Dominique Swope injury: Eagles RB expected to play against North Dakota State

Georgia Southern fullback Dominique Swope is expected to play against North Dakota State in the semifinals of the FCS Tournament on Friday, according to Donald Heath of The Augusta Chronicle.

Swope bruised his thigh late in the team's 49-35 win over Old Dominion. Before the injury, Swope rushed for 186 yards on 22 carries.

Swope is one of many running threats on Georgia Southern's ground-and-pound offense. Against Old Dominion, Swope led the team in yards as the Eagles rushed for 602 yards on 71 carries. Jerick McKinnon had 171 rushing yards, Darreion Robinson had 76 and Johnathan Bryant had 71 to carry the bulk of the yards.

Against Central Arkansas the round before, Georgia Southern rushed for 404 total yards. Swope had just 64 yards, but McKinnon had 316 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries.

If Georgia Southern can get past top-seeded North Dakota State on Friday, the Eagles will play either Eastern Washington or Sam Houston State on Jan. 5.

Sam Houston State and Eastern Washington play their semifinal game Saturday at 4 p.m.