BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Coach Clay Helton said the best Christmas present his team gave him was the ability to join them once again on the field for a bowl game. Monday afternoon they added a late present as well, capping the season with a 29-10 victory over Appalachian State in the JLab Birmingham Bowl to finish the season with a 7-6 record.

On top 13-7 at the half, the Eagles pulled away in the third quarter with a pair of touchdowns, each set up by an O.J. Arnold long run. They also were helped by a defense picked off four Mountaineer passes, including three in the red-zone.

“On a day when it was blowing pretty hard out there, it was about playing great defense and running the ball,” Helton saod. “I think both teams figured as they game went on throwing the ball into the wind would be tough. This is three wins in a row against our rival, and a fourth-straight bowl game for 25 of our seniors who finish off their careers with a bowl championship.”

The bowl win was for the first for the Eagles during Helton’s tenure.

From the time the two teams hit the field it was evident that the Mountaineers were a much different team from the one who met the Eagles only last month in Boone. Appalachian State dressed fewer than 70 players for the bowl game, compared to over 100 for Georgia Southern.

Many Mountaineer players opted out and some have declared for the transfer portal. While the Eagles may see players leave as well, Coach Helton was excited that the entire team was with them in Birmingham.

“I am so proud of what those men in the locker room represent,” Helton said. “Every one of them chose to be on the field and not one player opted out. They will all make decisions coming up, but not one decided to enter the transfer portal before our game. We were one football family out there and I hope that is the trend that happens in college football.”

The lack of depth for App State forced coach Dowell Loggains to put defensive back Matthew Wilson, a quarterback in high school, in at quarterback for the majority of the game. Wilson led the team in rushing with 110 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw two costly interceptions in the red zone.

“They are usually an up-tempo offense,” Helton said. “With the situation they were in, they decided to try and slow the game down and give us limited possession opportunities. Our defense found ways to get off the field, whether it was third down stops or turnovers and I am so proud.”

Helton made two defensive staff changes before the bowl game, including dismissing his defensive coordinator. Darius Safford was tapped to run the Eagles defense for the bowl, and Helton awarded one of the game balls to Safford.

“In a time of transition and adversity, the coaches put all of their concern not into themselves but into their players, and our players rallied around that,” Helton said.

The Eagle defensive players gave plenty of credit to the mentality Safford brought to the team over the past month. Helton announced Tuesday Safford was promoted to assistant head coach. He also will coach the defensive backs.

“This new mentality on defense started about three weeks ago,” said linebacker Brendan Harrington. “We had our first meeting to prepare for the bowl game and we adopted a new ‘Black Flag’ mentality from Coach Safford. That means we will never back down, regardless of where the ball is on the field. We aren’t going to flinch and do everything we can to stop the other team from scoring. It’s a credit to the players and the coaches for stepping up today.”

The Eagles got on the board on their opening drive as running back Terrance Gibbs took a direct snap and went into the end zone from one yard out for a 7-0 lead. The Eagles stretched the lead to 10-0 on Tripp Bryant’s 23-yard field goal, despite the drive getting to the App State 1-yard line. Arnold, who finished with 151 yards rushing, set up the field goal drive with a long run.

The Eagles got a long run by Arnold and eventually got down to the one-yard line but were only able to come away with a 23-yard Tripp Bryant field goal for a 10-0 lead.

 Wilson’s TD brought App State within 10-7 but the Eagles got another Bryant field goal, which Helton called the play of the game, just before halftime.

“I thought getting those points before the half were crucial,” Helton said. “We knew we were getting the ball to start the third quarter and we needed some momentum going into the locker room.”

The Eagles proceeded to come out in the third and score a pair of touchdowns. Arnold set up the first one with a 58-yard run and freshman quarterback Weston Bryan capped the drive with a 3-yard scoring run. After Dorrian Smith’s second interception of the game, J.C. French hit Marcus Sanders Jr. with a 32-yard touchdown pass to make it a 26-7 game.

Georgia Southern became the first team in the bowl era to beat a conference opponent during the season and beat the same conference opponent in a bowl game.

The Eagles finished the season winning four of their final five games and Helton is hoping to ride that momentum into the off season.

“Starting in November with their backs against the wall this team found a way to get it done,” Helton said. “I am proud of our coaching staff but players win games and I am so proud of what they have accomplished. I have been a part of some special games in my career, but I’m not sure if I have been a part of more special men.”