BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Morgan Ellison ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns, and Indiana scored 31 straight points to start the game on its way to a 52-17 football win over Georgia Southern Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium in front of 42,886 fans. Despite falling behind early, Georgia Southern quarterback Shai Werts threw for two touchdowns and L.A. Ramsby eclipsed the 100-yard mark rushing to try and rally the Eagles late.

The Story
Two Georgia Southern turnovers led to 14 Hoosier points, and J-Shun Harris returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown as Indiana built a 31-7 halftime lead.

Trailing 14-0 after the punt return, Georgia Southern looked to be building a little offensive momentum, but Ramsby fumbled at the end of a 16-yard pickup. Ellison picked up 34 yards on Indiana's first play from scrimmage after the turnover, and Simmie Cobbs jumped on a fumble in the end zone for Indiana's third TD of the game.

Ellison took the handoff on the play and fumbled, but the officials ruled his knee down at the 1-yard line. The snakebitten Eagles suffered some bad luck when it was ruled after review that the ball was knocked out by Darrell Baker Jr. before the runner's knee was down, and Cobbs made a clear recovery in the end zone for the touchdown.

The Eagles moved the ball into Hoosier territory on their next possession, but Werts was stopped for no gain on 4th-and-1. After a 42-yard run up the middle by Cole Gest, the GS defense was able to hold the Hoosiers to a field goal and trailed 24-0 early in the second quarter.

Georgia Southern's second fumble, this time by Werts after a 7-yard gain, gave IU the ball at the Eagle 36, and Ellison took it in form a yard out seven plays later for a 31-0 Hoosier advantage.

The Eagles put together an eight-play, 77-yard scoring drive late in the half, and Werts hit a wide open Ellis Richardson down the sideline for a 23-yard touchdown. Werts ran for 26 yards and hit Richardson with another 17-yard pass to key the drive. It was the first GS touchdown for both players who are early in their respective careers in Statesboro.

A 71-yard pass from Lagow to Ian Thomas 39 seconds into the third quarter, and a 42-yard pass to Williams from Peyton Ramsey 3:39 later gave the Hoosiers a 45-7 cushion. GS kept chipping away, scoring two more times in the third quarter, the first on a 63-yard scoring pass from Werts to D'Ondre Glenn before Tyler Bass banged a 32-yard field goal through the uprights. The only scoring of the fourth quarter came late as Andre Brown Jr. returned a fumble 22 yards for the final score.

Werts threw for 129 yards and two scores while Ramsby went for 108 yards on the ground, his second time crossing the century mark in his career. Glenn had a big day in the passing games, catching three passes for 98 yards and a score. Defensively, R.J. Murray led the way with 12 tackles while Rashad Byrd tallied nine stops.

Next Up
The Eagles play their first true home game of the season when they take on Arkansas State in their Sun Belt Conference opener Wednesday, Oct. 4, in Paulson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m., and the game will be televised live on ESPN2.

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In order to expedite entry and provide a safe environment for all patrons and participants, Georgia Southern Athletics has implemented a Clear Bag Policy for all ticketed sporting events, effective Aug. 1, 2017. Fans can find the complete policy as well as an FAQ section at GSEagles.com/ClearBag.