Werts' long TD run gets Georgia Southern past Campbell 27-26

Updated Sep. 12, 2020 11:15 p.m. ET

Associated Press

STATESBORO, Ga. (AP) — Shai Werts threw a touchdown pass, and added a 41-yard TD run midway through the fourth quarter as Georgia Southern scored 21 straight points to beat Campbell 27-26 on Saturday in the season opener for both teams.

The game was delayed 40 minutes because of lightning. Campbell listed 17 players and Georgia Southern had 16 players inactive for the game due to various reasons.

Hajj-Malik Williams threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Kelsey to pull Campbell to within 27-26 with 15 seconds left, but Williams’ threw an incomplete pass over Julian Hill's head on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt.

Werts finished with 155 yards rushing and was 7-of-13 passing for 53 yards that included a 1-yard TD pass to D.J. Butler.

Williams was 17-of-27 passing 237 yards and had a threw a 40-yard touchdown pass Jai Williams. Hajj-Malik Williams also had an 8-yard scoring run in the third quarter.

Attendance was 5,789 at 25,000-seat Allen E. Paulson Stadium. Masks and six feet of social distancing were required. Students were also allowed on the grass hills on both sides of Bishop Field House.