STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern scored touchdowns on nine straight possessions as the Eagles soared past South Dakota State 63-7 in non-conference football action Saturday.

The Eagles came into the game leading NCAA Division IAA in rushing, scoring and passing efficiency, and they didn't hurt their numbers as they rushed for 467 of their 616 yards total offense.

SDSU's defense actually won the first skirmish of the day. The Jacks kicked off to start the game and when the Eagles' first series reached fourth and one at the GSU 44, Mike Blackbourn and Hank McCall stopped the play for no gain giving the Jacks the ball.

After one first down, SDSU reached the GSU 29 but then stalled and missed a 43 yard field goal attempt.

GSU opened a 21-0 lead before SDSU marched 80 yards in 8 plays to score on an 11-yard Brad Nelson to Brian Janecek pass.

The crucial sequence of the game happened on SDSU's next possession. GSU marched for another TD but the Jacks came right, starting from their own 20, and had a first down on the Georgia Southern 31. Then Nelson lost the handle on a snap and GSU recovered.

The Eagles scored again, then kicked off. The Jacks went three downs and out, and GSU blocked the SDSU punt, taking over on the Jackrabbit seven. It took two plays before quarter Chaz Williams scored his third TD of the half, giving GSU a 42-7 lead at intermission.

Both teams had some long, time-consuming drives in the second half, but again the Jacks kept coming up short.

After a GSU touchdown, the Jacks started from their own 20 and kept the ball for 17 plays. But on a fourth and 10 play from the GSU 17, Nelson was sacked, giving the Eagles the ball on downs.

Williams finished the day 4-for-6 passing for 101 yards and one TD, and rushed 14 times for 102 yards and 3 TDs. Jermaine Austin added 115 yards rushing on 16 attempts as 13 different backs carried the ball for the Eagles.

SDSU had 242 yards total offense. Nelson was 17-for-28 for 182 yards passing, but was sacked three times. Anthony Watson rushed for 77 yardson 17 carries while Janecek caught five passes for 68 yards and Ryan Lowry caught five for 53.

Chris Coauette again led the Jackrabbit defense with 12 tackles while McCall and Blackbourn had 11 each.

The victory was the eighth in a row for GSU since an opening loss to Georgia. The Eagles were ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in virtually all the IAA polls last week.GSU has already clinched at least a share of the Southern Conference title and will place Furman next week.

SDSU is now 4-4 for the season and will host Augustana in the Hobo Day game next Saturday (2 p.m. kickoff, Coughlin-Alumni Stadium).