Eagles' SoCon Opener Set for Saturday at The Citadel
9/4/2012 5:58:00 PM | Football
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STATESBORO, Ga. - After opening the 2012 season with their 11-straight home victory, the third-ranked Georgia Southern Eagles begin Southern Conference play on the road at The Citadel Saturday. Kickoff from Johnson Hagood Stadium is set for 6 p.m. with pregame coverage on the Georgia Southern Radio Network and in-stadium on 97.5 FM set for 4 p.m. Fans traveling to the game can join the Georgia Southern Alumni Association for a pregame barbecue at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park for just $15.
Georgia Southern (1-0) got off to a fast start with a 58-0 win over Jacksonville in the season opener. The running game was in mid-season form after posting 557 rushing yards, the most in school history for a season opener, and seven touchdowns. Ezayi Youyoute carried the ball 11 times for 164 yards, including his second-longest run of 79 yards, and three touchdowns. Dominique Swope countered with 104 rushing yards and three touchdowns of his own, marking the first time since the 2005 season that two Eagles scored three rushing touchdowns each in a game.
Another Eagle running back, Robert Brown, reached a milestone in the season opener, crossing the 2,000 rushing yard threshold in his career. Brown's three carries for 63 yards against the Dolphins put him at 2,004 career rushing yards. That number ranks the junior A-Back 12th all-time in Eagle history ahead of J.R. Revere (1998-2001) and behind Ricky Harris (1983-1986).
Georgia Southern will look to keep the offense rolling along in their first conference game against The Citadel (1-0). A year ago the Bulldogs held the Eagles to 191 rushing yards and 320 yards of total offense, but GSU still came out on top 14-12 after blocking a pair of extra points and watching a Ryan Sellers field goal sail wide right in the final seconds of the game.
The Citadel opened their season at home Saturday with a 49-14 win over Charleston Southern. The Bulldogs exploded for a 28-point third quarter but had to overcome six fumbles. Leading 7-0 after the first quarter, The Citadel had back-to-back drives come to an end after losing two second quarter fumbles but went on to score a touchdown on their next six drives before punting early in the fourth quarter.
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