Underdog Dynasty: All Posts by Haisten WillisAn unofficial The American, Conference USA, Sun Belt, and Independent football bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52546/ud_favicon.png2018-12-15T21:36:57-05:00https://www.underdogdynasty.com/authors/haisten-willis/rss2018-12-15T21:36:57-05:002018-12-15T21:36:57-05:00Tyler Bass plays Camellia Bowl hero
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Camellia Bowl-Eastern Michigan vs Georgia Southern" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ymZoYiBJf0bRMwZ2Wf-Y12zt2VQ=/0x0:4220x2813/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62688072/usa_today_11853636.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Hail to the kicker. </p> <p id="8PmKu6">The <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/georgia-southern-eagles">Georgia Southern Eagles</a> survived a subpar second half and a spirited <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/eastern-michigan-eagles">Eastern Michigan Eagles</a> team to win the Camellia Bowl 23-21 on an emotional night in Montgomery.</p>
<p id="q8sw8I">Of all people, the hero was GS kicker <span>Tyler Bass</span>, who easily connected on three field goals, including a 40-yard game winner as time expired. <span>Bass</span> has been a hero for this turnaround team all year long, guiding footballs through the uprights from unfathomable distance the way most people guide the family car into a parking spot. </p>
<p id="mjcly6">The other hero for the Statesboro Eagles was, of course, quarterback Shai Werts. He scored two rushing touchdowns on 79 ground yards, but the big play for Werts was his do-or-die run on 4th & long when GS was down 21-20 late and all seemed lost. The sophomore not only got the first, he single-handedly got Southern into field goal territory. </p>
<p id="lJ9xpT">After that there were nervous moments left, sure. Nobody who has watched <span>Bass</span> all year could have been too worried though. He was 9 of 10 on field goals of 40-plus yards for the year, and became 10 of 11 on the final play of the 2018 Georgia Southern football season.</p>
<p id="YPuSBj">For head coach Chad Lunsford, the ball sailing through the uprights one more time sealed an incredible turnaround: 2-10 to 10-3 in 12 months. Again, how is that even possible? What does one coach, or even a full coaching staff, say or do with their players to cause such a stark change in performance? </p>
<p id="pU6FZt">I don’t know, and neither do the fans who rode down on charter buses paid for by Lunsford and Cole Swindell, but we’ll take it. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"After what these kids been through for 2 years, losing 10 last. Our kids deserve this," <a href="https://twitter.com/GSAthletics_FB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GSAthletics_FB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/chadlunsford?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chadlunsford</a> <a href="https://t.co/rieDrgc1Hi">pic.twitter.com/rieDrgc1Hi</a></p>— ESPNCoastal (@ESPNCoastal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNCoastal/status/1074119414310682624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2018</a>
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<p id="JKKOUl">Full credit to Eastern Michigan. The other Eagles came in looking for their first bowl win since 1987 and did all they could to earn it. It was frustrating as a Southern fan to watch them break so many tackles in the second half, especially <span>Blake Banham</span> and Arthur Jackson, and yet I couldn’t help but admire the determination it conveyed. They played to win and very nearly did. </p>
<p id="lgS7C5">Southern more or less dominated the opening half, outgaining Eastern 230-93 and going into the break with a 17-7 lead. GS held firm command over time of possession as well, 20:29 to 9:31. </p>
<p id="eQzdQF">In the second half it was EMU who dominated. Eastern outgained Southern 208-134 and outscored GS 14-6 in the third and fourth quarters. Mike Glass is a very good quarterback, showing his skill via 204 passing yards, with 17 completions on 25 attempts. And all of it came against a secondary which had been Southern’s best unit all year. Meanwhile, GS went 0 of 5 on third down for the second half. </p>
<p id="WO3ExF">Both teams played clean football. Neither threw an interception or lost a fumble (though GS tried, coughing the ball up and falling back on it three times, one of which somehow went for a first down). </p>
<p id="DvBugZ">That’s not to say there weren’t debatable calls. Had the blue Eagles lost, a big talking point would have been Lunsford’s conservative playcalling. Southern chose not to go for it on fourth and short multiple times, while the green Eagles were rewarded for doing so on their final touchdown. </p>
<p id="McFqYC">In the end, it didn’t matter. </p>
<p id="5QwAF2">Georgia Southern has won 10 games for the first time in the FBS era. The Eagles could be in position to win even more in 2019. Werts and Bass both come back, and so will Lunsford. If the coach can take a team from 2-10 to 10-3, what can he do when starting with a strong squad?</p>
<p id="UGR1Iv">We’ll see starting next September. But for now, let’s just enjoy this win. Hail Southern. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">CHAIR SLAM SEASON <br>ONE MORE TIME<br><br>Feat. <a href="https://twitter.com/coleswindell?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coleswindell</a> <a href="https://t.co/giTmjMLGEn">pic.twitter.com/giTmjMLGEn</a></p>— #GATALifestyle (@GATALifestyle) <a href="https://twitter.com/GATALifestyle/status/1074128862861242370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2018</a>
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https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2018/12/15/18142579/georgia-southern-eagles-23-eastern-michigan-eagles-21-tyler-bass-plays-camellia-bowlHaisten Willis2018-11-24T17:25:50-05:002018-11-24T17:25:50-05:00Eagles get sweet revenge in Atlanta
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<img alt="Troy v Georgia Southern" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jSyyBw3BsYBprRkUqsKvrXLbN30=/0x115:2917x2060/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62391663/1065976994.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chris Thelen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>#SouthernNotState</p> <p id="GTR7FB">The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/georgia-southern-eagles">Georgia Southern Eagles</a> took out three years of frustration against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/georgia-state-panthers">Georgia State Panthers</a> on Saturday afternoon, picking up just their second win ever against GSU in the stadium formerly known as Turner Field. </p>
<p id="Nv1d9g">#SouthernNotState, for at least the next 12 months. </p>
<p id="kxD3MM">It had been four years since Southern beat State. That’s something like 1,460 days, though I didn’t do the exact math. Southern fans once again far outnumbered their lighter hued counterparts on the overcast avernoon, though that wasn’t anything new. What was new was the outcome: a dominant 35-14 win, GS’s ninth of the season with a bowl game still to play. It was State’s 10th loss, matching Southern’s record for futility in 2017. </p>
<p id="MNK13r">Were the Eagles really 2-10 just last year? How is that possible? Did Chad Lunsford magically rise from the waters of Eagle Creek to resurrect the program? I’d believe it myself if he hadn’t been around for 15 or so years already as an assistant. </p>
<p id="lCOQkk">Anyway, the game. </p>
<p id="F67SHs">It looked like a lot of Southern wins this year, a slow burn rather than a burst of energy. Both teams exchanged punts on their opening drives, and the Eagles scored first courtesy of a <span>Tyler Bass</span> field goal. </p>
<p id="BGLnu7">GS got an interception, the first of <span>Lane Ecton</span>’s career (fun fact: Ecton and Bass were high school teammates), then squandered away the ensuing possession and punted again. It took a passing play (!) to finally open up the game, with <span>Shai Werts</span> hitting <span>Darion Anderson</span> for a 38-yard strike that made it 10-0. <span>Anderson</span> high fived a couple of fans afterward, which was deemed excessive by the powers that be, but it didn’t matter in the long run. State’s best chance of the half ended in a blocked kick, which led to a 49-yard Bass field goal that made it 13-0 at the half. </p>
<p id="nc4RUx">Statistically speaking, there wasn’t much to separate the teams in the first two quarters. Southern had one more first down that State, ran two more plays and had about two more minutes of possession. The Eagles’ big edge in rushing yards, plus a superior turnover margin and great special teams play made much of the difference. </p>
<p id="bUzypg">For Southern fans, the party really began in the second half as the Eagles quickly put the game away. They roared after every big play. They did the Tomahawk Chop. They yelled “Southern” as loud as they could. But they really lit up when Gus, the mascot, ran out with a big “U” flag after a fourth-quarter score that made it 35-7. </p>
<p id="tlSRx6">Maybe the old “real GSU” thing is still alive after all. </p>
<p id="r8i32B">The Eagles outgained their opponent 381-264. Running back <span>Wesley Fields</span> had a career day with 151 yards on 16 attempts, including a long of 63 that went for a touchdown. <span>Werts</span> was his usual self with 75 yards rushing plus 8-of-11 passing for another 105 yards. He accounted for three total touchdowns. Southern dominated on the ground with 276 yards (6.7 per rush) to State’s 94 (2.9 per). </p>
<p id="Qd9rqM"><span>Bass</span> deserves a special shout-out. Not only was he money on field goals of 39 and 49 yards, he even connected a two-point conversion pass to <span>Deshon Cooper</span>. </p>
<p id="5zz0ww">It was a great day to be an Eagle. State, incredibly, still leads the all-time series 3-2, and still has yet to lose in Statesboro. That could be set to change when Lunsford’s bunch gets a shot again next year. Not that they’re worried about it. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">“GEORGIA STATE AIN’T WORTH NO ELBOW TO ME” -<a href="https://twitter.com/chadlunsford?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chadlunsford</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZDwpQIIzuI">pic.twitter.com/ZDwpQIIzuI</a></p>— #GATALifestyle (@GATALifestyle) <a href="https://twitter.com/GATALifestyle/status/1066454584443449345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2018</a>
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https://www.underdogdynasty.com/georgia-southern-eagles/2018/11/24/18110098/georgia-southern-eagles-35-georgia-state-panthers-14-final-scoreHaisten Willis2018-11-22T10:02:04-05:002018-11-22T10:02:04-05:00Georgia Southern at Georgia State: The story continues
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Appalachian State at Georgia Southern" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LvFhZ_vfMXAXYeC2SFPjwYYscsM=/6x0:3900x2596/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62382110/usa_today_11516429.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The story continues.</p> <p id="N4gELp">And just like that, we’ve reached the end of the regular season. The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/georgia-southern-eagles">Georgia Southern Eagles</a> take on the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/georgia-state-panthers">Georgia State Panthers</a> for bragging rights and a small percentage of an official rivalry trophy Saturday. Why not?</p>
<p id="VBdm95">The basics: </p>
<p id="SjUSbz"><strong>Start Time:</strong> 2 p.m. EST, Saturday, Nov. 24</p>
<p id="xWjjzw"><strong>Location: </strong>Georgia State Stadium, Atlanta</p>
<p id="Y6r5o1"><strong>Records:</strong> Georgia Southern (8-3, 5-2 Sun Belt), Georgia State (2-9, 1-6 Sun Belt)</p>
<p id="bgaYJX"><strong>Weather: </strong>54 degrees at kickoff, mostly cloudy</p>
<p id="Nr8Vor"><strong>TV: </strong>ESPN+</p>
<p id="1KqTLm"><strong>Betting Line:</strong> Georgia Southern -11, Over/Under of 58</p>
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<h1 id="RxWdlg"><strong>Georgia Southern Outlook</strong></h1>
<p id="xiCuWW">This season is an unquestioned success already, and while it has fallen from the soaring heights once thought possible, 10 wins are still in view. This would give GS its highest win total of the FBS era. </p>
<p id="G3W1xl">But first, the other GSU lurks. Or um, <a href="https://www.underdogdynasty.com/georgia-southern-eagles/2016/4/19/11454752/georgia-southern-eagles-prohibits-use-of-gsu">the only GSU</a> I suppose. </p>
<p id="gH8Oat">During Georgia Southern’s long run in the FCS it had two rivals. There was Appalachian State and there was Furman. App State was a rivalry of respect even among the hate, two rural schools with dedicated fanbases and darn good football teams nearly every year. </p>
<p id="3ykCzh">Then there was Furman. A school Southern fans hated to even admit was a rival. Furman was a tiny private school playing in a glorified high school stadium in front of very few onlookers. How did this school even get on the schedule? And yet it became a rival, like it or not, especially because the Purple Paladins got the best of the Eagles quite often. This includes a win in the last-ever meeting between the teams in 2013. </p>
<p id="k64NvD">For Georgia Southern fans, Georgia State is the New Furman. While public, State remains a mostly commuter school with a high percentage of non-traditional students. The Panthers don’t have many fans either, and play in a baseball stadium formerly known as Turner Field. Again Southern fans ask themselves, why is this school even on the schedule? </p>
<p id="9KwL8v">State adds insult to injury in multiple ways. First and foremost is that Georgia Southern University can no longer refer to itself by its own initials as a means of avoiding confusion. Then there are the TV announcers constantly referring to the Eagles as “Georgia State” in spite of the initial policy.</p>
<p id="XckJ3S">Last but not least: Like Furman, the Panthers get the best of the Eagles a lot more than Southern fans would like. GSU has a 3-1 edge in the series and a three-game winning streak coming into Saturday’s game. </p>
<p id="KM5UIc">On paper Georgia Southern has the much better team this season, as evidenced by a far superior record and an 11-point spread in Vegas. Eagle Nation will aim to have more fans than State in its own stadium once again, and will be absolutely seething to get the win. </p>
<p id="6rfYXI">Like it or not, for Eagle Nation, Georgia State is the New Furman. </p>
<h1 id="N5A51Q"><strong>Georgia State Outlook</strong></h1>
<p id="zMT5xK">I suppose I should actually talk about the football matchup at some point. Georgia State is having a rough season in year two of the <span>Shawn Elliott</span> era. The former App State and South Carolina assistant may be in danger of regaining his position coach status if he can’t turn things around quickly. </p>
<p id="hiLRcm">State picked up seven wins in 2017, including the school’s first bowl win, meaning this season has been a huge regression. There was a last-gasp, season-opening win over FCS Kennesaw State and a surprising blowout of ULM, and there have been nine losses including six in a row. </p>
<p id="awEC5G">That does not mean Southern will blow out this team. It is a rivalry, and yes that makes a difference. Keep in mind too that the Panthers did blow out ULM, which subsequently blew out GS. There have been some other near-misses along the way, and while there’s no doubting State is a bad team it remains a dangerous one. </p>
<p id="a4Yrbc">State is a young squad with just one senior starter on offense. The Panthers will hope for a big day from junior receiver <span>Penny Hart</span>, who gave Southern fans nightmares following last season’s matchup. Junior college transfer <span>Dan Ellington</span> is State’s quarterback and has completed just under 60 percent of his passes with 10 touchdowns against four interceptions. The Eagles’ vaunted secondary will be a tough test for him to say the least. </p>
<p id="bmw477">On defense, Southern’s explosive run game will be a tough test for State’s defense, and one they’re not likely to pass.</p>
<h1 id="aZZdtI"><strong>Prediction</strong></h1>
<p id="gmry5J">Georgia Southern beat Appalachian State for the first time since 2014 earlier this year. They will beat Georgia State for the first time since 2014 on Saturday. </p>
<p id="PhrvLa">Yes, anything can happen. Yes, State absolutely can win. But the little headline there says “prediction” and that’s mine. Southern fans will come ready to party and should get rewarded with the big win in Atlanta before heading off to bowl season. </p>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/georgia-southern-eagles/2018/11/22/18107446/georgia-southern-eagles-georgia-state-panthers-how-to-watch-streaming-betting-lineHaisten Willis2018-10-25T23:21:48-04:002018-10-25T23:21:48-04:00Georgia Southern crushes Appalachian State 34-14
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<img alt="Appalachian State v Georgia Southern" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0XDwNOO_GJue7qhMfngdmM1bVe8=/0x37:2576x1754/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61915013/1059413618.jpg.0.jpg" />
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<p>Top 25 here we come?</p> <p id="YFuH3k">Defense just earned the headline for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/georgia-southern-eagles">Georgia Southern Eagles</a>. </p>
<p id="qQd8ss">GS has been Option U longer than I’ve been alive, but the other side of the squad finally earned its time in the spotlight in a dominant 34-14 win over the No. 25 Appalachian State Mountaineers Thursday night. </p>
<p id="aKvbxQ">Yes, App State quarterback <span>Zac Thomas</span> came out early with an injury. Yes, Mountaineer star running back <span>Jalin Moore</span> is out for the season. </p>
<p id="iVrBHG">That still doesn’t explain what happened in Paulson Stadium. With the exception of one bona fide second quarter touchdown and a garbage time score, literally every App State drive ended in either a turnover or a three-and-out. Every. Single. One.</p>
<p id="qyXzwb">GS defensive coordinator Scot Sloan must have learned a thing or two during his eight years in Boone. His defense has the Eagles +19 in turnover margin for the season, tops in the entire country. The unit gives up yards (288 tonight, to Georgia Southern’s 334), while somehow managing week after week to keep those yards from becoming points. </p>
<p id="Didt2W">Statesboro is going to be a wild place on Thursday night (yes, even more so than it is on a typical Thursday night) because this was a huge win in a rivalry that had become far too one-sided.</p>
<p id="sgdZfA">The Eagles had dropped three straight to App State, eight of the last ten. The Black and Gold rode into the Paulson as the first ranked team ever to play in the stadium and looked ready to add to the streak. They rode out losers. </p>
<p id="0FJUkf"><span>Shai Werts</span> was his typical stout self at quarterback, finishing with just one completed pass — a 57-yard touchdown to Darion Anderson. It was that kind of night for the Eagles. <span>Werts</span> scored once more on the ground and averaged over nine yards per carry. Behind him, four different rushers got at least three carries, led by <span>Wesley Fields</span>’ two touchdowns and 98 yards on 18 rushes. </p>
<p id="FapCrO">What all that math means is this: </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Georgia Southern fans rush the field after defeating #25 App State: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HailSouthern?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HailSouthern</a> <a href="https://t.co/b9Y4N1A3Ev">pic.twitter.com/b9Y4N1A3Ev</a></p>— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/RedditCFB/status/1055651358534221824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2018</a>
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<p id="H3HkI7">Think about this, long-time fans: The Eagles just dominated an FBS Top 25 team at home. That sentence was the stuff of message board pipe dreams a decade ago. </p>
<p id="6wEqhi">Since this is college football, the focus will quickly turn to next week, and the number one question now is whether or not Georgia Southern gets its own place in the AP Top 25. It sports the same number of losses App State did last week (one), to pair with two more wins. What’s more, the game being on a Thursday night likely means a lot more voters tuned in than usual. If the Eagles keep winning, it’s going to happen sooner rather than later.</p>
<p id="9tm8Ge">Did I mention Georgia Southern’s defense? The Mountaineers came in to this game averaging nearly 45 points per contest, and tonight got exactly one score before the game got out of hand. </p>
<p id="xOyC2J">Shoutout to <span>Tyler Bass</span> as well. GS has an outstanding kicker y’all, who has made 11 straight field goals and doesn’t care if he’s got to boot the ball off a Yeti cooler in the tailgate lot. If there are yellow uprights within a mile he will find them. </p>
<p id="dcyGc4">That’s to say nothing of head coach Chad Lunsford. How is it even possible a team finishing 2-10 just one year ago sits 7-1 and on the cusp of its first-ever national ranking? And with essentially the same players? </p>
<p id="9KXK2u">Georgia Southern still has four regular season games left to play in 2018. The team will take them one at a time. I’m a fan so I can speculate and say that of the four, only Troy should present a real challenge and there is a very good chance the Sun Belt’s first-ever title game will be hosted in Paulson Stadium. </p>
<p id="n8ABmj">For now, let’s enjoy the win. You know what to do. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">DOWN GOES APP STATE <a href="https://t.co/mnlu5iSe2A">pic.twitter.com/mnlu5iSe2A</a></p>— #GATALifestyle (@GATALifestyle) <a href="https://twitter.com/GATALifestyle/status/1055654225022205952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2018</a>
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https://www.underdogdynasty.com/georgia-southern-eagles/2018/10/25/18025668/georgia-southern-eagles-appalachian-state-mountaineers-34-14-sun-belt-footballHaisten Willis2018-10-20T21:36:35-04:002018-10-20T21:36:35-04:00Georgia Southern whips NMSU 48-31
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<img alt="South Alabama v Georgia Southern" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BVR3iBvmdb7gDBqBap3wy0mLk4c=/859x0:4477x2412/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61849785/1053286024.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chris Thelen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Bring on App State. </p> <p id="5tSZAd">Fans were treated to a vintage <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/georgia-southern-eagles">Georgia Southern Eagles</a> game Saturday night: Tons of rushing yards in an easy 48-31 win over New Mexico State, and almost no reason to watch beyond the third quarter. </p>
<p id="ymbgBh">It’s a good thing too, because in just five days it’s time for the game of the year against the dreaded Appalachian State Mountaineers. </p>
<p id="v9aHUL">Georgia Southern is bowl eligible at 6-1 (3-0 Sun Belt), so we’ll get to see the Eagles play during the holidays for the first time in three years. At the beginning of the season going bowling looked like a major goal (my <a href="https://www.underdogdynasty.com/georgia-southern-eagles/2018/8/14/17671460/georgia-southern-eagles-football-preview-2018-chad-lunsford">preseason prediction</a> was 6-6). Instead it became a foregone conclusion weeks ago thanks to a monumental improvement in form under head coach Chad Lunsford. </p>
<p id="EBU4FD">Let’s say it once and for all: College football is about the men on the sidelines. Now, let’s elbow drop a metal chair in celebration. </p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">EAGLES WIN <br><br>‼️BOWL ELIGIBLE‼️ <a href="https://t.co/6SiOTurdYB">pic.twitter.com/6SiOTurdYB</a></p>— #GATALifestyle (@GATALifestyle) <a href="https://twitter.com/GATALifestyle/status/1053814443631624193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2018</a>
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<p id="S1S0Ma">Anyway, back to tonight’s game. New Mexico State (2-6) is no longer in the Sun Belt after basically being kicked out a few years back, leading to this awkward affair (GS plays NMSU at home in 2019 before finally finishing with the Las Cruces bunch). </p>
<p id="Dmtk9t">As if seeking revenge for the conference snub, the Aggies jumped out to a quick 14-3 lead that had Eagle Nation terrified early on. NMSU went right at the Eagles’ vaunted secondary and cut straight through it at first, earning 141 yards on its first two drives alone. Southern had only allowed three first-quarter points all season coming into the game.</p>
<p id="zs9WU7">The start was eerily similar to the<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofqjdo2pFjQ"> 2014 matchup</a> between these teams, when the Aggies got to 14-0 before the Eagles churned out a relatively comfortable win. </p>
<p id="574Nna">This time around, Southern got a field goal on its first drive, then put the game away by scoring touchdowns on six possessions in a row. Wesley Kennedy, <span>Shai Werts</span>, <span>Logan Wright</span> and <span>Monteo Garrett</span> all featured in the scoring fest that turned an early deficit into a blowout. </p>
<p id="7fnar5">Check out <span>Werts</span>’ halftime numbers: </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shai Werts is 3-3 passing for 58 yards, with 70 yards rushing and a touchdown on just 6 carries (or 11.7 yards per rush). Remember when people didn't want him to start? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HailSouthern?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HailSouthern</a></p>— Haisten Willis (@HaistenWillis) <a href="https://twitter.com/HaistenWillis/status/1053792118072844288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2018</a>
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<p id="G22lrI">He was relatively quiet in the second half as the backfield trio took the stage. In total, the Eagles picked up 389 ground yards, plus a respectable 77 yards through the air on 4-4 passing. When the stat sheet looks like that it’s hard to lose. </p>
<p id="tnhN3t">The defense did its part too, coming up with three turnovers and, after giving up 17 early, keeping the Aggies off the board until a couple of scores in what was basically garbage time. The final score makes the game look closer than it really was, and the final score isn’t very close. </p>
<p id="8LXUSn">Shoutout to <span>Kindle Vildor</span> for the interception, and to CJ <span>Wright</span> and <span>Quan Griffin</span> for the fumble recoveries. Georgia Southern is an incredible +14 in turnover margin this season. </p>
<p id="Nu7SHm">The big question now on everyone’s minds: Do we have enough to beat App State next week?</p>
<p id="XA5mi5">The answer to that question is unequivocally yes, IF all goes well. Do not forget that GS defensive coordinator Scot Sloan spent the last eight seasons at App. He should know the Mountaineer offense better than almost anyone. Getting another turnover or two, or maybe three, will be absolutely key. Playing at home rather than a few thousand feet above sea level in Appalachia doesn’t hurt either. </p>
<p id="2y7VAX">Sloan’s defense is the embodiment of the “bend but don’t break” mantra. New Mexico State gained 443 yards tonight, just shy of Georgia Southern’s 466, but the Eagles gave up 17 less points. That formula will be strongly tested next week. </p>
<p id="MxYpLf">App State beat Louisiana today to reach 5-1, and I have to admit I was pulling for them just because it makes next week’s game that much bigger. Thursday night is gonna be fun, y’all.</p>
<p id="KlPU0s">Another legitimate question following tonight’s Georgia Southern game is whether redshirt freshman running back <span>Logan Wright</span> should take over as the starter. He filled in for the injured <span>Wesley Fields</span> and played lights out with 136 yards and two scores on 17 carries. Maybe it doesn’t matter who starts. No doubt <span>Fields</span> is a fantastic back, and so are Kennedy and <span>Garrett</span>, so there’s isn’t exactly a bad option (no pun intended).</p>
<p id="djHn0i">Let’s get the Eagles back to Statesboro safely and make the most of what’s going to be a very short week before they take on the Mountain Men. No matter what, it’s safe to say at this point that Georgia Southern is back. </p>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/georgia-southern-eagles/2018/10/20/18004254/georgia-southern-eagles-48-new-mexico-state-aggies-31-final-scoreHaisten Willis2018-10-06T19:07:49-04:002018-10-06T19:07:49-04:00Georgia Southern 48 South Alabama 13: Three things we learned from the Eagles’ homecoming win
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<img alt="Arkansas State v Georgia Southern" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TFbD8oO0hfpT8rNO-mzQ18E5eJo=/0x0:4829x3219/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61677067/1049132084.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chris Thelen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Chad Lunsford is legit. </p> <p id="H9DlFU">It is well for <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/georgia-southern-eagles">Georgia Southern Eagles</a> fans and alumni as the home team eased to a 48-13 homecoming win over the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/south-alabama-jaguars">South Alabama Jaguars</a>. </p>
<p id="XPexGp">GS didn’t exactly steamroll its opponent, but slowly and steadily built a lead as the game wore on. The offense was solid, the defense allowed some yards but made up for it with four turnovers and it’s Great to be an Eagle on a Saturday Night. </p>
<p id="tDhBpZ">Here are three things we learned from the win. </p>
<h1 id="0Ypcqn"><strong>Chad Lunsford is Legit</strong></h1>
<p id="mJ1F9p">What else can I say? Southern sits 4-1 just one year after an 0-6 start. It would be shocking for the Eagles to miss a bowl game at this point and a conference title is a real possibility for a team that went 2-10 last season. </p>
<p id="PCRurC">The Eagles look calm, composed and confident. Penalties are few while points aren’t. Best of all? We get to watch the head coach wreck a helpless metal chair after every win. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Georgia Southern coach Chad Lunsford celebrates better than your coach does. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GATALifestyle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GATALifestyle</a> <a href="https://t.co/aYOYu4TjXp">pic.twitter.com/aYOYu4TjXp</a></p>— MyBookie Sportsbook (@betmybookie) <a href="https://twitter.com/betmybookie/status/1046228524015673345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2018</a>
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<h1 id="dBlYQ1"><strong>So is the Secondary</strong></h1>
<p id="aXpVUR">The secondary unit led by <span>Joshua Moon</span>, <span>Monquavion Brinson</span> and <span>Jay Bowdry</span> was expected to be a standout squad for Georgia Southern. They’re living up to that billing. The defense killed any South Alabama momentum straight away with two early interceptions and kept the Jaguars at bay all afternoon. </p>
<p id="rpow9W"><span>Shai Werts</span> had a good game with 99 yards through the air, 85 on the ground, two scores and zero turnovers, but the offense couldn’t slam the door on the visitors early on. The strong secondary showing kept South Alabama from ever generating hope of pulling off the upset. </p>
<p id="OVDN1W">The box score suggests a much closer game as the Jaguars tallied 326 total yards of offense to the Eagles’ 394. To paraphrase GS defensive coordinator Scot Sloan: Yards aren’t what matters. Points are.</p>
<h1 id="BX3CGQ"><strong>Third Down Trials</strong></h1>
<p id="rFddxP">Shall we nitpick? Georgia Southern went just two of eight on third down conversions, and zero for one on fourth down, not to mention a few big plays were taken off the board due to offensive holding calls. The Jaguars weren’t completely out of it until a <span>Tomarcio Reese</span> fumble recovery and another <span>Werts</span> score made it 34-6 early in the fourth quarter. </p>
<p id="3qK41a">The shotgun-based option is working well, but would it be worthwhile to throw in just <em>one </em>under center formation for short yardage? It pains me to see the ball snapped back three yards when we need to gain less than one. </p>
<p id="JOHizM">A better team will make GS pay for little mistakes like that. There are better teams coming up on the schedule, and you and I both know who they are.</p>
<p id="4YOkMp">With that said, Georgia Southern just won on homecoming night. It Is Well. </p>
<div id="1H7Oiy"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 75.0019%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AwRSAHvVNRk?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/georgia-southern-eagles/2018/10/6/17946064/georgia-southern-eagles-48-south-alabama-jaguars-13Haisten Willis2018-09-12T08:00:02-04:002018-09-12T08:00:02-04:00Three questions on Georgia Southern vs. Clemson with Shakin the Southland’s Ryan Kantor
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<img alt="Florida State v Clemson" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mb_QYG1mZl1KCyGkVPXW0_Gw-O8=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61274749/872929202.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Who’s the best quarterback, where to tailgate and more.</p> <p id="KpGHIR">A pair of 2-0 teams face off Saturday as the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/georgia-southern-eagles">Georgia Southern Eagles</a> take on the <a href="https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/">Clemson Tigers</a> inside Death Valley (3:30 p.m., ESPN 2). </p>
<p id="ZBsmDo">It may be a tough task with Clemson sitting as a <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/odds?_ga=2.212368214.331414043.1536541681-117568073.1533748880">34.5-point favorite</a>, that won’t stop Eagle Nation from hitting South Carolina en masse to tailgate and pull for their team to do the impossible. </p>
<p id="iMqvNG">For a little more insight on this weekend’s opponent, we’ve asked <a href="https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/">Shakin the Southland</a> writer Ryan Kantor (who you should definitely <a href="https://twitter.com/ryan_kantor">follow on Twitter)</a> three questions about the big game. </p>
<p id="Qp2Xbf">Our questions are below, followed by Kantor’s answers. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="5fclbe">
<p id="0Nm1sY"><strong>HW: </strong><span><strong>Trevor Lawrence</strong></span><strong> or </strong><span><strong>Kelly Bryant</strong></span><strong>? </strong></p>
<p id="kU584x">RK: Both! In an article I wrote earlier this week, I argued the two quarterback system is adding intrigue and interest to every game and is working. They have complimentary skill sets and there’s no reason they can’t both get meaningful snaps. Here’s what head coach Dabo Swinney had to say about it following the Texas A&M game: </p>
<p id="E58mTJ"><em>“We want to continue to get Trevor in the game. He’s a special player, but we love what we see from Kelly. I think both of those guys can help our football team. If something really changes and separates where we have way more confidence in one guy, then you could see an adjustment somewhere down the road, but honestly I hope they will both play well with their opportunity. And if they do that I don’t see a situation where they can’t continue to play as we go.”</em></p>
<p id="ffhMLF"><strong>HW: How is Clemson approaching this game? Obviously the outcome shouldn’t be in much doubt, but opposing coaches over the years have expressed how much they hate facing the option. Will Dabo be glad to get this one over with?</strong></p>
<p id="UxEa3v">RK: We face Georgia Tech every season so it’s not nothing new for us. In fact, we face three triple option teams this season: Furman, Georgia Southern and Georgia Tech. Georgia Southern and Tech come in back-to-back weeks. This gives Clemson a nice advantage against the Yellow Jackets. </p>
<p id="oIpVdQ">Unfortunately, the Tech defense looked horrid in their week two loss to South Florida, so that advantage may be somewhat irrelevant and unnecessary. It would likely be better to get experience against a different type of offense and avoid the injury risk you have with cut blocking — which is oftentimes more prevalent with option offenses.</p>
<p id="YXe0Kk">On the flip side, this will be a good opportunity for Clemson’s offense to find its rhythm against a unit that is better than Furman, but not as daunting as Texas A&M. Our running game was slowed a lot by the Aggies so we’ll look to get that back on track this week.</p>
<p id="LF7eht"><strong>HW: You may be surprised at the number of Georgia Southern fans who show up in Clemson to pull for their Eagles and take in the scene. For those who make the trip, what are the best spots for tailgating, and which local restaurants/bars would you recommend? </strong></p>
<p id="NiDDwt">RK: If you’re coming up from the Atlanta metro or otherwise up I-85 you can buy a cheap parking pass at “SCM” (Seneca Creek Meadows) or “NS” (New Spring Church). New Spring is paved so if the forecast looks rainy, that’s a good play. These lots are the easiest in-and-out, but aren’t great for tailgating as you have to take a bus to campus. </p>
<p id="pEXJGi">By mid-week, most of these may be off StubHub and they’re advance purchase only so you’ll be left to pay $20 to park at the YMCA or Lot C1. The YMCA requires a shuttle onto campus. C1 is on campus and good for tailgating, but still a lengthy walk to the stadium.</p>
<p id="TCJ8Ts">The ESSO Club is the most famous restaurant/bar in town and deserves its reputation. The food is way above average for bar food and they have very reasonably priced drinks in a cool atmosphere. A newer restaurant/bar that I recommend is Study Hall. It’s downtown and has good tacos and drinks. It’s worth a stroll through downtown. They’ve done a nice job keeping the old-school charm of the strip.</p>
<p id="MnYKi9">There’s not any single landmark on campus that is a must see (besides the stadium), but I’d walk over to the library bridge and see the reflecting pond and surrounding academic buildings. It’s a good snapshot of campus and especially beautiful when viewing from the outdoor amphitheater where you can also see the band play pre-game. </p>
<p id="T2CWZV">Lastly, our basketball arena is newly remodeled and now has a great seating area they open on gamedays. If you get a little hot, are getting rained on, or just want to watch a bit of a noon game, walk into Littlejohn Coliseum and rest for a bit while watching TV on the big screen.</p>
<p id="FRTVZp">Clemson is full of epic tailgates and Southern hospitality. Georgia Southern fans making the trip will hopefully find it to be a positive experience.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="qhJeQC">
<p id="Kr5TeV">There you have it Eagle fans. Enjoy the day, park in the right spot and hit the Littlejohn Coliseum if you’re feeling a little overheated. We’ll see you in Death Valley on Saturday. </p>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/georgia-southern-eagles/2018/9/12/17845746/georgia-southern-eagles-clemson-tigers-shakin-the-southland-ryan-kantorHaisten WillisRyan Kantor2018-09-10T09:00:11-04:002018-09-10T09:00:11-04:00Say hello to Georgia Southern’s good luck travel gnome
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vuIO3H6tgY5mZDdQvQAoi5N0y10=/0x412:828x964/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61257557/DmB_O9oU4AAyzC2.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Say hello to my little friend. | Credit: @GSSportsNetwork</figcaption>
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<p>The Eagles will definitely need him in Week 3. </p> <p id="qEXTIK">There are many things new to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/georgia-southern-eagles">Georgia Southern Eagles</a> football program in 2018. New head coach, new (old) offense, new travel gnome. </p>
<p id="SztpS2">Wait, what was that third one? </p>
<p id="0z046E">That’s right, Georgia Southern now has its very own travel gnome, which will also serve as a good luck charm for the coming season. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EagleNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EagleNation</a> meet our new good luck charm/travel gnome! We need your help in naming him. Tweet your suggestions! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GATA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GATA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WingsUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WingsUp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HailSouthern?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HailSouthern</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrueBlue?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TrueBlue</a> <a href="https://t.co/aLRTJJdmHQ">pic.twitter.com/aLRTJJdmHQ</a></p>— Georgia Southern Sports Network (@GSSportsNetwork) <a href="https://twitter.com/GSSportsNetwork/status/1035967819274280961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2018</a>
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<p id="LNdz72">You think the Eagles’ 2-0 start is due to head coach Chad Lunsford and a revived offense fueled by quarterback <span>Shai Werts</span>? Think again. </p>
<p id="ULKIZc">Okay, those probably are the reasons GS is 2-0, but a good luck gnome can’t hurt either. </p>
<p id="A7yQDZ">The as-yet-unnamed travel gnome stands undefeated as I write this, but he’ll face his biggest test of the season by a wide margin this week as Georgia Southern treks north to face the mighty <a href="https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/">Clemson Tigers</a>. Early betting has the Eagles as <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/odds?_ga=2.220061659.331414043.1536541681-117568073.1533748880">34.5-point underdogs</a> in Death Valley.</p>
<p id="rwBEfq">Translation: It’s Gnome Time. </p>
<p id="Z0alMd">Should GS come away with the win, Mr. Gnome may enjoy instant induction to the Georgia Southern sports hall of fame and his own gloriously short statue outside the gates of Paulson Stadium. </p>
<p id="NCUocx">More pressingly, there’s also the matter of naming the gnome. For now he’s simply the good luck travel gnome, but the powers that be have informed us here at Underdog Dynasty that a formal moniker will be adopted by next weekend. </p>
<p id="OUiJCG">Eagle Nation responded to the original tweet’s call for ideas with a flurry of options, including Runt (as in the Erk Russell phrase “runts try harder”), Erken StrongRun, Young Gnomie Quan, Gnomercy, and um, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7loPH3UVj4c">Brooks Keel</a>. </p>
<p id="PCSigZ">While we have no power over which name gets the nod, we have inserted a poll below where you can vote for your favorite honorific or stage a long-shot write-in campaign. After all, it’s election season in America. </p>
<p id="OixOGf">Good luck gnome namers, and good luck to the Eagles against Clemson. </p>
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https://www.underdogdynasty.com/georgia-southern-eagles/2018/9/10/17839602/georgia-southern-eagles-good-luck-travel-gnomeHaisten Willis2018-09-01T21:00:53-04:002018-09-01T21:00:53-04:00Georgia Southern 37 South Carolina State 6: Three things we learned from the Eagles’ opening win
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<img alt="Georgia State v Georgia Southern" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1kA_7m6HWkwlO18qOBvzBAB7Lm4=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61111019/870250098.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Todd Bennett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>GS is 1-0, but it wasn’t always pretty. </p> <p id="7P1mEX">It wasn’t quite as easy as it looked for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/georgia-southern-eagles">Georgia Southern Eagles</a> as they burned out a 37-6 win over the South Carolina State Bulldogs Saturday night at Paulson Stadium. </p>
<p id="66Xjn1">For the most part the contest was as advertised. GS comfortably turned in a season-opening win against an overmatched opponent and hopefully worked out the kinks as we move closer to conference football. A crowd of 15,260 showed up and showed out, then headed home for the evening as attention turns to week two. </p>
<p id="4XBtsU">The score line looks right, but it was far from convincing at times. South Carolina State hung around even as its offense stalled and wasn’t completely out of it until <span>Shai Werts</span> ran in his second rushing score to make it 29-6 at 10:30 of the fourth quarter.</p>
<p id="vfNqM7">We’ll see how things go from here on out. In the mean time, three thoughts from game one: </p>
<h1 id="qt4yBS"><strong>So Far So Good for Chad Lunsford</strong></h1>
<p id="MEQXPL">GS didn’t do much on its opening drive, then bulldozed down the field for a seven-play, 42-yard touchdown on its second. That’s how tonight’s game went. Every good sign was soon followed by bad and vice versa. </p>
<p id="IGMYzF">Wesley Kennedy looked dangerous on punt returns, <span>Shai Werts</span> looked comfortable at quarterback and the defense kept SCSU in check for most of the night. Next week we’ll learn a little more against UMass, and then the Orange Tigers of Clemson await with a much, much tougher test. </p>
<p id="KIzte9">On defense, nose tackle <span>Ty Phillips</span> had a memorable night with a 17-yard fumble recovery that led to the Eagles’ second touchdown, as did linebacker <span>Tomarcio Reese</span> on an early interception. On offense...</p>
<h1 id="ra0PPX"><strong>The Option is Back (I Think) </strong></h1>
<p id="7ewBwd">We keep saying this and hoping it’s true. Werts was dangerous in any kind of open space, evoking memories of every quick Georgia Southern backfield star you can name. </p>
<p id="arJ9cO">He had an especially sick move on the Eagles’ second touchdown, buying time via a fake pitch to get into the end zone. In total, Werts went 5-7 for 29 yards passing, and turned in a career high on the ground with 163 rushing yards and three touchdowns. </p>
<p id="ys2zam">It all came via the shotgun-based, updated option run by many teams in 2018, but that’s close enough for me. </p>
<p id="ZPr4z4">There were a few aspects of the option that went sorely missed. For one, GS went for it on fourth down just once, mostly choosing to play it safe even in short-yardage situations. Call me old school but a true option team goes for it. On the other hand, ball control was above average as the Eagles finished with exactly zero turnovers.</p>
<h1 id="EVwDlQ"><strong>2-0 is in View</strong></h1>
<p id="Z5ho2H">Who’s ready to match last year’s win total on Sept. 8? </p>
<p id="3YroUe">That could be the case as UMass rolls into Statesboro next weekend. The Minutemen sit 1-1 with a win over Duquesne and loss to Boston College, and are coming off a 2017 season in which they went just 4-8 (though one of those four wins came against Georgia Southern in Tyson Summers’ final game as head coach). </p>
<p id="Oa3sva">It might be time to start looking up if Georgia Southern can get past a peer mid-major squad next week. </p>
<p id="aW0C3x"><strong>Elsewhere: </strong></p>
<p id="zTnTq7">Fans were treated to a rendition of Waka Flocka Flame’s 2010 hit “Hard in Da Paint” each time South Carolina State’s offense faced a third down. Chad Lunsford’s <a href="http://www.savannahnow.com/sports/20180829/2018-georgia-southern-season-preview-time-is-now-for-lunsford-and-company">“more fun”</a> approach could be felt even through the PA speakers. </p>
<p id="w4Z93z">This, apparently, is a thing. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EagleNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EagleNation</a> meet our new good luck charm/travel gnome! We need your help in naming him. Tweet your suggestions! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GATA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GATA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WingsUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WingsUp</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HailSouthern?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HailSouthern</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrueBlue?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TrueBlue</a> <a href="https://t.co/aLRTJJdmHQ">pic.twitter.com/aLRTJJdmHQ</a></p>— Georgia Southern Sports Network (@GSSportsNetwork) <a href="https://twitter.com/GSSportsNetwork/status/1035967819274280961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2018</a>
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https://www.underdogdynasty.com/georgia-southern-eagles/2018/9/1/17810286/georgia-southern-eagles-37-south-carolina-state-6-final-scoreHaisten Willis2018-08-31T08:00:02-04:002018-08-31T08:00:02-04:00Georgia Southern ready to show out against SCSU
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<img alt="Georgia State v Georgia Southern" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aD0qCm1gD7gMXYuuw_SkEaKRfP8=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61071807/870151270.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Todd Bennett/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It’s Show Out time in Statesboro. </p> <p id="WLwgrL">For the first time in nearly two years, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/georgia-southern-eagles">Georgia Southern Eagles</a> can find themselves with a winning record should they get past the South Carolina State Bulldogs on Saturday. </p>
<p id="2zks7L">But who are we kidding. At this point in the year everyone’s just happy to see an actual pigskin flying through the air, end-over-end or otherwise. There’s a game at Paulson Stadium this Saturday, and that’s good enough for me.</p>
<p id="OLe0aZ"><strong>Start Time:</strong> 6:05 p.m. EST, Saturday, Sept. 1</p>
<p id="0VbaBY"><strong>Location: </strong>Paulson Stadium, Statesboro, Georgia</p>
<p id="roMPOx"><strong>TV/Streaming:</strong> ESPN+, with Greg Talbott providing play by play and Danny Waugh as analyst</p>
<p id="8fd2I1"><strong>Records: </strong>Georgia Southern (0-0, 0-0 Sun Belt), SCSU (0-0, 0-0 MEAC)</p>
<p id="rpXMhn"><strong>Weather:</strong> 86 degrees at kickoff, 6 MPH winds, partly cloudy, 4 percent chance of rain</p>
<p id="EwHtNV"><strong>Betting Line:</strong> Officially none, although <a href="https://sportschatplace.com/cfb-picks/2018/09/01/georgia-southern-vs-south-carolina-state-9/1/18-college-football-pick-odds-and-prediction">this site</a> lists GS as a 27-point favorite with an over/under of 45 </p>
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<h1 id="rauadM"><strong>Georgia Southern Outlook</strong></h1>
<p id="W0j2ro">It looks like football season. </p>
<p id="8Ax1s0">As we <a href="https://www.underdogdynasty.com/georgia-southern-eagles/2018/8/14/17671460/georgia-southern-eagles-football-preview-2018-chad-lunsford">said previously</a>, there’s nowhere to fly but up for the Eagles. South Carolina State may be an underwhelming opening day opponent, but the Bulldogs present a great chance for GS to work out any issues with the new offense and get halfway to matching last year’s win total in the process. </p>
<p id="2aIql9">Head coach Chad Lunsford said the transition into Bob DeBesse’s scheme is coming along nicely, with players settling into the terminology and beginning to get into a rhythm. They’ll test all of that out against their HBCU opposition this weekend. </p>
<p id="tZgelq">GS has <a href="http://www.savannahnow.com/sports/20180827/eagle-extras-georgia-southern-releases-depth-chart-ahead-of-sc-state-opener">released its week one depth chart</a> which, among other things, lists <span>Colby Ransom</span> and <span>Mark Michaud</span> as starters at receiver ahead of Darion Anderson and Obe Fortune. Look for <span>Wesley Kennedy III</span> to return both kickoffs (provided any are returned) and punts. </p>
<p id="BHeNfA"><span>Shai Werts</span> is of course the starter at quarterback, and will receive plenty of scrutiny regardless of the outcome. Redshirt freshman <span>Brian Miller</span> gets the nod at right tackle, while <span>Logan Wright</span> has won the third-string running back slot behind <span>Wesley Fields</span> and Monteo Garrett. It has also been revealed that DeBesse will call plays from the booth rather than being on the field. </p>
<p id="0FFl4N">Other than that, your guess is as good as mine. It’s a new era on Eagle Creek and we’ll have a whole lot more to talk about come Sunday morning. </p>
<h1 id="uGd0fZ"><strong>South Carolina State Outlook</strong></h1>
<p id="o1xyJi">This will be the eighth time Georgia Southern has faced the Orangeburg Bulldogs. The Eagles sit 7-0 in the series and should make it 8-0 this weekend. </p>
<p id="qsibPO">The teams last met in the 2010 playoffs, with the Eagles running away with an easy 41-16 victory. Those were better days for both squads. SCSU went just 3-7 in 2017, after going 5-6 in 2016 and 7-4 in 2015. In other words, the Bulldogs have been making the opposite of progress the last three years. </p>
<p id="vIhqzB">Head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough has been at South Carolina State since 2002, though he does roll into Paulson with a new offensive coordinator in the form of Bennett Swygert. </p>
<p id="IjuTpT">Tyrece Nick is expected to start at quarterback ahead of last year’s no. 1, Atlanta native Dewann Ford, who started nine games last year and may see time in this game as well in SCSU’s pass-first offense. </p>
<p id="I5OTWU">Either way, it should not give GS too much trouble, especially given the Eagles’ strong secondary unit. Not only that, SCSU faces UCF in week two. That’s a daunting task that may linger somewhere in the minds of SCSU’s players, making an already difficult task that much harder. </p>
<p id="m0OZ24">Sun Belt fans are familiar with guarantee games, and this is the same thing in reverse. Georgia Southern has won 20 straight home games against non-conference opponents. Fans will tailgate all day long, see old friends, honk when the school buses roll into the parking lot and enjoy and easy win to begin September. </p>
<p id="ciZxrt"><strong>Prediction:</strong> Georgia Southern 28, South Carolina State 10. </p>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/georgia-southern-eagles/2018/8/31/17797588/georgia-southern-eagles-vs-south-carolina-state-bulldogs-how-to-watch-streaming-preview-bettingHaisten Willis