The Benko Briefing
9/13/2022 3:30:00 PM | Football, General, Men's Golf, Women's Golf
AD addresses Eagle Nation in letter form
Eagle Nation,
I hope this note finds you and your family well!
What an incredible evening we had in Lincoln this past Saturday! I have taken in some great games in person over the years, but this past Saturday night was the most special I can recall! What an incredible performance by our student-athletes, coaches and staff!
I did a double-take on the post-game box score when I saw that we racked up 642 yards of total offense! Kyle Vantrease finished the evening with 409 passing yards (37-of-56) and a touchdown. His 8-yard touchdown run with 36 seconds culminated an 11-play, 75-yard drive that put the Eagles ahead 45-42 for the win. Khaleb Hood's 27-yard catch on 3rd and 3 at the Nebraska 44-yard-line on the winning drive in the fourth quarter was a thing of beauty! Gerald Green and Jalen White pounded their way to 219 yards on the ground to help pace the Eagles' offense. Defensively, Marques Watson-Trent recorded a team-high 10 tackles, while Justin Ellis had five tackles, including a sack. Running onto the field after the clock hit 0:00 and celebrating with our student-athletes, coaches and staff is something I'll never forget!
Speaking of history, Vantrease tied the Georgia Southern record for most attempts in a game (56). His 37 completions and 409 yards passing are the second most in program history. These efforts earned him the National Offensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation – the first recognition of this kind in the history of Georgia Southern football. He garnered Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week honors as well. Additionally, Derwin Burgess Jr. notched a Georgia Southern single-game record with 12 catches and our team was named one of the Cheez-It National Teams of the Week for the first time in program history.
Saturday's performance did not happen by accident. I want to credit our student-athletes who bought into Coach Clay Helton's vision from day one. Their hard work this off-season propelled us to our program's second Power 5 road win. We have a very special group of young men, particularly this year's senior class. As they go, so does our team! I recall several hot afternoons this summer when I stopped by the Ted Smith Family Football Center and saw our seniors leading workouts and 7-on-7 drills. It is often said that "attitude reflects leadership" – we have several great leaders on this team.
Speaking of great, we have the best football head coach and assistant coaching staff in the country. Their game planning and execution were on full display this past Saturday. Robert Steiner and his team put our guys through the toughest off-season strength and conditioning program in their lives. Our nutrition program, led by Eliza Petersen, fueled our student-athletes' bodies to complement their rigorous off-season workouts. Nick Sparacio and his Sports Medicine staff ensured that our student-athletes received the proper care to compete at an elite level. Ryan Smith oversaw our personnel department to identify and recruit several of our talented student-athletes to Statesboro. Matt Hassan, Adrian Peterson and Andy Harris led their respective areas to further complement our student-athletes' performance on and off the field. Lastly, our Student-Athlete Services staff, particularly Ryan Gilbert, ensured that our student-athletes had the academic support needed to excel in the classroom.
All of this further illustrates an uncanny vertical and horizontal alignment in our football program and athletic department. Outcomes in sports are not always predicated on just operating budgets … last Saturday night was another great example of how teamwork, vision, and execution can come together and create some memorable moments.
Another highlight of last weekend was walking through downtown Lincoln, seeing blue on all the streets, and hearing "Hail Southern!" as we passed one another. I do not take the time and the financial commitment it takes to travel to an away game like Nebraska lightly. Please know that it is appreciated; our fans' enthusiasm this past Saturday night helped propel our team to finish the game strong. One of the highlights of the fourth quarter was our fans cheering "One More Time!" What a beautiful sound to hear!
So, where do we go from here? We obviously have a lot of football left to play, starting with a 3:30 p.m. ET kick-off this weekend against UAB. For those planning to make the trip to Birmingham, THANK YOU! I'm already looking forward to returning to Paulson for our Sept. 24 Homecoming game against Ball State! We're expecting a big crowd so I encourage you to purchase your tickets now at GSEagles.com/tickets.
Speaking of fast starts, how about our 24th-ranked men's golf team winning the Gopher Invitational yesterday at 20-under-par? Wilson Andress finished the tournament 11-under and secured his first collegiate victory. The weekend prior, the Eagles finished runner-up at the Fighting Irish Classic at Notre Dame, posting a 20-under team score, one stroke behind Florida (-21) and finishing ahead of several ranked teams. Our women's golf team also started on a strong note, finishing third at the Yale Invitational. Led by Abby Newton (-2), three Eagles finished in the top 20.
Please continue supporting our student-athletes at home events in the coming weeks. GSEagles.com is a great resource to locate upcoming game days for volleyball and our men's and women's soccer programs.
On Sept. 1, we launched "Soar Above All," an over-arching fundraising campaign highlighting the ways to give to the Eagles. Soar Above all encompasses the Competitive Excellence Fund, Erk Russell Fund ("Soar to Six"), facilities, endowment, sport-specific giving and the APEX program. Your support is crucial to our success as we continue to grow and scale as a department. On the heels of a record-setting spring, our fall sports are off to a great start. WE NEED YOU – now more than ever! Please consider increasing your support of our student-athletes, coaches and staff. Your support is needed now more than ever as we continue to pursue transformational, positive change in all 17 sports. Together, we can accomplish great things!
Our best days are ahead – thank you for your continued support!
Hail Southern! GATA!
Georgia Southern Director of Athletics
I hope this note finds you and your family well!
What an incredible evening we had in Lincoln this past Saturday! I have taken in some great games in person over the years, but this past Saturday night was the most special I can recall! What an incredible performance by our student-athletes, coaches and staff!
I did a double-take on the post-game box score when I saw that we racked up 642 yards of total offense! Kyle Vantrease finished the evening with 409 passing yards (37-of-56) and a touchdown. His 8-yard touchdown run with 36 seconds culminated an 11-play, 75-yard drive that put the Eagles ahead 45-42 for the win. Khaleb Hood's 27-yard catch on 3rd and 3 at the Nebraska 44-yard-line on the winning drive in the fourth quarter was a thing of beauty! Gerald Green and Jalen White pounded their way to 219 yards on the ground to help pace the Eagles' offense. Defensively, Marques Watson-Trent recorded a team-high 10 tackles, while Justin Ellis had five tackles, including a sack. Running onto the field after the clock hit 0:00 and celebrating with our student-athletes, coaches and staff is something I'll never forget!
Speaking of history, Vantrease tied the Georgia Southern record for most attempts in a game (56). His 37 completions and 409 yards passing are the second most in program history. These efforts earned him the National Offensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation – the first recognition of this kind in the history of Georgia Southern football. He garnered Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week honors as well. Additionally, Derwin Burgess Jr. notched a Georgia Southern single-game record with 12 catches and our team was named one of the Cheez-It National Teams of the Week for the first time in program history.
Saturday's performance did not happen by accident. I want to credit our student-athletes who bought into Coach Clay Helton's vision from day one. Their hard work this off-season propelled us to our program's second Power 5 road win. We have a very special group of young men, particularly this year's senior class. As they go, so does our team! I recall several hot afternoons this summer when I stopped by the Ted Smith Family Football Center and saw our seniors leading workouts and 7-on-7 drills. It is often said that "attitude reflects leadership" – we have several great leaders on this team.
Speaking of great, we have the best football head coach and assistant coaching staff in the country. Their game planning and execution were on full display this past Saturday. Robert Steiner and his team put our guys through the toughest off-season strength and conditioning program in their lives. Our nutrition program, led by Eliza Petersen, fueled our student-athletes' bodies to complement their rigorous off-season workouts. Nick Sparacio and his Sports Medicine staff ensured that our student-athletes received the proper care to compete at an elite level. Ryan Smith oversaw our personnel department to identify and recruit several of our talented student-athletes to Statesboro. Matt Hassan, Adrian Peterson and Andy Harris led their respective areas to further complement our student-athletes' performance on and off the field. Lastly, our Student-Athlete Services staff, particularly Ryan Gilbert, ensured that our student-athletes had the academic support needed to excel in the classroom.
All of this further illustrates an uncanny vertical and horizontal alignment in our football program and athletic department. Outcomes in sports are not always predicated on just operating budgets … last Saturday night was another great example of how teamwork, vision, and execution can come together and create some memorable moments.
Another highlight of last weekend was walking through downtown Lincoln, seeing blue on all the streets, and hearing "Hail Southern!" as we passed one another. I do not take the time and the financial commitment it takes to travel to an away game like Nebraska lightly. Please know that it is appreciated; our fans' enthusiasm this past Saturday night helped propel our team to finish the game strong. One of the highlights of the fourth quarter was our fans cheering "One More Time!" What a beautiful sound to hear!
So, where do we go from here? We obviously have a lot of football left to play, starting with a 3:30 p.m. ET kick-off this weekend against UAB. For those planning to make the trip to Birmingham, THANK YOU! I'm already looking forward to returning to Paulson for our Sept. 24 Homecoming game against Ball State! We're expecting a big crowd so I encourage you to purchase your tickets now at GSEagles.com/tickets.
Speaking of fast starts, how about our 24th-ranked men's golf team winning the Gopher Invitational yesterday at 20-under-par? Wilson Andress finished the tournament 11-under and secured his first collegiate victory. The weekend prior, the Eagles finished runner-up at the Fighting Irish Classic at Notre Dame, posting a 20-under team score, one stroke behind Florida (-21) and finishing ahead of several ranked teams. Our women's golf team also started on a strong note, finishing third at the Yale Invitational. Led by Abby Newton (-2), three Eagles finished in the top 20.
Please continue supporting our student-athletes at home events in the coming weeks. GSEagles.com is a great resource to locate upcoming game days for volleyball and our men's and women's soccer programs.
On Sept. 1, we launched "Soar Above All," an over-arching fundraising campaign highlighting the ways to give to the Eagles. Soar Above all encompasses the Competitive Excellence Fund, Erk Russell Fund ("Soar to Six"), facilities, endowment, sport-specific giving and the APEX program. Your support is crucial to our success as we continue to grow and scale as a department. On the heels of a record-setting spring, our fall sports are off to a great start. WE NEED YOU – now more than ever! Please consider increasing your support of our student-athletes, coaches and staff. Your support is needed now more than ever as we continue to pursue transformational, positive change in all 17 sports. Together, we can accomplish great things!
In closing, for Georgia Southern to reach its desired goals, I will continue to strategically highlight three (3) action steps that individuals and companies can take to help us:
- Financially support the Athletic Foundation and the Erk Russell Fund
- Buy season tickets and create a home-field advantage
- Get others to do the same!
Our best days are ahead – thank you for your continued support!
Hail Southern! GATA!
Georgia Southern Director of Athletics
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
WR
/ Football
DE
/ Football
RB
/ Football
SLOT
/ Football
/ Women's Golf
QB
/ Football
ILB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballHeather Macy One-on-One (4/30/26)
Thursday, April 30
Heather Macy Introductory Press Conference (04-28-2026)
Tuesday, April 28
GUSPYs 2026
Monday, April 27
Getting to Know: Delanie Thames (Softball)
Wednesday, April 15
