Fourth-string fullback Banks helps Georgia Southern roll up 508 yards and beat Elon 38-21

Banks, Georgia Southern roll over Elon 38-21

STATESBORO, Ga. — Lee Banks rushed for 121 yards and Georgia Southern shredded Elon’s defense for 508 yards while rolling to a 38-21 win in the Southern Conference opener for both teams Saturday night.

Banks, a senior who had two carries for 8 yards in his career, had 25 carries to lead the Eagles (3-1, 1-0) over an Elon (1-3, 0-1) team that was looking for its fourth straight win in the series.

Banks, the Eagles’ fourth-team fullback, was playing in place of leading rusher Robert Brown, who missed the game with a back injury.

Georgia Southern, which had struggled on the ground since its opener with Savannah State, had 379 yards rushing on 79 carries. Quarterback Jaybo Shaw, who scored two first-half touchdowns, completed 8 of 12 passes for 129 yards.

Elon, which had only 9 yards rushing, got 322 yards passing from Scott Riddle, who was 25-for-42 with two interceptions.