Football | 4/13/2016 2:34:00 PM

Spring football roster | Buy season tickets | Spring Game Central

STATESBORO, Ga. – The third annual Tailgate Cook-Off, an autograph session, a UniFlame Gas Grill giveaway and newly added Punt, Pass, and Kick highlight the activities surrounding the Blue vs. White Spring Football Game this Saturday, April 16 at newly turfed Paulson Stadium. Here are a few things you need to know to get you through the day:

• Admission and parking are free, gates open at 11 a.m., and the scrimmage kicks off at noon. Stretching will begin at approximately 11:30 a.m. Fans can enter through Gate 12 at the west end of the stadium near the main parking lot behind Bishop Field House, or through Gate 5 by the Cowart Building. The north side of the stadium will be the only section open for seating in the stadium to the general public. Concessions will be open throughout the game plus a Georgia Southern Merchandise tent will be open for fans to purchase the latest gear. The Southern Pride Marching Band, cheerleaders and GUS will be also be in attendance adding to excitement of the day.

• There is a concert Friday in the parking lot outside of Paulson Stadium, so fans will not be able to park in the vicinity until Saturday morning.

• Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase season tickets at the Athletic Ticketing kiosk on the north concourse. Fans can save 140 percent by purchasing season tickets which start as low as $75.

• Newly branded Georgia Southern Inflatables will also be available on the Field of Dreams. Kids can jump on the moon bounce or race through the 44 foot-long obstacle course. They can improve their quarterback skills on the football toss game, too. 

• All current GS students are invited to eat free pizza and engage in a Q&A with new head coach Tyson Summers before the game starting at 11:15 a.m. in the west side club seating area, Section 106.

• The Third Annual Spring Football Tailgate Cook-Off will also take place with tasting beginning at 10:45 a.m. and concluding at 11:45 a.m. Eagle fans are invited to serve as tasting judges for $3 to enter the tailgate zone, sample the food and complete a ballot to determine the top four. Scores from the tasting judges will be calculated, and winners will be announced during the game. The top-place tailgate and grill masters win a one-night stay at a hotel plus two tickets to the Georgia Southern vs. Georgia Tech game in Atlanta Oct. 15, 2016. To enter the contest, a team or individual must register online by today (April 13) and pay a $20 cash fee per entry on site April 16.

• Fans at the game can enter a drawing for a UniFlame Gas Grill at the marketing kiosk on the north concourse. Fans must be at least 18 years old to enter the drawing. 

• Newly added to the activities this year is the Punt, Pass and Kick Contest for kids, ages 5-12. Little Eagles (boys and girls) will have an opportunity to showcase their football skills on the field before the game. The cost to compete is free and every child will receive a T-shirt and the winners receive their very own trophy. Check-in will begin at 8:45 a.m. at the stadium and the contest will begin at 9:30 a.m. For complete information, competition rules, and to register click here.

• Following the Spring Game, all fans are encouraged to stick around for a 30-minute autograph session with the players and head coach Tyson Summers. Fans can grab a free, limited-edition Spring Football Poster to get signed, or bring their own items to have autographed. See rules and regulations here.

• The team will be presented its GoDaddy Bowl championship rings in a ceremony between the end of the game and the start of the autograph session.

Weekend Events
• Men's Tennis vs. Georgia State – Friday, April 15 at 3 p.m. | Wallis Tennis Center
• Punt, Pass and Kick Contest - Saturday, April 16 | 9:30 a.m. | Paulson Stadium
• Third Annual Spring Football Tailgate Cook-off – Saturday, April 16 | Tasting begins at 10:45 a.m.
• Blue-White Spring Football Game – Saturday, April 16 at Noon | Paulson Stadium
• Men's Tennis vs. Appalachian State – April 16 at 2 p.m. | Wallis Tennis Center
• Softball vs. South Alabama – Saturday, April 16 at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Softball vs. South Alabama – Sunday, April 17 at 1 p.m.

Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. Eagle fans can follow Coach Tyson Summers' twitter account @TysonSummersGSU. For tickets, call 1-800-GSU-WINS or visit GSEagles.com/tickets.