Georgia Southern Eagles
Southern
In the last two years, Georgia Southern’s season ended with a playoff loss to the national runner-up Delaware in 2010 and the national champion North Dakota State in 2011. So the Eagles always are a serious player in the 20-team field, and this year’s success is no surprise. Georgia Southern returned several players on both sides of the ball and was the preseason pick to win the league title. Still, a key victory this year came against an unlikely suspect. On October 20th, the Eagles beat Furman 38-17, but they trailed 7-3 at halftime and reportedly got an earful from Coach Jeff Monken during intermission. They shared the Southern Conference title this year with Appalachian State and Wofford.
2012 Record: 8-3, 6-2
Coach: Jeff Monken
Big Wins: 10/13 Wofford (17-9), 10/27 at Chattanooga (39-31)
Bad Losses: 9/8 at Citadel (21-23), 11/3 Appalachian State (28-31)
Strengths:
Georgia Southern loves the triple-option attack and is good at it. The Eagles lead the FCS with an average of 401.2 rushing yards a game. Quarterback Jerick McKinnon runs the offense while Dominique Swope is the top running back. Swope did suffer a concussion late in the season, but he did come back against Howard in the next-to-last game. Georgia Southern has tallied 350 or more yards of total offense in all but two games this season, including 597 against Howard. The Eagles usually start fast and have outscored their opponents 110-53 in the first quarter.
Weaknesses:
If the Eagles get behind and someone can stop their running attack, don’t expect Georgia Southern to go to its aerial game. They were 120th nationally with an average of 66.10 yards a game. They did throw for 165 yards on 10 attempts in their comeback win at Furman this fall. Georgia Southern is only 60th in red zone offense. Kicking is a concern too. Alex Hanks has made just 6-of-13 field goals and missed three field goals in the loss to Appalachian State. The team’s punter isn’t even listed. The status of All-America nose tackle Brent Russell is uncertain after being arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and obstruction of a law enforcement officer in early November.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Jerick McKinnon, QB, 1,162 yards
Passing: Jerick McKinnon, QB, 412 yards
Receiving: Zach Walker, WR, 256 yards
Tackles: John Stevenson, LB, 94
Sacks: Javon Mention, DE, 6.5
Interceptions: Valdon Cooper, CB, 2; Lavelle Westbrooks, CB, 2
2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 401.20 (1st in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 66.10 (120, 8)
Total Offense: 467.30 (9, 1)
Scoring Offense: 37.60 (10, 1)
Rushing Defense: 131.50 (30, 2)
Pass Defense: 182.40 (28, 5)
Total Defense: 313.90 (18, 2)
Scoring Defense: 18.90 (16, 2)
Turnover Margin: -0.30 (78, 7)
Sacks: 2.50 (25, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 0.70 (5, 2)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
2011 Second Round Defeated Old Dominion
2011 Quarterfinals Defeated Maine
2011 Semifinals Lost to North Dakota State
2010 First Round Defeated South Carolina State
2010 Second Round Defeated William & Mary
2010 Quarterfinals Defeated Wofford
2010 Semifinals Lost to Delaware
2005 First Round Lost to Texas State
2004 First Round Lost to New Hampshire
2002 First Round Defeated Bethune-Cookman
2002 Quarterfinals Defeated Maine
2002 Semifinals Lost to Western Kentucky
2001 First Round Defeated Florida A&M
2001 Quarterfinals Defeated Appalachian State
2001 Semifinals Lost to Furman
2000 First Round Defeated McNeese State
2000 Quarterfinals Defeated Hofstra
2000 Semifinals Defeated Delaware
2000 Championship Defeated Montana
1999 First Round Defeated Northern Arizona
1999 Quarterfinals Defeated Massachusetts
1999 Semifinals Defeated Illinois State
1999 Championship Defeated Youngstown State
1998 First Round Defeated Colgate
1998 Quarterfinals Defeated Connecticut
1998 Semifinals Defeated Western Illinois
1998 Championship Lost to Massachusetts
1997 First Round Defeated Florida A&M
1997 Quarterfinals Lost to Delaware
1995 First Round Defeated Troy
1995 Quarterfinals Lost to Montana
1993 First Round Defeated Eastern Kentucky
1993 Quarterfinals Lost to Youngstown State
1990 First Round Defeated Citadel
1990 Quarterfinals Defeated Idaho
1990 Semifinals Defeated UCF
1990 Championship Defeated Nevada
1989 First Round Defeated Villanova
1989 Quarterfinals Defeated Middle Tennessee State
1989 Semifinals Defeated Montana
1989 Championship Defeated Stephen F. Austin
1988 First Round Defeated Citadel
1988 Quarterfinals Defeated Stephen F. Austin
1988 Semifinals Defeated Eastern Kentucky
1988 Championship Lost to Furman
1987 First Round Defeated Maine
1987 Quarterfinals Lost to Appalachian State
1986 First Round Defeated North Carolina A&T
1986 Quarterfinals Defeated Nicholls State
1986 Semifinals Defeated Nevada
1986 Championship Defeated Arkansas State
1985 First Round Defeated Jackson State
1985 Quarterfinals Defeated Middle Tennessee State
1985 Semifinals Defeated Northern Iowa
1985 Championship Defeated Furman
*all team stats through 11/10
