(AP) -- STATESBORO, Ga. (AP) - Georgia Southern used a relentless ground game to control the ball for nearly 42 minutes and beat South Carolina State 41-16 Saturday in the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
Twelve players totaled 323 yards on 77 carries for the Eagles (8-4), who will play at No. 2 seed William & Mary on Dec. 4. J.J. Wilcox rushed for two touchdowns and Russell DeMasi one for Georgia Southern, but special teams and defense also played a key role.
After Wilcox's first touchdown, following an 11-play, 80-yard drive, the Eagles (9-3) fumbled the kickoff, resulting in a safety. Later in the first quarter, Josh Gebhardt returned a fumble by Bulldogs quarterback Malcolm Long 34 yards to make it 16-0.
Another fumbled kickoff at the start of the fourth quarter produced another Georgia Southern safety. The Eagles also got three field goals from Adrian Mora.
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