McKinnon scores twice in third quarter in GSU spring game

STATESBORO -- Behind two third quarter scores from Jerrick McKinnon (Marietta, Ga.), the Georgia Southern Blue team defeated the White team 16-6 in the annual Blue White spring game at Allen E. Paulson Stadium.

A crowd of approximately 2,500 came out to support the Eagles and honor the senior class, who was presented with their Southern Conference Championship rings prior to the start of the game. Also honored at the game were honorary captains Frankie Johnson, James Young, Chris Chambers, Kevin Jackson and Raja Andrews.

The Blue team struck for two touchdowns in less than five minutes in the third quarter to break open what was a close 6-3 game. McKinnon capped off a 90-yard drive with a 20-yard keeper around the right end to put the Blue team back on top 9-6 with less than five minutes left in the quarter and struck again with 1:02 left on a 75-yard pass to B.J. Johnson (Woodruff, S.C.) to go up by 10 points. The White team drove into the red zone between the two scoring drives but turned the ball over on downs after a 1-yard stop for a loss by Josh Gebhardt (Douglasville, Ga.).

McKinnon finished the day with 83 yards on 14 carries on the ground and completed just the one touchdown pass out of three attempts on the day. Darrieon Robinson added 57 yards to the Blue team's total of 171 yards rushing. White team's Seon Jones (Flowery Branch, Ga.) led all rushers with 95 yards on 20 carries. The White squad combined for 230 yards rushing and got 60 or more yards from Tray Butler (Stockbridge, Ga.) and Ezayi Youyoute (Wauchula, Ga.).

The White team had previously held a three-point advantage after starting the second quarter with a 36-yard touchdown run from the freshman Jones. The extra point attempt by Charlie Brower was blocked by newcomer Valdon Cooper (Elberton, Ga.), but the block did not seem to phase the White offense, who bounced right back on their next possession with a 48-yard drive. The drive, however, was halted in the red zone after Brent Russell (Comer, Ga.) forced a fumble on the 12-yard line that was recovered by the Blue defense.

The Blue team controlled the ball for nearly the entire first quarter but produced just a 19-yard field goal from Kyle Morris (Marietta, Ga.). After the Blue defense forced a three-and-out on the White team's first drive of the game, The Blue offense embarked on a 14-play drive that covered 78 yards in just over eight minutes and ended with the first points of the game.