Tech returns home from 3 straight weeks of conference games to face the Eagles in what should again be a near-sellout and a lot of GSU fannies in BDS. Love it. We need to do this more often. Tech has an open date the week after this game before hosting Duke on homecoming. The Eagles of course are entering into a new head coaching era as Tyson Summers, a native of Tifton, took over from Willie Fritz, who left to become head coach at Tulane. Summers was on Mike Bobo's staff as Defensive Coordinator at Colorado State for 1 season. Prior to that, he spent time under George O'Leary at UCF for 3 seasons.
Game Info: Oct. 15, Time and TV TBA...this game likely will get some kind of TV coverage such as ESPN-U or the like...big games in the ACC that day include Cheaters at Miami and NC State at Clemson. Duke travels to Louisville on Friday night. Other games include Wake at FSU, Pitt at Virginia, and the Hokies at Syracuse. While this will be the 3rd straight road game for the Eagles, they will have some extra time to get ready as their previous game is on a Wednesday night at Arkansas State on Oct. 5th for a weeknight filler game for ESPN-2. It will not be a shock at all if GSU steps onto Grant Field with a 5-0 record or more likely 4-1.
Last Meeting: Tech built an impressive 35-10 halftime lead in the 3rd game of the 2014 campaign only to see GSU come flying back in the 2nd half to take the lead 38-35 before an ultra-exciting ending when JT5 hit Deon Hill for a 13 yard TD pass with 23 seconds left for the Tech win, 42-38.
All-Time Series: That 2014 game was the only one between the 2 programs.
Georgia Southern Offense: In his initial presser when hired, HC Summers advised he wanted to "build off the offense that is in place" and who can blame him? With spread option out of the gun schemes, the Eagles finished 46th in the nation in total offense a year ago and #1 in the nation in rushing yards per game at 363.0. At 36.5 ppg, they finished tied for 24th in Scoring per game. Summers assigned co-offensive coordinators in QB Coach, Rance Gillespie, and WR Coach, David Dean. Gillespie spent 3 years at GSU, but has spent most of his career in the HS ranks, including the last 6 years as Head Coach at historical powerhouse, Valdosta HS. Dean was a former walk-on for Bill Curry ('82-'85) at Tech, though his alma mater is listed as Georgia State. He joins GSU from being head coach at Valdosta State University for the past 9 years. Their personnel is built to run this offense that stormed back 2 years ago on Grant Field. Ted Roof and his troops had better tackle well or this offense could make Tech look silly.
Georgia Southern Defense: HC Summers is a defensive-minded guy. He hired Lorenzo Costantini as his Defensive Coordinator. They worked together under O'Leary at UCF. Costantini's previous role was DL Coach at UCF '13-15. The Eagles were a solid 21st in the nation in Total D a season ago. And, 38th in the nation in Scoring D giving up 23.5 ppg.
What I Expect To Happen: While there are a LOT of new faces playing far bigger roles now than 2 years ago when GSU almost spoiled what turned out to be a season to remember for Tech, I think the upperclassmen and CPJ will remind these guys about how GSU can defeat P5 teams (remember the Swamp not long ago?) and how they won't give up (see Grant Field '14). Tech had the chance to absolutely destroy the Eagles 2 years ago and while so much is rightfully made of the Eagles comeback in the 2nd half, little is said or recalled about how dominant Tech was in the 1st half. I think Tech rolls into this home game with a chip on its shoulder in what is perhaps a must-win kind of game if any postseason meaningless exhibition games are desired. I think the game is close at the half, but JT5 and crew have a great 2nd half with some key adjustments. High scoring fun affair on Grant Field... Tech wins 42-24...Tech moves to 4-3/1-3 on the season.
Game Info: Oct. 15, Time and TV TBA...this game likely will get some kind of TV coverage such as ESPN-U or the like...big games in the ACC that day include Cheaters at Miami and NC State at Clemson. Duke travels to Louisville on Friday night. Other games include Wake at FSU, Pitt at Virginia, and the Hokies at Syracuse. While this will be the 3rd straight road game for the Eagles, they will have some extra time to get ready as their previous game is on a Wednesday night at Arkansas State on Oct. 5th for a weeknight filler game for ESPN-2. It will not be a shock at all if GSU steps onto Grant Field with a 5-0 record or more likely 4-1.
Last Meeting: Tech built an impressive 35-10 halftime lead in the 3rd game of the 2014 campaign only to see GSU come flying back in the 2nd half to take the lead 38-35 before an ultra-exciting ending when JT5 hit Deon Hill for a 13 yard TD pass with 23 seconds left for the Tech win, 42-38.
All-Time Series: That 2014 game was the only one between the 2 programs.
Georgia Southern Offense: In his initial presser when hired, HC Summers advised he wanted to "build off the offense that is in place" and who can blame him? With spread option out of the gun schemes, the Eagles finished 46th in the nation in total offense a year ago and #1 in the nation in rushing yards per game at 363.0. At 36.5 ppg, they finished tied for 24th in Scoring per game. Summers assigned co-offensive coordinators in QB Coach, Rance Gillespie, and WR Coach, David Dean. Gillespie spent 3 years at GSU, but has spent most of his career in the HS ranks, including the last 6 years as Head Coach at historical powerhouse, Valdosta HS. Dean was a former walk-on for Bill Curry ('82-'85) at Tech, though his alma mater is listed as Georgia State. He joins GSU from being head coach at Valdosta State University for the past 9 years. Their personnel is built to run this offense that stormed back 2 years ago on Grant Field. Ted Roof and his troops had better tackle well or this offense could make Tech look silly.
Georgia Southern Defense: HC Summers is a defensive-minded guy. He hired Lorenzo Costantini as his Defensive Coordinator. They worked together under O'Leary at UCF. Costantini's previous role was DL Coach at UCF '13-15. The Eagles were a solid 21st in the nation in Total D a season ago. And, 38th in the nation in Scoring D giving up 23.5 ppg.
What I Expect To Happen: While there are a LOT of new faces playing far bigger roles now than 2 years ago when GSU almost spoiled what turned out to be a season to remember for Tech, I think the upperclassmen and CPJ will remind these guys about how GSU can defeat P5 teams (remember the Swamp not long ago?) and how they won't give up (see Grant Field '14). Tech had the chance to absolutely destroy the Eagles 2 years ago and while so much is rightfully made of the Eagles comeback in the 2nd half, little is said or recalled about how dominant Tech was in the 1st half. I think Tech rolls into this home game with a chip on its shoulder in what is perhaps a must-win kind of game if any postseason meaningless exhibition games are desired. I think the game is close at the half, but JT5 and crew have a great 2nd half with some key adjustments. High scoring fun affair on Grant Field... Tech wins 42-24...Tech moves to 4-3/1-3 on the season.
