Georgia Southern

[JimmyJack]

Re: Georgia Southern

Consistancy is our downfall. It's hard not the look the way of the coaches.

It's fair to mention that our coaches have put together a very competitive team with one hand tied behind their backs. We're short on coaches (how many top teams in FCS have a Head Coach who is also a position coach by necessity and not by choice?) Our facilities aren't there yet (the north end zone building will make a huge difference... but it's not built yet.) This is our first year with 63 scholarships, meaning we're still undermanned... (as Stig has said, it takes a few years at the max to really create the depth you need.)

What I see is a program that reflects the good character of its coaches, but is still just a few plays or players short of being a nationally competitive team. Look at the trends, and they're all going in the right direction. Put the right pieces in place, and we'll be a top-25 program every year.

[Killem]

Re: Georgia Southern

Very true, Opie. SDSU just showed our remaining opponents how to shut down the Hatch Attack (this incarnation ). SDSU hurt themselves with penalties and turnovers but defended well. Remember, the defense scored 14 points for us. I saw some improvement but we need to kick it up a notch. This is one of the few times our offensive line got absolutely blown up. The SDSU defensive line dominated .

[GSUisYourDad]

Re: Georgia Southern

In all seriousness, it was indeed a great game that could've gone either way. But in truth, we (GSU) are not that good of a team. We aren't going anywhere this year.
We'll lose another 3 games at least. We still have Citadel, app state, wofford, furman, and I-A Colorado State to play. And quite frankly our defense, while they continue to incrementaly improve, they remain one of the worst GSU defenses that I've ever seen at Georgia Southern. (My connection to Georgia Southern dates back to 1992.)
I had predicted 6-5 for this team, but now I think 7-4. I think Superman, with the #4 on his chest, has 7 wins in his legs. (I think we'll get beat by Citadel, App,and Colo St.)
Having said that, I am optimistic. I am stoked at the development of the Hatch Attack thus far. Anyone who would be pissed at 7-4 this year is clueless. GSU will need some help, and some personal luck to make the field of 16 this year.
Props to SDSU.......opie, out.

www.opiegsu.blogspot.com

[State_fan]

Re: Georgia Southern

Thought I'd throw in my two cents worth. We need to figure out a way to come out firing on all cylinders to start a game. You just can't spot an opposing team as good as Georgia Southern (or Youngstown, same scenario) bigtime points off of stupid plays at the beginning of games! When you have three fumbles and an INT in a game, you aren't going to win many ball games, especially when going against top opponents (and there you have it, my first definite captain obvious statement of the day).

I feel for the defense. They played like fricken studs today, and if given a better chance to win by not having to make up for critical turnovers on offense, we win that game. The offense did very good too, when they weren't giving up turnovers. We have to get that fixed. It needs to become a top priority for this coaching staff to get that through these guys heads. Don't ask me how to get it fixed, but it needs to be taken care of.

Looking at how this game went down, our guys need to take a good strong look at how stupid plays lose you the game, learn from this experience, and not let this hurt the cohesiveness of the team. This one is definitely a tough pill to swallow for them and hopefully we can move forward and focus on Cal Poly. Having next week off should do the guys some good, hopefully allowing them to get they're heads in the right spot and ready to go for upcoming conference play. I am still convinced that we are a strong contender for the conference title and could run the table to get us a chance to play NDSU for it come Nov 17. But only if we learn from this loss.

[Jack4Life]

Re: Georgia Southern

We have to start coming into these games and taking control and not playing catch-up all the time. Although some of these games end up being exciting, you cannot bank on winning many of them. You cannot spot good teams a couple touchdowns and try and come back week after week. We also have to get over penalties, they are just killing us, especially on 3rd downs. Is it coaching? Who knows. Stig is a great guy and if I had a kid playing ball, there is no other coach I would like him to be with for 5 years than Stig. But, we need to show that we belong in the upper level of this division. This loss today really hurts. I thank all the players for giving it their all the second half.

[JackFan96]

Re: Georgia Southern

If we were ever prepared to play a tough team like Georgia Southern, we wouldn't have to try and come storming back like we have so often the past two seasons. Unfortunately, we rarely are. Consistancy is our downfall. It's hard not the look the way of the coaches. Beyond that, team speed is a place where we're always suspect. Always. In the Stig Era, stupid, stupid penalities have been another problem ... you saw that today. Y'all are simply a more complete team. Top-tier D-IAA team are. Which is why we're not one of them.

This is not the requisite, "your team is tough" line. I was extremely impressed with y'all. Lots of teams would have quit but your coaches made adjustments and the team responded. Yours might have been one of the best tackling teams I have ever seen. Nobody brings Foster down by himself and your defense shut him down. They also did a good job of forcing the run wide and the pursuit did an excellent job of catching up. Actually, we are not an option team anymore. Coach Hatcher's offense is a lot like Texas Tech's. He has enough sense to tailor his offense to his talent, unlike the idiot who coached, and almost wrecked the program last year.
Both teams made lots of mistakes and both capitalized on the other's. Your QB was more than just solid, he was really good. The receivers did drop some passes but also made circus catches. This is just Georgia Southern of old, score lots of points, give up lots of points but the defense makes a big play to put us in position to win.

Best wishes to you the rest of the season.

[rabidrabbit]

Re: Georgia Southern

STATESBORO, Ga. – Jesse Hartley’s 54-yard field goal as time expired capped Georgia Southern’s thrilling 41-38 win over South Dakota State, Saturday afternoon (Oct. 6) at Paulson Stadium. Hartley set a record in the process.

Hartley’s kick was the longest ever by an Eagle to win a game on the final play. It marked the first time since Jonathan Dudley’s 24-yard FG that the Eagles (4-1 overall) won a game on the final play (overtime at Northeastern in 2005 season-opener). Hartley’s career-best 54-yarder was the longest since Chris Chambers nailed a 57-yard attempt at the end of the first half at Oregon State on September 18, 1999.

www.georgiasoutherneagles.com

Georgia Southern write up of game.

[GSUisYourDad]

Re: Georgia Southern

Is there a link to your coach's post-game press conference?

[Jacks99]

Re: Georgia Southern

I hate the Jacks being the little brother that everyone rubs their head and says "wow, you were tough today" but I'm going to try to put a positive spin on this (because that's just what I do).

Truthfully, this team is miles ahead of where they were 3 years ago when we went down to GSU and got spanked hard.
1.) There is depth at many positions where I would say our second and third teamers are as good as our starters three years ago.
2.) This senior class is the last one recruited before the announcement to go D-I was made(exc Gentile & Pontrelli), many freshman and sophmores are seeing significant playing time.
3.)This redshirting class was the first one coming in where we were up to 60 scholarships.
4.) When construction starts in the north end zone that will help get the Jacks on a level playing field recruiting wise. Considering the athletes we have gotten without that imagine what can happen.

Are there coaching errors, sure - but break down any game from any team and you find coaching errors.

Fact of the matter is, right now we are lining up against anyone anywhere and are willing to stand there and smack them in the mouth. These players have become fixtures in elementary schools and hospitals in the area and are doing well in the classroom. They are representing us well.

This year has been tough so far, but I think the future is bright if we look at the big picture. Changes may be necessary someday, but I think we are three years away from worrying about that, as long as the team stays on the path that they are.

Ok, off my soapbox. Now time to go hit the bottle of Bacardi.

Have a good week everyone.

Nice post.

Tough loss, but man I can't believe where this program is at this fast. SDSU is arguably a top 30 team the last 3 years and should only get better given the situation. To expect much more is a bit much. A few ball bounces the other way and SDSU is 5-1 and ranked #15.

There are those that want more than "moral victories" I guess they haven't been at CAS the last two weeks and seen the blowouts they have been calling for against solid programs.

I'll equate it to the "real world" of business. Yes it's all about $$ (wins). But it's about how you do it that counts. They are showing that if you do it right it will happen and it is, it just takes time.

Do all coaches go out of their way to talk up the coaches and teams they play against like I hear every single week on their WNAX interview or should we all pay attention and realize what we have?

[Killem]

Re: Georgia Southern

This is not the requisite, "your team is tough" line. I was extremely impressed with y'all. Lots of teams would have quit but your coaches made adjustments and the team responded. Yours might have been one of the best tackling teams I have ever seen. Nobody brings Foster down by himself and your defense shut him down. They also did a good job of forcing the run wide and the pursuit did an excellent job of catching up. Actually, we are not an option team anymore. Coach Hatcher's offense is a lot like Texas Tech's. He has enough sense to tailor his offense to his talent, unlike the idiot who coached, and almost wrecked the program last year.
Both teams made lots of mistakes and both capitalized on the other's. Your QB was more than just solid, he was really good. The receivers did drop some passes but also made circus catches. This is just Georgia Southern of old, score lots of points, give up lots of points but the defense makes a big play to put us in position to win.

Best wishes to you the rest of the season.

[GSUisYourDad]

Re: Georgia Southern

"Put an Eagle 6 on it", is awesome.

For some reason, the network has been cutting the internet radio feed right after hatcher's post-game interview. I haven't heard a post-game show this whole season.
Today, they cut the video feed almost immediately after the clock expired, and I had to re-log in on the audio.......which proceeded to cut off 30 seconds later.
I agree that it is stupid.
But I have to say that Eagle Vision is exactly what I've been looking for since I graduated in 1996. After 11 years of buffering, poor connections, no connections, etc.,.........Eagle Vision is just a giant leap forward for the out-of-state Georgia Southern alumnus. My Marylander ass loves it.

www.opiegsu.blogspot.com
(post-game comments)

[Killem]

Re: Georgia Southern

Why in hell has the GSU radio feed been running nothing but news and ads for the last fifteen minutes. Guess they pulled the plug. That's idiotic.

It might have been an issue with the network. The radio affiliate in Savannah went to Fox news.

[Killem]

Re: Georgia Southern

"Put an Eagle 6 on it" could be the most annoying thing I've heard since "Everyone up for another Thundering Herd kickoff" (or whatever the hell they say up at NDSU).

It was annoying last year, but that was the first year with this new radio crew. It's growing on me. I like it better now that 1) we're scoring more and 2) he is following the call up with "Touchdown, Georgia Southern!

[GSUisYourDad]

Re: Georgia Southern

Erk founded the program. Quick history lesson, the program started in '82 as a club team. We started NCAA play in '84, won the I-AA title in '85 & '86, made it to the semi-Finals in '87 with a true-freshman QB. We lost to Furman in '88 in the Finals and in '89 became the first college team to go 15-0.

A bronze bust of Erk Russell was recently unveiled at paulson. The team has started a new tradition of rubbing or head butting the facsimile of Erk's bald head as they run out on the field. We Georgia Southern alumni hold Erk's legacy near and dear. He, more than any other individual, has made this University the juggernaut that it is today; both in terms of football, and the greater impact on the southeast GA region.
Many of us alumni believe that the current administration runs away from Erk's legacy, and alientes some of the other founders.
Many of our traditions and rituals were Erk inspired or Erk-invented.
1. Th edrainage ditch known as beautiful Eagle Creek
2. GATA
3. "Just One More Time"
4. "The prettiest little stadium in America"
5. "At Georgia Southern, we don't cheat. Cheating takes money, and we don't have any."

....that's just a few.
Erk was truly had a "presence" about him. When he was around, it was just electric. He was our Bear Bryant, our General Patton, our founding father. May he rest in peace. I know he is happy tonight, and sparking a stogie, wherever he is.

[Killem]

Re: Georgia Southern

they're from the south. Give them a break

Hey now, I resemble that.