STATESBORO - The Georgia Southern football team took to the turf of Allen E. Paulson Stadium on Friday for the third of 25 preseason practices. As part of the five-day acclimation period, the team members put on shoulder pads for the first time this camp. The Eagles will go full pads for the first time on Tuesday morning at Beautiful Eagle Creek.

A few observations and notes:

• Freshman defensive end Alijah Lacey had one of the highlights of the day as the Savannah native picked off a pass and returned it for a touchdown. A lot of young players are getting reps early on a several are taking advantage of the opportunities.

• Sam Kenerson continues to progress as he makes his return back from a season-ending knee injury he suffered at Nebraska last year. He continues to run routes with the receivers, but hasn't been put into live action yet. Coaches continue to make sure he is at 100 percent before turning him loose.

• Derwin Burgess Jr.'s jumping catch on a free ball after the defense was offsides would have put him on SportsCenter's Top 10 once again. Freshman DeAndre Buchannon and sophomore OJ Arnold also had nice days with several standout plays.

• The No. 1 offensive line continues to look the same as it did in the spring with (from left to right) Brian Miller, Pichon Wimbley, Chandler Strong, Khalil Crowder and Bryson Broadway getting those snaps. Miller is in his seventh year and has played in 49 games, starting 43. Crowder, who allowed no sacks and just 12 quarterback pressures on 1,016 snaps played in 2022. The sixth-year players has played in 41 games with 35 starts. Between Miller (2,759) and Crowder (2,391), the duo have seen action in 5,150 combined offensive snaps at Georgia Southern. On the flip side of things, with Miller missing the 2022 opener with an injury, Wimbley got the start at left guard for the Eagles. That made him the first true freshman since Kelly in 2017 to start on the offensive line and the first true freshman to start on the line in the season opener since Dorian Byrd in 2010. He started all 13 games last year, playing 798 offensive snaps. Last season, the offensive line allowed just seven sacks in 13 games on 612 passing attempts. Only nationally-ranked Oregon allowed fewer sacks, giving up just five in 13 games on 432 attempts, 180 fewer attempts than the Eagles. Washington allowed seven sacks in 373 attempts (239 fewer than GS), tying the Eagles for the second-lowest total allowed in 2022. The 10 players who have seen collegiate experience enter the season with 225 games played and 115 starts.

Below is the practice schedule for the remained of preseason for fans who wish to attend. Times and location can change based on weather.

Georgia Southern Preseason Football Schedule
Date (Time, Location)

Sat., Aug. 5: 10 AM (Paulson)

Sun., Aug. 6: OFF
Mon., Aug. 7: 10 AM (Paulson)
Tues., Aug. 8: 10 AM (Eagle Creek; full pads)
Wed., Aug. 9: 10 AM (Paulson)
Thurs., Aug. 10: 10 AM (Paulson)
Fri., Aug. 11: OFF
Sat., Aug. 12: 5:30 PM (Scrimmage #1; Paulson)

Sun., Aug. 13: OFF
Mon., Aug. 14: OFF (First day of classes)
Tues., Aug. 15: 9:50 AM (Paulson)
Wed., Aug. 16: 4:20 PM (Eagle Creek)
Thurs., Aug. 17: 9:50 AM (Paulson)
Fri., Aug. 18: 4:20 PM (Paulson)
Sat., Aug. 19: 10 AM (Scrimmage #2; Paulson) ... Time could change

The Fan Fest and Lil' Eagles Clinic will take place on Aug. 12 around the first scrimmage. The Women's Clinic will take place on Aug. 13.

While practices are open to the public and media, we ask you help us keep a competitive advantage by not posting videos and detailed information (including injuries) from practice on social media.