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Top 25 roundup: Shai Werts leads Georgia Southern past No. 25 App State 34-14

Georgia Southern wide receiver Darion Anderson (81) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Shai Werts during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Appalachian State, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, in Statesboro, Ga. (John Amis / AP)
Georgia Southern wide receiver Darion Anderson (81) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Shai Werts during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Appalachian State, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, in Statesboro, Ga. (John Amis / AP)
Associated Press

Shai Werts rushed for 129 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown run, and Georgia Southern upset No. 25 Appalachian State 34-14 on Thursday night in Statesboro, Georgia to spoil the Mountaineers’ first week in the Top 25.

Werts threw a 57-yard scoring pass to Darion Anderson early in the second quarter. It was Werts’ only completion in three attempts for Georgia Southern (7-1, 4-0 Sun Belt). Wesley Fields had scoring runs of 10 and 18 yards in the Eagles’ fifth straight win.

Georgia Southern fans stormed the field following the school’s first home game against a Top 25 team.

App State quarterback Zac Thomas was knocked out of the game on the opening series for the Mountaineers (5-2, 3-1). The back of Thomas’ helmet hit the ground as he was tackled following a 5-yard run. He was taken to the medical tent on the sideline and then escorted to the locker room. He didn’t return.

Backup quarterbacks Peyton Derrick and Jacob Huesman combined to throw four interceptions, and the Mountaineers also lost a fumble on a punt return.

(13) West Virginia 58, Baylor 14: Will Grier threw three touchdown passes and the Mountaineers used a big second quarter to cruise past the Bears in Morgantown, West Virginia.

The Mountaineers (6-1, 4-1 Big 12) bounced back from a blowout loss at Iowa State with arguably their best performances of the season on both sides of the ball.

During a 31-point second quarter, Grier had TD tosses of 25 and 65 yards to David Sills, and Grier ran for a 1-yard score for a 41-0 halftime lead. It marked the most points in a quarter for the Mountaineers since they scored 35 against Clemson in the Orange Bowl following the 2011 season.

West Virginia had 10 first-half drives, compiled 435 yards by the break and 568 overall.