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A Georgia Southern Travel Guide for Coastal Carolina Fans

While Coastal Carolina may not be playing in Statesboro until the 2018 season, here is a guide on what to do when the game comes next year.

By Brian Stone
Louisiana Monroe v Georgia Southern Photo by Todd Bennett/Getty Images

This year will be Coastal Carolina’s first season as a Sun Belt member in football. For the Coastal Carolina fans who will celebrate the occasion by making a few road trips to visit their new conference mates this season and next, we wanted to make them a traveler's guide. Next up, Georgia Southern.

Welcome to the FBS, Coastal Carolina. While Georgia Southern will be traveling to Conway for the inaugural game between the two teams this fall, in 2018 the Chanticleers face off with the Eagles in Statesboro.

Weather

Here’s the problem with predicting weather in Statesboro (and largely Georgia as a whole): There’s no rhyme or reason to it. There are about two weeks of fall wedged in the middle of November, but until then, it will be scorching hot and humid. Coastal plays GS two days into December this year, so if that holds in 2018, it should be very manageable weather at that point in the year. Definitely not as cold as Boone, but probably in the 50’s.

Troy v Georgia Southern Photo by Todd Bennett/Getty Images

Directions

Come on folks, use your smartphones. They’re there for a reason.

From the look of it on a map, the majority of the trip will comprise of driving down to Pooler via I-95, and then taking I-16 West to Statesboro for the game. Should be simple enough to navigate.

Gameday Atmosphere

The tailgating around Allen E. Paulson Stadium is fantastic. People come from all over the state to attend games, so if you’re taking I-16 from Savannah, I would advise getting there very early on gameday to secure a spot.

If it’s a later kickoff and you’re an opposing fan, I’d try to avoid Robin Hood Trail across from the stadium. The students tend to start partying early, and those are primarily spots for the fraternity houses. While I have enjoyed many a Saturday morning at a tailgate, it can get a bit rowdy, so you’ve been warned.

Troy v Georgia Southern Photo by Todd Bennett/Getty Images

Restaurants

Statesboro has some great local spots to hit if you are in the mood to grab some grub before games:

  • Gnat’s Landing
  • El Sombrero (there’s three of them, you’re bound to run into one)
  • Vandy’s BBQ
  • The Boiling Shrimp
  • Sugar Magnolia Bakery & Cafe (great brunch/breakfast items and iced coffee)
  • Smoque BBQ (should be open by 2018)

All Georgia Southern fans will love to have a new team to play on the regular that is a manageable car ride away, and we can’t wait to see Coastal Carolina come to Statesboro in 2018!

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