GoDaddy Bowl 2015, Georgia Southern vs. Bowling Green, 58-27: Full highlights, final score and more

Georgia Southern and Favian Upshaw ran all over Bowling Green to get a win in the 2015 GoDaddy Bowl

The Georgia Southern Eagles had never been in a bowl game prior to Wednesday night, but they looked like seasoned veterans in terms of playing postseason college football as they took on the Bowling Green Falcons in the 2015 GoDaddy Bowl. Even with starting quarterback Kevin Ellison being forced to leave the game with an injury, the Eagles were phenomenal in their efforts on Wednesday night.

The start of the first half had the looks of a game that was going to be all about Matt Johnson and Bowling Green. The nation’s leading passer was making big plays early on and helped the Falcons jump out to an early lead. However, the Eagles weren’t about to lay down and be steamrolled, though, as Ellison and Georgia State fought back to only be down four points going into halftime, 27-23.

Ellison wouldn’t return to the game and, somehow, that actually galvanized the Eagles offense even further behind speedy backup Favian Upshaw. Upshaw made an impact instantly as he rushed for a touchdown on Georgia State’s opening drive of the third quarter and then took a run 80 yards for a score on their next drive. After that, it was all Eagles.

Even as Johnson and Bowling Green tried to mount a comeback, they struggled with the wet conditions and turned the ball over. When they weren’t giving away possession, though, they just couldn’t get anything going. Georgia Southern simply pressed on the gas with Upshaw at quarterback and the Falcons didn’t have an answer as the Eagles captured the victory in the 2015 GoDaddy Bowl, a win in their first bowl appearance.

Three stars

Favian Upshaw was the spark that ignited the Eagles in this game when he came in for the second half. He took 12 carries for 199 yards and four rushing touchdowns on the evening in a truly masterful performance in the option offense.

Kevin Ellison may have only played the first half, but he was great in that one half of play. He only threw the ball five times, but one of them was good for a timely touchdown pass. He also rushed for 70 yards on 13 carries.

Matt Breida was the hard-nosed workhorse for what was an explosive Georgia Southern offense on Wednesday night. He took 15 carries for 68 yards and a score.

Highlights

Odds

Bowling Green entered the GoDaddy Bowl as 5.5-point favorites, a spread they obviously failed to cover in the loss. The two teams combined to shatter the 62.5-point O/U line, though.