Effort Needs to Improve as Eagles Prepare for Saturday’s Spring Game
4/6/2013 8:43:00 PM | Football
STATESBORO, Ga. -- Getting the all right people in all right places and all doing the right things sounds easier than it is. Such was the case when Georgia Southern Football scrimmaged at Paulson Stadium Saturday morning. The Eagles ran about 70 plays in their second scrimmage of the spring, which included special teams plays this week. It will take more than just going through the motions to get this team ready.
"I didn't feel like the effort was very good today and I wouldn't say that was the case for yesterday when we practiced yesterday afternoon, I thought it was pretty good," said Georgia Southern Head Coach Jeff Monken. "Today, wasn't quite there. That's got to improve. We have to improve as tacklers and be more effective blocking. We missed a lot of assignments and had some foolish penalties. There is a lot we need to correct. We just didn't look like a very good team today."
Even as Monken and his coaching staff are watching and teaching on the field, every snap is also recorded. Coaches and players will review the video cut-ups and see areas where improvement – and better effort -- is needed.
"The guys can improve by looking at the film and we encourage them to do so (come in and watch)," Monken said. "Some of our guys who are anxious to watch it, they'll be over there today and others will get in Monday in between classes and get a chance to look at it. We'll have notes for them so they can compare what happened to what the play was and what the defensive call was, and they will know where there are issues. Then, the next time we get together and meet, we talk with them, and that's an important teachable moment."
A few three-and-out series and false starts kept the offense from getting in a groove, but some big plays by defenders could also take some of the credit. Rising senior linebacker Kyle Oehlbeck had a big hit on the first series, then stopped Ellison later in the scrimmage. He also had a tackle for loss to force a first-team punt. Antwione Williams recorded a sack and Blake Rouse a tackle for loss while Edwin Jackson and Carlos Cave each had key stops.
Defensive tackle and rising senior Blake Riley got through the line to the quarterback on one series and defensive back Deshawntee Gallon stopped a second-team drive late in the scrimmage. Corner Valdon Cooper's coverage created difficulties for the first unit, opting in one series to go to the ground to pick up a first down.
Highlights weren't limited to the defense. Both quarterbacks Kevin Ellison and Vegas Harley worked with the first and second units this week with Ellison throwing to Kentrellis Showers for a 35-yard touchdown today. Harley connected with Montay Crockett for 51 yards on four receptions and guided the final scoring series. Running back Brandan Thomas picked up extra yards with some elusive moves for 52 yards on the day, including his one-yard TD run. He also had a 15-yard punt return.
Georgia Southern will hold two practices this upcoming week, Tuesday and Thursday, before the Blue-White Spring Game on Saturday, April 13th at Paulson Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and the format for this year's game will feature the Eagle Offense versus the Eagle Defense.
McKINNON, RUSSELL RECOGNIZED AS STRENGTH & CONDITIONING ALL-AMERICANS
The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) recently recognized Jerick McKinnon and Brent Russell as All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year for their dedication in the weight room. Both were nominated by Tom Melton, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach.
The NSCA All-American Athlete of the Year Award program is in its 34th year. Previous winners who played football at Georgia Southern include Charrod Taylor and Larry Beard.
RECORD ATTENDANCE IN 2012
For the third consecutive year, Georgia Southern Football broke its regular-season attendance record, averaging more than 20,000 fans per game at Allen E. Paulson Stadium in 2012. The per-game average attendance for six games last season was 20,087, an increase of more than 800 fans per game from the 2011 average and previous record of 19,248. Three games during the 2012 season ranked on Georgia Southern's all-time top-15 list for single-game attendance totals.
"The Eagle Nation supports our team and our program, and without a doubt, our fans are the driving force behind the success of Georgia Southern Football," said Coach Jeff Monken. "Our fans create a tremendous home field advantage for us at Paulson Stadium and our players love playing at home because the atmosphere is second to none."
The Eagles were 6-1 at Paulson Stadium in 2012 and held the nation's longest active home winning streak with 14 straight victories dating back to the 2010 season. With all seven home football games last season, Georgia Southern's average attendance ranked seventh nationally.
More than three million fans have attended games Paulson Stadium since Georgia Southern played its first game there in 1984. The upcoming expansion will increase the size of the north stands with a mid-level deck and addition of more than 6,000 seats.
EFAA AUCTION & REVERSE RAFFLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW
This is the last week to purchase tickets for the sixth-annual Eagle Football Alumni Association (EFAA) Reverse Raffle and Auction to be held the night of the Blue-White Spring Game, April 13th, at the Gene Bishop Field House. Tickets must be presented at the door between 6-7 p.m. to be eligible for the $10,000 reverse raffle and each ticket admits two people for the evening's hors d' oeuvres buffet and beverages.
A silent auction with one-of-kind Georgia Southern and other football items precedes a live auction featuring exclusive experiences and memorabilia. Tickets may be purchased at the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation located in the Cowart Building Monday-Friday, or by phone at 912-478-5520 during regular 8 a.m.-5 p.m. business hours.
FOLLOW THE EAGLES ONLINE, THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA & "EAGLES GATA" MOBILE APP
Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics and twitter.com/GSAthletics, and its "Eagles GATA" mobile app for Android and iOS.
