Georgia Southern quarterback Shai Werts (1) is lifted up after scoring a touchdown against Louisiana Tech during the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)NEW ORLEANS – Georgia Southern quarterback Shai Werts kept his team in suspense until pregame warmups. “The guys fed off that for sure.”Werts had three touchdown runs and threw a 65-yard scoring pass to help Georgia Southern beat Louisiana Tech 38-3 in the New Orleans Bowl on Wednesday. Safety Justin Birdsong intercepted two passes — the first against Louisiana Tech starter Aaron Allen and the second against reserve JD Head in the third quarter. “He did not play very well,” Louisiana Tech coach Skip Holtz said.

Frankie Hickson picked up 120 yards rushing on 22 carries, Stephen Calvert went 16 of 35 passing for 270 yards and two touchdowns, and Liberty beat Georgia Southern 23-16 in the Cure Bowl on Saturday. Shai Werts completed 10 of 19 passes for 95 yards and gained 57 yards on 22 carries for Georgia Southern (7-6). Kennedy had a 10-yard TD dash in the second for Georgia Southern, which was out gained 264-115 in the first half and 402-289 overall. The Liberty defense limited Georgia Southern to three field goals in the second half. Georgia Southern: Werts said “absolutely” that he will return for his senior season in 2020.