Eagles Return to Paulson Stadium for Homecoming

STATESBORO, Ga. – Georgia Southern Football returns to Paulson Stadium this Saturday (Oct. 27) at noon for Homecoming 2007, playing host to The Citadel. This marks the 26th Homecoming game, and the Eagles – who will face the Bulldogs for the fifth time - own a 21-4 record on Homecoming.

The game will be televised live on Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast (CSS). Every Eagle football game can also be heard on the Georgia Southern Radio Network (flagship station 102.9 FM in Statesboro). Chris Blair, Terry Harvin and Ryan Chambers will call the action as the pregame broadcast begins at 10 a.m.

This Southern Conference match-up also features two nationally-ranked programs.

The Eagles (5-2 overall, 2-2 SoCon) return to Paulson following their first win at Appalachian State’s Kidd Brewer Stadium since 2001, ending the Mountaineers 30-game win streak. After a week hiatus, Georgia Southern re-entered the ‘Top 25’ poll at 22nd. The 25th-ranked Bulldogs (5-2, 3-1) are coming off a 37-24 victory against Western Carolina.

Georgia Southern continues to lead the nation averaging 340.7 rushing yards per game. The Eagles also rank sixth in total offense (468.9), third in scoring (41 points), and tied for 18^th in turnover margin (1.00). In fact, the 2007 Eagles are the only team in program history to start the year scoring at least 33 points in every game.

Walter Payton Award candidate Jayson Foster (Canton/Cherokee County) continues to lead the league and rank among the nation’s best in several offensive categories. The senior quarterback ranks: third in rushing (161.6 ypg), 16th in total offense (267.7 ypg), fourth in scoring (13.7 ppg), 12th in all-purpose yards (179.3) and 62nd in punt returns (6.3 yards).

Billy Lowe (Lakeland, FL/Lakeland) was named SoCon ‘Freshman of the Week’ on Monday (Oct. 22).  The quarterback is the fourth different Georgia Southern rookie to receive the weekly honor. He completed 8-of-11 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown in the win at Appalachian State.

Senior running back Lamar Lewis (Jacksonville, FL/First Coast) ranks third in the SoCon and 37th nationally compiling 96 rushing yards per game. He also ranks 97th nationally with 103.2 all-purpose yards per game.

Junior Jesse Hartley (Tallahassee, FL/Lincoln) leads the league converting 12 field goals (12-of-16) and is tied for sixth nationally in that category. Hartley, who has hit 35-of-35 extra points, averages 10.1 points per game, third-best in the league and ninth nationally.

Junior defensive end Larry Beard (Fairburn/Sandy Creek) is tied for 60th averaging 0.50 sacks per game. Chris Covington (Lawrenceville/Brookwood) and Carson Hill (Milledgeville/Baldwin County) share the lead for interceptions in the league and both rank 28th in the nation.

The Bulldogs are led by Duran Lawson, who like Foster was added to the Walter Payton Award Watch List last week. The senior quarterback ranks seventh nationally with 307.7 yards of total offense. Lawson has completed 67.9 percent of his passes and thrown 13 touchdowns.

Senior running back Tory Cooper has 14 touchdowns (13 rushing, 1 receiving) and leads the team averaging 96 yards on the ground. Place kicker senior Mike Adams booted his career-best field goal of 49 yards in the third quarter against Western Carolina last week. He has converted 10-of-16 field goals and 35-of-35 extra points. Senior Andrew Rowell leads the defense with 62 tackles.

Category: Football

Published on Wednesday, 24 October 2007 00:20