French throws a pair of touchdown passes and Georgia State edges Nevada 20-17

RENO, Nev. (AP) — JC French threw two touchdown passes and Georgia Southern’s defense stood up in the fourth quarter to edge Nevada 20-17 on Saturday.

With Nevada (1-2) trailing 20-17, Savion Red had the ball pulled loose at the 5 and Georgia Southern (1-1) recovered in the end zone for a touchback with 9 1/2 minutes left to end a six-minute, 11-play drive that began at the Wolf Pack 9. The turnover was the first for Nevada this season.

Nevada got the ball back on its 25 and drove to the Eagles 41 before being stopped on fourth-and-1 with 2:35 left. The final Wolf Pack drive started at its 3-yard line with a minute to go. A Hail Mary on the final play of the game from the Nevada 33 was caught by Jaden Smith at the 6 where he was brought down.

Just before the end of the first half, French hit Dalen Cobb for a 24-yard score and a 17-14 lead. Gavin Stewart’s 48-yard field goal made it 20-14 in the third.

Nevada outgained Georgia Southern 493-285 and held the Eagles to 42 yards on the ground.

French completed 23 of 37 passes or 243 yards.

Brendon Lewis was 23-of-35 passing for 266 yards and a score for the Wolf Pack. Cortez Braham Jr. had nine catches for 110 yards and a score, and Smith made four grabs for 103 yards.

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