Georgia Southern foils Furman

STATESBORO, Ga. - Driven by desperation, the Georgia Southern Eagles found heart and fortitude when all seemed lost Saturday.

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Jermaine Austin's 4-yard blast into the end zone with 1:02 left lifted the 14th-ranked Eagles to a thrilling 27-24 victory over top-ranked Furman before 19,808 fans in Paulson Stadium.

Georgia Southern (7-3, 5-2 Southern Conference) might have wedged its way into the Division I-AA playoff picture as well.

"I would think we have an opportunity. This was a quality win," Eagles coach Mike Sewak said.

Georgia Southern's triple-option offense produced 430 rushing yards and 510 yards overall.

Austin scored touchdowns on runs of 4, 2 and 4 yards while piling up 142 yards.

Quarterback Jayson Foster added 191 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries.

The Eagles' defense came up big as well, holding the Paladins 14 points and more than 100 yards below their season averages.

"Before the game, Tracy Ham came up to us and said, 'What better situation can you have?'" Foster said.

Ham threw a desperation pass to Frankie Johnson for a touchdown to beat Furman in 1985 for the Eagles first of six national championships.

That team was honored Saturday at halftime.

Foster and his teammates might have wondered what miracle was in store for them.

And sure enough, faced with a third-and-17 predicament at the 43 in the final minutes, Foster's looping, jump-ball pass fell into the arms of Chris Dickerson for a 35-yard gain, setting up the winning score and the fifth lead change of the game.

"I just saw the ball and went up and got it," said Dickerson, who was not the primary receiver on the play. "I've played a lot of basketball. I just posted (the defensive back) up and went up and got it."