carries, and William Banks chipped in with 62 yards on six carries. Howard was led by Greg McGhee, who ran for three touchdowns and threw another.

McKinnon has thrown five touchdown passes this season. The junior quarterback put the Eagles ahead 21-0 in the first quarter with a career-long 87-yard touchdown run.

“It was critical for us to get to eight wins today. We all know what’s at stake,” Georgia Southern head coach Jeff Monken said.

“We couldn’t afford to wait and cross our fingers at the record we were at. So it was important for us to get a win and get to eight wins on the year. That will hopefully position us for the postseason,” he said.

Georgia Southern helped its cause by scoring three touchdowns on its first six plays in the game. They finish the regular season next Saturday at Georgia.