Backup quarterback Jerick McKinnon scored two touchdowns as a running back and Laron Scott returned a kickoff 99 yards for a third-quarter touchdown to lead Georgia Southern to a 31-17 season-opening victory over Samford Saturday evening in Birmingham, Ala.

      The Eagles broke a three-game losing streak to Samford in beating the Bulldogs for the first time since they joined the Southern Conference in 2008.

      Georgia Southern plays Tusculum next Saturday in the home opener at Paulson Stadium at 6 p.m.

      Look for full coverage in Sunday's Statesboro Herald and on statesboroherald.com