Georgia Southern quarterback Kyle Vantrease set a school record with 578 passing yards and threw four touchdowns, including the game-winner with 1:10 remaining, to help the host Eagles stun No. 25 James Madison 45-38 in Statesboro, Ga., on Saturday.
James Madison took the lead with 2:28 left when Todd Centeio threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Greene Jr. But the Eagles responded by driving 75 yards in 10 plays, going ahead on Vantrease's final TD pass to Derwin Burgess Jr.
Georgia Southern sealed the massive upset when Anthony Wilson intercepted Centeio with 18 seconds remaining. It was the fourth turnover created by the Eagles, who also scored on a blocked punt.
Vantrease completed 38 of 64 passes and threw two touchdowns to Amare Jones and one each to Burgess and Jalen White. The graduate senior, who was picked off four times a week ago, was intercepted only once.
Georgia Southern (4-3, 1-2 Sun Belt) spread the ball around.
Khaleb Hood had eight catches for 131 yards, Jones had seven for 164, Jeremy Singleton had seven for 108 and Burgess had seven for 84. The Eagles shredded a JMU defense that had allowed only 15 points and 227.4 yards per game for 578 total yards.
Georgia Southern kicker Alex Raynor kicked three field goals from 20, 41 and 24 yards.
James Madison (5-1, 3-1) got a stellar effort from Centeio, who completed 28 of 48 passes for 468 yards and two touchdowns but tossed three interceptions. Centeio, a two-time Sun Belt Player of the Week, also ran 12 times for 44 yards and three touchdowns.
JMU's running game was led by Percy Agyei-Obese with 106 yards on 18 carries. Reggie Brown caught eight passes for 136 yards and one touchdown, and Kris Thornton caught five passes for 126 yards.
James Madison, in its first year of FBS football, was trying to become the first team to start the season 6-0 after transitioning from FCS.
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