2023 Myrtle Beach Bowl Explained

Game Name:Myrtle Beach Bowl
Subheader:4th Myrtle Beach Bowl
Date Game Played:December 16
Year Game Played:2023
Football Season:2023
Stadium:Brooks Stadium
City:Conway, South Carolina
Visitor School:Georgia Southern University
Visitor Name Short:Georgia Southern
Visitor Nickname:Eagles
Visitor Record:6–6
Visitor Conference:Sun Belt
Visitor Coach:Clay Helton
Visitor 1Q:0
Visitor 2Q:0
Visitor 3Q:14
Visitor 4Q:7
Home School:Ohio University
Home Name Short:Ohio
Home Nickname:Bobcats
Home Record:9–3
Home Conference:MAC
Home Coach:Tim Albin
Home 1Q:3
Home 2Q:17
Home 3Q:14
Home 4Q:7
Mvp:Rickey Hunt Jr. (RB, Ohio)[1]
Odds:Georgia Southern by 3.5[2]
Anthem:Greg Rowles & Festive Brass of Myrtle Beach[3]
Referee:Patrick Foy (Mountain West)[4]
Attendance:8,059
Us Network:ESPN
Us Announcers:Drew Carter (play-by-play), Dustin Fox (analyst), and Stormy Buonantony (sideline)

The 2023 Myrtle Beach Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 16, 2023, at Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina. The fourth edition of the Myrtle Beach Bowl, the game featured the Georgia Southern Eagles from the Sun Belt Conference and the Ohio Bobcats from the Mid-American Conference (MAC). It began at approximately 11:00 a.m. EST and was televised on ESPN. It was the first of the 2023–24 bowl games concluding the 2023 FBS football season.

The game was originally scheduled for December 18, 2023, but was moved forward by two days to help accommodate a venue move for the 2023 Famous Toastery Bowl.[5]

Ohio's Freshman running back Rickey Hunt had 115 rushing yards and five total TDs with four if those coming on the ground. That won him the game's MVP and came in his first extended playing time of his career.[6] [7] His 5 TD's tied the record in bowl games and set an Ohio program record.[8] Third-string quarterback Parker Navarro also played well in his first collegiate with start with 11 competitions on 16 attempts for 120 yards and 71 rushing yards.[9] [10] For Georgia Southern, Davis Brin threw for a Myrtle Beach Bowl record 350 yards, bringing his total for the year to 3,781, but his three interceptions and lost fumble provided much of the difference in the game in Ohio's 41–21 victory.[11] Georgia Southern outgained Ohio by 21 yards but Ohio won the turnover battle 5–0, held the Eagles to 1.6 yards per rush attempt, and, with 232 total rushing yards, held the ball for almost seven more minutes.[12] Bryce Houston led the Bobcat defense with eight tackles.[13] Ohio sacked Brin five times.[14]

Teams

The game featured the Georgia Southern Eagles from the Sun Belt Conference against the Ohio Bobcats from the Mid-American Conference (MAC). This was the first time Georgia Southern and Ohio ever played each other, as well as the first time either team played in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.[15]

Georgia Southern

See main article: 2023 Georgia Southern Eagles football team.

Behind their senior transfer QB Davis Brin, the Eagles started the year 6–2, with the sole losses coming to James Madison, who went on to finish the season 11–1, and Power Five opponent Wisconsin, a game in which Brin threw five interceptions. However, after clinching bowl eligibility on October 26 with a win over Georgia State, the Eagles were winless in November and finished their regular season with a record of 6–6.

Ohio

See main article: 2023 Ohio Bobcats football team.

After finishing as the runner-up in the MAC the previous year, the Bobcats returned most of their offensive talent in 2023, including quarterback Kurtis Rourke. After opening the season with a loss to San Diego State, Ohio rattled off five straight wins, including a 10–7 victory over Power Five foe Iowa State. Ohio clinched bowl eligibility with a 20–17 victory over Western Michigan, but missed out on the MAC championship after a 30–16 loss to division winners Miami (OH). The Bobcats finished their regular season with a record of 9–3. After the regular season Ohio took a huge transfer hit as Rourke, starting receivers Miles Cross and Ty Walton, their top two backs Sieh Bangura and O'Shaan Allison, and middle linebacker Keye Thompson all entered the transfer portal.[16] [17] [18]

Statistics

Team statistical comparison
StatisticGeorgia SouthernOhio
First downs15 16
First downs rushing8 8
First downs passing6 6
First downs penalty1 2
Third down efficiency5–12 10–15
Fourth down efficiency3–5 0-1
Total plays–net yards63–383 65–352
Rushing attempts–net yards21–33 46–232
Yards per rush1.6 5
Yards passing350 120
Pass completions–attempts32–42 11–16
Interceptions thrown3 0
Punt returns–total yards0–0 0–0
Kickoff returns–total yards5-96 1–15
Punts–average yardage2–36.5 3–38.3
Fumbles–lost2–2 0–0
Penalties–yards6–70 6-60
Time of possession26:42 33:18
Georgia Southern statistics
Eagles passing
32–42 350 2–3
Eagles rushing
David Mbadinga 4 44 1
Dalen Cobb 2 8 0
OJ Arnold 5 6 0
1 –2 0
Davis Brin 9 –23 0
Eagles receiving
Derwin Burgess Jr. 6 117 1
Dalen Cobb 7 109 0
Jjay Mcafee 5 62 1
Khaleb Hood 7 31 0
David Mbadinga 4 20 0
OJ Arnold 2 7 0
Jalen White 1 4 0
Ohio statistics
Bobcats passing
Parker Navarro 11–16 120 1–0
Bobcats rushing
Rickey Hunt 17 115 4
Parker Navarro 15 71 0
Nolan McCormick 11 40 0
Will Kacmarek 1 5 0
1 1 0
Bobcats receiving
Sam Wiglusz 5 64 0
Chase Hendricks 3 25 0
Rickey Hunt 1 18 1
Tyler Foster 1 9 0
Rodney Harris II 1 4 0

External link

Notes and References

  1. OhioFootball . 1736113417235190089 . MVP RICKEYYYYYY !! . December 16, 2023 . December 16, 2023.
  2. News: College football bowl schedule, game odds, point spreads for 2023-24. Sports Illustrated. James. Parks. December 11, 2023. December 12, 2023.
  3. 1736053577163174334 . WPDEABC15 . IT'S GAME TIME The 2023 Myrtle Beach Bowl is underway as Georgia Southern takes on Ohio university on the Teal Turf! Check out this picture ahead of the game as singer, Greg Rowles, and Festive Brass, prepared to perform the National Anthem at today's game Brandee Rowles . 2023-12-16 . 2023-12-16.
  4. News: 2023-24 bowl officiating assignments. footballzebras.com. Ben. Austro. December 3, 2023. December 5, 2023.
  5. Web site: 2023 Bahamas Bowl to Be played at 49ers' Jerry Richardson Stadium. Charlotte49ers.com. October 26, 2023. October 26, 2023.
  6. OhioFootball . 1736113417235190089 . MVP RICKEYYYYYY !! . December 16, 2023 . December 16, 2023.
  7. Web site: Newa. Sam. Weiderhaft. December 18, 2023. December 16, 2023. myrtlebeachbowlgame.com. Myrtle Beach Bowl.
  8. Web site: Freshman Running Back Rickey Hunt Tied NCAA Bowl Record This Saturday. December 18, 2023. December 16, 2023. msn.com. The Spun. Tzvi. Machlin.
  9. Web site: Reserves Hunt, Navarro lead Ohio to 41-21 victory over Georgia Southern in Myrtle Beach Bowl. December 18, 2023. December 16, 2023. foxsports.com. AP.
  10. Web site: GA SOUTHERN 21 OHIO 41. December 18, 2023. December 16, 2023. foxsports.com. Fox Sports.
  11. Web site: GASO 21 OHIO 41 - Boxscore. December 18, 2023. December 16, 2023. ESPN. ESPN.
  12. Web site: GASO 21 OHIO 41 - Team Stats. December 18, 2023. December 16, 2023. ESPN. ESPN.
  13. Web site: GAS 21 OHIO 41 - Boxscore. December 18, 2023. December 16, 2023. cbssports.com. CBS Sports.
  14. Web site: GAS 21 OHIO 41 - Recap. December 18, 2023. December 16, 2023. cbssports.com. CBS Sports.
  15. Web site: Winsipedia - Georgia Southern Eagles vs. Ohio Bobcats . 2023-12-03 . Winsipedia.
  16. Web site: Football: Quarterback Kurtis Rourke enters NCAA Transfer Portal. thepostathens.com. Ohio University Post. December 5, 2023. December 8, 2023. Robert. Keegan III.
  17. Web site: Football: Sieh Bangura, O'Shaan Allison, Tyler Walton enter transfer portal. thepostathens.com. Ohio University Post. December 4, 2023. December 8, 2023. Bobby. Gorbett.
  18. Web site: Pitt Offers Former Ohio WR. si.com. Sports Illustrated. December 8, 2023. December 8, 2023. Stephen. Thompson.