Football Notes - Week Two
8/16/2007 4:29:00 AM | Football
STATESBORO, Ga. ? Two Georgia Southern University football players were named Preseason All-America by The Sporting News. Junior Brandon Jackson (Ft. Lauderdale, FL/Plantation) was named First Team while senior Jayson Foster (Canton/Cherokee County) landed Third Team honors.
According to The Sports Network preseason ?Top 25' poll, the Eagles received 59 votes which would rank 33rd nationally. Five of Georgia Southern's 2007 opponents were ranked: Appalachian State (1st), Furman (11th), Wofford (14th), South Dakota State (20th) and Coastal Carolina (23rd), while another Southern Conference foe The Citadel received 15 votes.
Jackson was a Second Team All-Southern Conference selection last year. He led the SoCon and finished in a tie for 10th nationally with five interceptions. He also broke up four passes while recording 35 tackles. Jackson started in all 11 games during his first year as an Eagle.
The multi-threat Foster earned his Preseason All-America status as a return specialist. A First Team All-SoCon pick last year at wide receiver (Coaches) and return specialist (Sports Media Association), Foster already shares the Georgia Southern season records for punt returns and kickoff returns for a touchdown, and career record for punt returns. He is the only Eagle ever to record at least 80 yards on a punt return, kickoff return, rush and pass reception.
Foster totaled a team-leading 1,287 all-purpose yards last season and led the SoCon averaging 27 yards per kickoff return. The senior also averaged 10.4 yards on 24 punt returns.
FORMER GSU ALL-AMERICAN TO SPEAK IN SAVANNAH: Former Georgia Southern Football All-American Fred Stokes will be the keynote speaker at the Third Annual YMCA of Coastal Georgia's Teen Achievers Gala. The event will take place Saturday, August 18th at the Hyatt in Savannah, Georgia.
Stokes, a 1986 First Team All-American, was a member of the Eagles' 1985 and 1986 National Championship teams. He played 10 seasons in the National Football League from 1987-1996 including stints with the Los Angeles Rams, Washington Redskins, Saint Louis Rams and New Orleans Saints. Stokes led the Redskins to a Super Bowl XXVI Championship in 1991.
The Teen Achievers program is a mentoring and training program for teens throughout the Coastal Empire. Teens participate in educational clusters, college tours, and cultural events, which motivate them to achieve and become productive citizens. Stokes will share his motivational secrets of success.
For more information related to this event contact:
Diane Parker, Director of Marketing, Communications and Development
YMCA of Coastal Georgia
DianeP@ymcaofcoastalga.org
(Office) 912-354-5480
HATCHER PLEASED WITH THURSDAY'S EFFORT: Head coach Chris Hatcher saw an improved effort from his squad following Thursday's practice. The Eagles practiced for just over two hours in helmets and shoulder pads. The team broke early to attend a student-athlete convocation held later Thursday evening. Speakers included University President Dr. Bruce Grube and Director of Athletics Sam Baker.
Hatcher, who said following Wednesday's practice it was the least intense since fall camp started, was pleased with the improved effort Thursday.
“I thought we had a good practice today. We got a little bit better, our intensity was better than it was yesterday. We cut back a little bit today to give the guys time to get their legs back under them,” stated Hatcher. “We'll have the same type of practice tomorrow and give us a long weekend to rest up so we can come back and have one really good last week of practice before going to our scrimmage.”
The coaching staff gave the team Monday off being the first day of classes. Student-athletes have started adjusting to a schedule of classes and practice. The team will practice on Friday afternoon. The Little Eagles camp and Meet the Eagles event is scheduled for Saturday morning at Paulson Stadium and the squad will take Sunday off.
“It was kind of slow this week because of that. You have to be a good student, have some bit of a social life and be a good football player... it takes all three to have a championship team. It's better to go through these pains now rather than the week of a game,” said Hatcher.
Georgia Southern opens the 2007 season on Saturday, September 8th, against West Georgia with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. For ticket information call the Georgia Southern ticket office at (912) 681-0123 or 800-GSU-WINS.
