Football News and Notes
10/27/2009 1:42:00 PM | Football
STATESBORO, Ga. - News and notes from the Georgia Southern Football program for the current bye week...
HATCH ATTACK BOOK RELEASED: A book written about head coach Chris Hatcher has hit the shelves. Macon Telegraph sports editor Daniel Shirley wrote the biography about the former Mount de Sales and Valdosta State star and current Eagles' head coach.
The book, which talks about the playing and coaching career of Hatcher, sells for $22.95. To order a copy, call (478) 477-0172, e-mail hatch.attack.book@gmail.com or visit www.indigopublishing.com.
PRESUME IMPROVES: Sophomore defensive back Hudson Presume continues to improve after suffering an injury during last Saturday's game at Appalachian State. Presume, who was carted off the field, was taken to the local hospital and after tests came back negative was released. He rode back with his teammates on the bus.
Presume, diagnosed with a concussion, saw the team physician on Monday morning.
DEFENSE IMPROVED IN NATIONAL RANKINGS: Georgia Southern's defense surpassed last year's numbers in takeaways (17) and fumble recoveries (11)... The Eagles are tied for 19th nationally in takeaways and tied for sixth in fumbles... Senior Markeith Wylie recovered his third fumble of the year. He moves into a tie for fourth place among the Georgia Southern season 'Top 10' leaders.
EDWARDS MOVES UP THE RANKING: Sophomore punter Charlie Edwards jumped up to 20th nationally in punt average. He moved up to second in the SoCon averaging 40.4 yards per punt, including 13 that landed inside the 20-yard line. Eight of his kicks have gone for 50-plus yards, including six inside the 10-yard line and three that have landed on the one.
TOUGH SCHEDULE: Georgia Southern remained 10th in country for toughest schedule among all FCS programs. The Eagles were 10th last week after jumping up nine spots the previous week. Georgia Southern's past opposition has a .604 winning percentage, and the overall opposition record is at .559. The next closest Southern Conference program is Wofford at 24th.
FOSTER NOW 3-0 WITH FLORIDA: Former All-America quarterback Jayson Foster and his Florida Tuskers teammates improved to 3-0 in the new United Football League. Foster is tied for third on the team with eight receptions totaling 89 yards with a touchdown. He also has a 12-yard rush and returned five punts for 21 yards - including a long of 12 yards... Former All-Southern Conference defensive lineman Damon Suggs was on the roster for the California team but was released on September 28... More information on Foster and the Tuskers can be found at www.ufl-football.com.
NFL UPDATES: Chicago Bears running back Adrian Peterson has played in four games. He rushed the ball five times for 28 yards and caught two passes for 11 yards. Peterson also made four tackles on special teams... Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas has converted 7-of-9 field goals, including a season-long 49-yarder in the loss against Indianapolis in week five. Bironas also made all seven extra point attempts, including a 4-of-4 effort against Houston.
