A dominating defensive effort helped propel the Georgia Southern Eagles to a 19-3 win over Appalachian State and put them in first place in the Sun Belt Eastern Division where they are currently 3-1.

While the Eagle offense was only able to manage one touchdown and four field goals, the Georgia Southern defense held the Mountaineers to only six yards rushing with three sacks and forced two turnovers.

“I don’t know if you could play any better than what we did defensively,” Helton said. “Holding a team to six yards rushing allows some third and longs that helped created three sacks, a ton of pressures and two turnovers. We knew that was a key against a team that does a great job in the turnover battle. We played clean on offense and much of that credit goes to Max Johnson who may not have been at 100 percent but he was a true professional out there.”

“This is a great team win and we have really bonded so well together as a football team through highs and lows,” Helton added. “Tonight was a really special night, where we honored some of the greatest Eagles of all time with Tracy Ham, Paul Johnson and Adrian Peterson. I also just kept thinking about Erk Russell and the foundation he has led for this program and how important a game like this was for him and our community.”

Eagle players credit the game plan put in place by defensive coordinator Mike Mutz as the reason for the success Saturday night. Senior defensive back Chance Gamble also came up with his first interception at Paulson Stadium.

“We preached all week about going out and executing and I think we haven’t been doing a great job lately of doing that but we did tonight,” Gamble said. “Coach Mutz does a phenomenal job of calling the defenses schemes and also credit to our defensive line. Those guys are some dogs and when they can put the pressure and shut down the run it makes our jobs in the secondary so much easier. It was really special to get that interception because it was my first one here at Paulson and I just love our fans and the Statesboro community.”

The Eagle offense piled up 427 yards of offense including 325 yards passing but managed just one trip to the end zone and had to settle for a four-for-four night on field goals from Tripp Bryant to get their points. While proud of the team effort Helton said red zone efficiency is something they plan on working on this week.

“We played a great overall game but there are two areas we will have criticisms from tonight,” Helton said. “We had three huge penalties that really set us back. Those are just drive killers and we can’t have that. We held the ball 43 minutes and 54 seconds to 16 minutes for them. We continued making first downs and having a lot plays and kept the ball away from a good offense, but we have to be more efficient in the red zone area. Credit to Tripp Bryant for hitting all four field goals including a career long 48-yarder into a breeze. It’s great to have a kicker you can rely on.”

The Eagles are now in a familiar place as they enter November in first place in the Eastern Division of the Sun Belt, but don’t mention the word’s driver seat to coach Helton who knows things can go the other way just as quickly as getting to the top.

“Coach Nick Saban has a couple words when he hears people saying things like driver’s seat, he says it’s like rat poison,” Helton said. “We’ve been in this position and I remember two years ago we had a letdown and we fell short by one play on the last game of the season. The thing these guys that have been in that locker room will do is stay hungry and humble. We will not have egos. We’re passionate about winning the game, but we will move on tomorrow to the next one because the next one is the biggest one.”

Next up the Eagles host Marshall Saturday at Paulson Stadium.