Georgia Southern defeats New Mexico State, 22-19

40 days.

It’s been 40 days since Georgia Southern played a home football game, and it shows.

As has been the case the last 3 games, the Eagles looked sluggish on both sides of the ball, but unlike the previous road games, GS played well enough to pick up the win.

If tonight’s game is to be trusted going forward, the team is caught between running the spread option scheme its used since 2014, and a new, more pass heavy attack when freshman quarterback Seth Shuman is under center.

Shuman attempted to do his best Brett Favre impression in this one, whipping multiple passes outside the reach of his teammates, and generally being careless with the football.

The freshman QB showed his inexperience when he ended up 4-12 for 56 yards and a pick.

The Eagles aren’t good enough to be that inefficient, especially not this season.

Luckily running back Wesley Fields came up big in multiple spots, rushing for 88 yards while also hauling in a 42 yard screen pass where he was virtually untouched to put Georgia Southern up 22-12 in the final frame.

The Eagles also notched its first 100 yard rusher of the season, with Kevin Ellison toting the rock 20 times for 117 yards. Ellison was also very efficient in the passing game, going 7 of 8 for 101 yards for 2 touchdowns and an interception.

This team still has many holes that need to be plugged. The secondary did not play particularly well, allowing 250 yards through the air and two passing touchdowns, albeit one coming with the game firmly out of reach.

If New Mexico State did not shoot itself in the foot multiple times with bad penalties and turnovers, Eagle Nation may be looking at a different outcome.

But as it stands, GS is now on the right side of .500 at 4-3 and is now 3-1 in division play.

However, the team will need to be much improved this Thursday when it welcomes rival Appalachian State to Allen E. Paulson Stadium.