Georgia Southern played its first Sun Belt Conference home game, defeating arch-rival Appalachian State 34-14 in a game televised nationally on ESPNU Thursday night. The overcast night did not dampen the enthusiasm of Eagle fans as the crowd of 24,535 was the largest in history to witness a regular-season game.

Blood is Thicker Than…
Gene and Sherri Lovett of Cordele, Ga., did not attend Georgia Southern and did not follow the Eagles until their son, Flynt, decided to spurn his parents' alma maters for Georgia Southern.

Gene graduated from Florida State, and Sherri graduated from Georgia, but Flynt, who is a member of the Southern Pride Marching Band, fell in love with Georgia Southern, and his parents are 100 percent behind him.

"We're Eagle Nation now," said Sherri who was attending her first game at Paulson Stadium. "We went to the game at Georgia Tech, and that was so disappointing."

The Lovetts were tailgating on the fields at the RAC, and said they had arrived in Statesboro at 1 p.m. And, they had a special person with them in Gene's mother, Beverly, who is no stranger to Georgia Southern.

"She's the Super Grandma," Sherri said. "She's had four grandsons attend Georgia Southern, and all were in the band."

Speaking Of The Band
Being a member of Southern Pride and playing a football game on a Thursday night means a long day, said band members Meaghan Thomson, a senior from Duluth, and Chris Dukes, a freshman from Dublin.

"Playing on a Thursday is a little different," said Thomson who plays the clarinet. "We have rehearsals and then the game. But, it's worth it and it's exciting. We're playing a big rival and we're on national television.

"I'm glad we moved up to FBS," Thomson continued. "I voted for it, and I think it's great. This is a big game, and a big day. The atmosphere on campus is intense.

"Coach (Willie) Fritz emailed our band director after the Georgia Tech game and said the band was great, that we made it like a home game. That was great of him to do that. That makes it all worthwhile."

Dukes plays the trumpet, and while this is his first year at Georgia Southern he followed the Eagles while at West Laurens High School. And, he's happy about the move to FBS.

"The move to Division I is great," Dukes said. "The comeback at Georgia Tech was incredible. We lost, but I think we showed everyone what we're about. I like that we're passing the ball more. The option is good, but we have a good mix on offense now."

Eagle In The Making
Ben Brooks, 9, is a fourth-grader from Savannah, and a member of the Junior Eagle Club. He enjoys the Junior Eagle Fun Zone, but he also knows why he comes to Paulson Stadium.

"I've been coming to games for two years," said Brooks while playing catch with some other youngsters on the tailgate lot an hour or so before kickoff. "Coming to games at Georgia Southern is fun. It's all about football and fun.

"I come to the games with my family. The next time I come I may bring my dogs, too. I know they'd love it, too. I might come to school here. I like it."

Eagles Over Family
Chris Lamb lives in St. Marys, Ga., and is a cousin of Mercer coach Bobby Lamb, the father of Appalachian State starting quarterback Taylor Lamb. Bobby Lamb played and coached at Furman and is well known to Eagle fans.

However, Chris was in the Eagles' corner. He lived in Statesboro as a youth before moving to Commerce where he played football for Hal Lamb, the father of Bobby and Taylor's grandson. Chris attended Georgia Southern.

"I'm a Georgia Southern guy all the way," Chris said. "Always have been, and always will be. This is an exciting night for all of us…playing App, on national TV, and the move up to FBS is great."

Great Night For Georgia Southern
Bill Olliff of Statesboro described himself as a third generation Eagle.

"I'm actually the second generation," Olliff said, "but my son graduated from Georgia Southern so three generations of us have gone to school here."
Olliff is the son of Foy Olliff who played baseball for the Eagles and all of the Olliffs are on board with the move to FBS and the Sun Belt.

"My dad is 86 and he was hesitant at first," Bill explained, "but we're all excited about this. It was long overdue. It's good for the university, and the community.

"And, it's got people talking about us," Olliff said. "We could easily be 4-0, but even though we lost those games they were close, and the television people were talking about it. In FCS there's only a couple of schools that matter now."