Eagles Welcome The Citadel for Homecoming Saturday
11/3/2011 10:30:00 PM | Football
STATESBORO, Ga. - Two of the Southern Conference's top three rushing offenses will collide in Georgia Southern's (7-1, 5-1) final home game of the regular season at Paulson Stadium. The Eagles welcome in The Citadel (4-4, 2-4) for homecoming and senior day, kickoff Saturday is set for 2 p.m.
Georgia Southern leads the conference in scoring offense and is second behind Wofford in rushing offense. The Bulldogs are third in the league in rushing offense with just over 300 yards a game. Both teams excel at stopping the run as well. The Eagles rank first in the SoCon with just over 100 yards per game allowed while The Citadel checks in at fourth with 160.9 rushing yards per game allowed.
GSU's unbeaten streak came to an end in Boone, N.C., on Saturday, but the Eagles are still in the hunt for a share of the Southern Conference Title and a playoff bid. Georgia Southern fought back after trailing 17-3 at halftime to Appalachian State and tied the game at 17-17 with a fourth quarter punt return touchdown by Darreion Robinson (Bishop, Ga.). The Mountaineers responded with the game-winning 15 yard touchdown pass from Jamal Jackson to Brian Quick to win, 24-17.
"I am disappointed that we lost the game but we are fortunate that it was not the last game of the year. We are going to try to make the most of the opportunities that we have starting with The Citadel this weekend," said Head Coach Jeff Monken. "We got a real challenge on our hands, coming off a loss the challenge is to refocus and regroup and get ready for The Citadel."
The Citadel has excelled at the second-half comeback this season beating Chattanooga, 28-27, and erasing a massive deficit in a 49-42 loss to Appalachian State. Aaron Miller and Ben Dupree have shared time under center this season, and both rank in the top-five of the team's rushing leaders.
Since the comeback in Chattanooga the Bulldogs have won three of their last five contests, including their latest, a 41-14 win over VMI in the Military Classic of the South. The Citadel has improved to 4-4 for the first time since 2009 with two-straight wins.
Darien Robinson leads the ground game with 74.8 yards per contest and seven touchdowns. Rod Harland leads a stingy defense that ranks third in total defense in the league. Harland ranks fourth in the SoCon with 9.7 tackles per game. Their defense has also been a part of an FCS-leading eight punt blocks.
"They have an outstanding football team. Coach Higgins has done a marvelous job. The kids play with effort and emotion," said Monken. "They have got some players and are a very talented team."
Georgia Southern won last season's meeting 20-0 with zero passing yards and Jerick McKinnon (Marietta, Ga.) filling in at quarterback for a banged-up Jaybo Shaw (Flowery Branch, Ga.). The Eagles ran for 286 yards and two touchdowns while Adrian Mora (Dalton, Ga.) tacked on two field goals in the Eagles' fourth win of the year.
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