Georgia Southern Eagles stats, records, schedule, and standings

Eagles

Georgia Southern Eagles

NCAAF – SUN BELT

TEAM LEADERS

Georgia Southern Eagles Football Team

Georgia Southern Team News and Picks

Georgia Southern heads into the 2021 season with a few question marks but a lot of talent returning from last season’s 8-5 campaign that ended with a bowl victory. The Eagles’ running game will continue to be the strength of the offense, but questions over who will be under center will continue throughout the season.

Coach Chad Lunsford’s squad will also have some holes to fill on defense, though nine starters return from a solid unit. How quickly the holes can be filled will determine how fast of a start the team can get off to.

The chance is there to be in contention for the Sun Belt East title, though that means things have to come together in a hurry. Either way, the Eagles will likely have a shot at a fourth straight bowl game.

Georgia Southern Standings

The Georgia Southern Eagles are a determined and disciplined team, with a focus on teamwork and a commitment to excellence.

Their stats and standings are a testament to their hard work, with a winning record and a solid presence in the league.

Whether they’re playing at home or on the road, the Eagles always bring their best, making them a team to watch in the NCAAF.

Georgia Southern Betting Trends

2020 Summary

COVID-19 was a problem for the Eagles in 2020, though it, fortunately, did not force any cancellations, as Georgia Southern tied for the most games played in FBS with 13. Still, the uncertainty each week of what might happen was a stress on the team.

A two-point loss at then-No. 19 Louisiana was the only blemish through the first four games of the season, and the Eagles sat at 6-2 after eight games before two straight setbacks to end November.

Still, after a split of the final two regular-season games, Georgia Southern earned a third straight bowl berth, taking on Louisiana Tech in the New Orleans Bowl. The Eagles capped a wild season with a victory, winning by a dominating 38-3 score.

Key Players

The leading candidate for the quarterback job is Justin Tomlin, who is a solid runner. Whether it’s Tomlin or someone else under center, the running back tandem of JD King and Logan Wright will be a key to the team’s running game flourishing again.

To that end, the offensive line must play well, and with four of five starters returning, led by senior guard Aaron Dowdell, it should be able to do its job. When the Eagles go to the air, Khaleb Hood will be a key target.

Sophomore cornerback Derrick Canteen leads a solid secondary that will get tested often in Sun Belt play. Safety Anthony Wilson is another part of that group, while linebacker/defensive end Randy Wade will be counted on to make plays all over the field.

New Additions

Georgia Tech transfer James Graham was thought to be in line to compete for the quarterback job, but it appears he’s going to be moving to receiver,. Where he could make an immediate impact. Graham could fit under center as well, where he threw 12 touchdown passes for the Yellow Jackets in 2019, but for now, he’ll likely be on the receiving end of throws.

Amare Jones adds to the running back depth after coming to the Eagles from Tulane. The defense could get a boost from a pair of linebacker transfers, Andrew Johnson from Oregon and Khadry Jackson from North Carolina.

Key Subtractions

The defense took some hits, with leading tackler Rashad Byrd and third-leading tackler Reynard Ellis both having departed. Also gone is the team’s best pass rusher from a season ago, Raymond Johnson.

Offensively, the quarterback situation is up in the air because of last year’s starter, Shai Werts, transferring to Louisville. Werts led the Eagles with 720 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns a season ago.

Divisional Outlook

The Eagles are in a group of three just below the top tandem in the Sun Belt East of Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State. Georgia Southern will battle with Troy and Georgia State in that next tier but hoping to move up with some big wins in conference play.

Many of the Eagles’ biggest conference games are at home, with Coastal Carolina, Louisiana, and Georgia State all coming to Allen E. Paulson Stadium. Georgia Southern finishes the regular season at Appalachian State and hopes that game has some division-title implications.

Georgia Southern Team Offense

The Eagles’ specialty is the ground game, having averaged 371 yards and 27 points per game a season ago. The question at quarterback could be a sticking point, but Tomlin got to experience last season, rushing for 197 yards and passing for another 161.

King and Wright will be back after each going over 600 yards (King 625, Wright 602) and combining for nine touchdowns in 2020. Newcomer Jones adds to the mix after he ran for 389 yards and a pair of scores for Tulane last season.

Graham could add some versatility to the offense at receiver, either running or catching the ball. Hood had 15 receptions for 224 yards and will be one of the top pass-catchers this season as well.

The best player on the Georgia Southern offense could be Dowdell. He leads four starters back from a unit that blocked for the ground game that gained 267 yards per game in 2020.

Georgia Southern Team Defense

In a conference full of passing attacks, the Georgia Southern secondary will have to be at its best week in and week out. When at its best, the Eagles’ defensive backfield ranks pretty high up with lots of returning talent.

Canteen had five interceptions a season ago, while safety Justin Birdsong had three, contributing to a defense that led the nation in takeaways. Wilson is the team’s leading returning tackler with 67 in 2020.

Wade and Benz Josue are two key linebackers for the Eagles, who get a boost from the arrivals of Jackson and Andrew Johnson at the position. The line should be solid again, with Justin Ellis and CJ Wright the top returnees.

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