On a chilly November night in Statesboro, Georgia, Georgia Southern didn’t just beat Coastal Carolina—they rewrote the script. With OJ Arnold carving up the field for 267 rushing yards and four touchdowns, the Georgia Southern Eagles outlasted the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 45-40 on November 15, 2025, at Allen E. Paulson Stadium. The win wasn’t just a spark—it was a statement. And it came with fireworks, trick plays, and a performance so electric it left fans breathless.
Arnold’s Masterclass in Power and Precision
267 yards. That’s not just a number. That’s more than the entire Coastal Carolina offense managed on the ground. OJ Arnold didn’t just run—he exploded. With 35 carries and an average of 7.6 yards per touch, he broke tackles, slipped through lanes, and turned short gains into long touchdowns. His fourth score, a 42-yard burst up the middle with 8:17 left in the fourth quarter, put Georgia Southern ahead 38-33. It was the kind of run that makes defenders question their life choices.But Arnold wasn’t alone. Camden Brown, the Eagles’ wide receiver, tied the school record with three touchdown catches—133 yards on just seven receptions. One was a 51-yard slant where he juke-tackled a defender mid-stride. Another? A back-shoulder catch in the end zone that had the crowd roaring like a jet engine. Quarterback JC French IV delivered精准 throws under pressure, finishing 22-of-33 for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Georgia Southern’s offense racked up 653 total yards—the most under fourth-year head coach Clay Helton.
Coastal Carolina’s Trickery Almost Pulled Off the Impossible
Don’t sleep on Coastal Carolina’s creativity. The Chanticleers didn’t just rely on their offense—they reinvented it. Wide receiver Bryson Graves took a lateral in orbit motion, then launched a 75-yard bomb to Jameson Tucker in the first quarter. Later, Robby Washington took a jet sweep and fired a 34-yard touchdown pass to Karmello English, cutting Georgia Southern’s lead to just two points. It was the kind of play you see in video games—not real life.
But those highlights came with cost. Coastal Carolina’s offense, normally ranked 29th nationally in rushing, struggled to sustain drives after those big plays. They finished with 40 points, yes—but they also turned the ball over twice, missed a crucial two-point conversion after Washington’s TD, and went 0-for-3 on fourth-down conversions in the second half. Their defense, which had held teams to under 24 points per game this season, gave up 45. And they couldn’t stop Arnold.
The Weather, The Crowd, The Stakes
It was a perfect night for football: 13°C, clear skies, a light 5 km/h ENE breeze. The stands at Allen E. Paulson Stadium were packed—over 24,000 fans, many wearing red, many holding their breath. Georgia Southern entered the game at 4-5, needing a win to stay alive in the Sun Belt East race. Coastal Carolina, at 6-3, was still in contention for a division title. But with James Madison sitting at 7-0 in conference play, every loss mattered. This one hurt.
Georgia Southern’s final score came not from a touchdown, but from a 38-yard field goal by Brendan Harrington with 3:52 left. It was the kind of clutch kick that defines seasons. Coastal Carolina answered with a late 58-yard touchdown pass from Brady Cook to Malik Jenkins, but the two-point try failed. Final: 45-40. The Eagles’ record improved to 5-5 overall, 3-3 in the Sun Belt. Coastal Carolina fell to 6-4, 5-2.
What This Means for the Sun Belt Race
James Madison still leads the East at 7-0. But now, Georgia Southern is right in the mix with Marshall (also 3-3), and Old Dominion (4-2) lurking. A win next week against Appalachian State could vault the Eagles into the top three. Meanwhile, Coastal Carolina’s path to a division title just got narrower. They’re now one game behind James Madison and Louisiana (3-3) with only two games left. The Chanticleers’ offense is explosive—but their defense is brittle. And against teams like Georgia Southern, that’s a death sentence.
Coach Clay Helton said after the game: “We knew they’d throw everything at us. We just had to outlast them. OJ? He’s a beast. But this team? They’re fighters.”
Behind the Numbers: Why This Game Was Historic
- Georgia Southern’s 653 total yards are the most under Coach Helton since he arrived in 2022.
- OJ Arnold’s 267 rushing yards are the highest single-game total for Georgia Southern since 2018.
- Camden Brown’s three TD receptions tie the school record set in 2017 by Trayveon Williams.
- Coastal Carolina became the first team this season to throw two touchdown passes from non-quarterbacks in the same game.
- The 85 combined points are the most scored in a Sun Belt game this season.
And here’s the kicker: Georgia Southern entered the game ranked 89th in rushing offense. They left it as the most dangerous ground attack in the conference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did OJ Arnold’s performance compare to other Sun Belt running backs this season?
OJ Arnold’s 267 rushing yards rank as the third-highest single-game total in the Sun Belt this season, behind only Louisiana’s Elijah Mitchell (281 yards in September) and Southern Miss’s D’Andre Ferby (275 in October). But Arnold’s efficiency—7.6 yards per carry—was the best among those top three performances. His four touchdowns also tied for the most in a single game by any Sun Belt back in 2025.
What led to Georgia Southern’s offensive breakthrough this season?
After struggling with consistency in 2024, Coach Clay Helton shifted to a more aggressive zone-read scheme, emphasizing speed and misdirection. The addition of new offensive coordinator Marcus Johnson in January brought a modernized playbook that blends college spread concepts with traditional triple-option elements. Arnold’s emergence as a focal point—alongside improved offensive line play—has turned Georgia Southern from a 28.3-point team into a 38-point-per-game juggernaut in their last four games.
Who are the key players to watch in Georgia Southern’s final two games?
Beyond Arnold and Brown, keep an eye on linebacker De’Shawn Taylor, who had 11 tackles and a forced fumble against Coastal Carolina, and kicker Brendan Harrington, whose 100% field goal accuracy in the last five games has been critical in close wins. Their final two games—against Appalachian State and Georgia State—could determine whether they qualify for a bowl game for the first time since 2021.
Why did Coastal Carolina’s trick plays work early but fail later?
Georgia Southern’s defense adjusted after the first quarter, recognizing Coastal Carolina’s reliance on motion and misdirection. By the third quarter, they were anticipating lateral plays and overloading the edges. The Eagles also forced two fumbles in the second half, both on trick plays that were poorly executed under pressure. While the creativity was impressive, it wasn’t sustainable against a disciplined, fast-reacting defense.
How does this win impact Georgia Southern’s bowl eligibility chances?
With a 5-5 record, Georgia Southern needs one more win to become bowl-eligible. Their final two opponents—Appalachian State (6-4) and Georgia State (1-9)—present contrasting challenges. A win over Georgia State is almost guaranteed, but a win over Appalachian State would lock them into a New Year’s Six bowl consideration if other results break their way. This victory proves they can compete with top-tier Sun Belt teams.
What’s next for Coastal Carolina’s offense?
Coastal Carolina’s offense remains potent but inconsistent. Their reliance on wide receiver passing plays is risky and unsustainable long-term. With quarterback Brady Cook battling a shoulder injury, the team may need to simplify their attack and lean more on running back Karmello English. Their final two games—against Southern Miss and Texas State—could determine whether they earn a conference championship berth or slip into the lower tier of bowl possibilities.
