Georgia Southern University Football: A Storied History

The Georgia Southern Eagles college football team represents Georgia Southern University, competing in the NCAA Division I FBS as part of the Sun Belt Conference. From humble beginnings to national prominence, the Eagles boast a rich history marked by championships, traditions, and a passionate fanbase.

Early Years and the Hiatus

The Georgia Southern football program began in 1924 when the institution was known as Georgia Normal School (later South Georgia Teachers College and Georgia Teachers College). However, this initial run was cut short in 1942 due to the onset of World War II. The program remained dormant for nearly four decades.

The Modern Era Begins (1981)

In 1978, President Dale Lick spearheaded the revival of football at Georgia Southern College. Despite initial faculty opposition, Lick garnered support, culminating in the hiring of Erk Russell in 1982. Russell, the charismatic defensive coordinator from the University of Georgia, ignited the program. Humorist Lewis Grizzard famously quipped, "When they landed Erk Russell, they got themselves a franchise."

The Eagles fielded a club team in 1982 and 1983 before officially joining NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) competition in 1984.

Dominance in Division I-AA (FCS)

The Georgia Southern Eagles quickly established themselves as a force in I-AA football.

National Championships

Under Erk Russell's leadership, the Eagles captured their first Division I-AA national championship in 1985, defeating Furman in Tacoma, Washington. The following year, they returned to Tacoma and triumphed over Arkansas State.

In 1989, Georgia Southern achieved a historic feat, becoming the first college team in the 20th century to finish with a perfect 15-0 record. They secured the national championship on their home field, defeating Stephen F. Austin.

Coaching Transitions and Continued Success

Following Russell's retirement after the undefeated 1989 season, Tim Stowers, the offensive coordinator, took the helm. Stowers continued the winning tradition, leading the Eagles to their fourth I-AA championship in 1990 against Nevada. He also secured Georgia Southern's first Southern Conference title in 1993, earning him Southern Conference Coach of the Year honors.

After an interim year with Frank Ellwood, Paul Johnson, a former offensive coordinator under Erk Russell, was appointed head coach. Johnson maintained the program's success, guiding the Eagles to the playoffs in his first season. In 1998, with Adrian N. Peterson, the Eagles reached the national championship game but lost to UMass.

Johnson led the Eagles to back-to-back national championships in 1999 and 2000, defeating Youngstown State and Montana, respectively, both won in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Read also: The Dynasty of Excellence

Later FCS Years

After Johnson's departure, Mike Sewak and Brian VanGorder took over as head coach, but their tenure marked a period of change and controversy. VanGorder's decision to abandon the triple-option offense and alter team traditions proved unpopular.

Chris Hatcher, previously head coach at Valdosta State, was hired in 2007 and restored the program to a winning record.

In 2009, Jeff Monken, a long-time assistant under Paul Johnson, was named head coach, signaling the return of the triple-option offense. In 2011, Georgia Southern was ranked No. 1 in the FCS for the first time since 2001 and clinched the Southern Conference Football Championship. The Eagles finished the 2011 regular season with a 9-2 record but were defeated in the semifinals by North Dakota State.

In 2012, the Eagles again shared the Southern Conference Championship but lost in the FCS semifinals to North Dakota State.

In their final FCS season in 2013, the Eagles went 7-4, highlighted by an upset victory over Florida, their first win over a Power Five FBS team.

Read also: Choosing Your UGA Major

Transition to FBS and the Sun Belt Conference

In April 2012, Georgia Southern announced its intention to transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level. The university planned to raise $36.6 million over eight years to accommodate the move, including expanding Paulson Stadium.

On March 27, 2013, Georgia Southern officially joined the Sun Belt Conference, beginning competition on July 1, 2014, and becoming bowl-eligible in 2015.

Immediate Success in the Sun Belt

Willie Fritz was named head coach in 2014. In their first FBS season, the Eagles finished 9-3 overall and 8-0 in Sun Belt Conference play, winning the conference championship outright. They became only the third team to win a conference title in their first FBS season and the first to go unbeaten in conference play. The NCAA denied Georgia Southern's request for a postseason waiver, preventing them from participating in a bowl game.

Recent History

Tyson Summers succeeded Fritz in 2015. After Summers was fired, assistant head coach Chad Lunsford was appointed as interim head coach for the rest of the 2017 season and was later officially named head coach. In 2018, Lunsford led the Eagles to a 10-win season, their first since transitioning to FBS, and a victory in the Camellia Bowl against Eastern Michigan.

In 2019 and 2020, the Eagles posted 7-5 records. A 1-3 start in 2021 led to Lunsford's firing.

On November 2, 2021, Georgia Southern hired Clay Helton as the new head coach. On September 10, 2022, Helton led Georgia Southern to an upset victory over Nebraska.

Rivalries

Georgia Southern has developed rivalries with several schools throughout its history. The Eagles have an ongoing rivalry with Appalachian State, dating back to their time together in the Southern Conference. Since 2014, Georgia Southern and Georgia State have competed against each other in football.

Traditions

Georgia Southern football is steeped in tradition, contributing to the program's unique identity and passionate fanbase.

Nicknames and Mascots

The university's athletic teams are known as the Eagles. However, the school has had several different nicknames throughout its history, including the Culture, Blue Tide, and Professors.

Beautiful Eagle Creek

During the program's revival in 1981, a drainage ditch near the practice field was affectionately named "Beautiful Eagle Creek" by Coach Erk Russell.

Hurricane Hugo Game

In 1989, a Thursday night game against Middle Tennessee State was played amidst the threat of Hurricane Hugo. The game proceeded with an open line to the National Hurricane Center, and temporary lighting was used due to the lack of permanent stadium lights.

Uniforms

The Eagles' uniforms feature a minimalist design with white pants, blue helmets with a white stripe and player number, and blue jerseys. This simple look originated from budget constraints when the program was restarted in 1982.

The Blue Buses

When the football program was restarted in 1981, money was tight. There was not enough money to furnish transportation to home games. The Bulloch County school system sold two buses for a dollar each to the team. The buses have been used by the team ever since as transportation to Allen E. Paulson Stadium.

"No Quarter Given, No Quarter Taken"

In 2011, the team introduced a black flag symbolizing their motto, "No quarter given, no quarter taken."

Steel Chair

During Chad Lunsford's tenure, he celebrated victories by slamming a steel chair adorned with the opponent's logo in the locker room.

Live Eagle Appearances

Live eagle appearances have been a part of Georgia Southern home games since the 1990s. Glory, a bald eagle unable to fly, appeared at university events until 2007. Since 2007, Freedom, a rescued bald eagle, has flown around Paulson Stadium before each home game.

Allen E. Paulson Stadium

Georgia Southern's home football games are played at Allen E. Paulson Stadium, dedicated on September 29, 1984. The stadium has a seating capacity of 25,000. Prior to the Eagles' first FBS season, Paulson Stadium underwent a major expansion project that included the addition of a new football operations center and more than 6,000 new seats. The stadium's attendance record of 26,483 was set on September 30, 2023.

Conclusion

The Georgia Southern Eagles football program has a remarkable history, from its early days to its championship runs in the FCS and its transition to the FBS. With a passionate fanbase and a commitment to tradition, the Eagles continue to strive for success in the Sun Belt Conference.

Georgia Southern Eagles Football: Game-by-Game Opponent Records

vs Appalachian State University
- Overall: 15-19
- Conf: 14-18
- Home: 11-6
- Away: 4-13
vs Arkansas State University
- Overall: 3-3
- Conf: 2-3
- Home: 2-1
- Away: 0-2
- Neutral: 1-0
vs Ball State University
- Overall: 2-0
- Home: 1-0
- Away: 1-0
vs Bethune-Cookman University
- Overall: 6-0
- Home: 4-0
- Away: 1-0
- Neutral: 1-0
vs Catawba College
- Overall: 2-1
- Home: 1-1
- Away: 1-0
vs Coastal Carolina University
- Overall: 7-4
- Conf: 4-4
- Home: 3-1
- Away: 4-3
vs East Tennessee State University
- Overall: 9-5
- Conf: 8-3
- Home: 5-1
- Away: 4-4
vs Eastern Kentucky University
- Overall: 2-2
- Home: 2-1
- Away: 0-1
vs Elon University
- Overall: 11-3
- Conf: 8-3
- Home: 6-1
- Away: 5-2
vs Florida A&M University
- Overall: 8-2
- Home: 2-1
- Away: 1-0
- Neutral: 5-1
vs Florida Atlantic University
- Overall: 1-1
- Home: 1-0
- Away: 0-1
vs Florida International University
- Overall: 2-0
- Home: 1-0
- Away: 1-0
vs Furman University
- Overall: 16-9
- Conf: 14-7
- Home: 8-4
- Away: 7-4
- Neutral: 1-1
vs Gardner-Webb University
- Overall: 3-1
- Home: 3-0
- Away: 0-1
vs Georgia State University
- Overall: 6-6
- Conf: 6-6
- Home: 3-3
- Away: 3-3
vs Jacksonville State University
- Overall: 5-0
- Home: 4-0
- Away: 1-0
vs James Madison University
- Overall: 9-3
- Conf: 2-2
- Home: 6-0
- Away: 3-3
vs Liberty University
- Overall: 3-1
- Conf: 0-1
- Home: 2-0
- Away: 1-0
- Neutral: 0-1
vs Mars Hill University
- Overall: 2-0
- Home: 1-0
- Away: 1-0
vs Marshall University
- Overall: 3-6
- Conf: 1-6
- Home: 2-3
- Away: 1-3
vs McNeese State University
- Overall: 1-2
- Home: 1-1
- Away: 0-1
vs Middle Tennessee
- Overall: 7-4
- Home: 4-1
- Away: 2-3
- Neutral: 1-0
vs New Mexico State University
- Overall: 5-1
- Conf: 3-1
- Home: 2-1
- Away: 3-0
vs Newberry College
- Overall: 4-1
- Home: 4-0
- Neutral: 0-1
vs Nicholls
- Overall: 3-0
- Home: 2-0
- Away: 1-0
vs North Dakota State University
- Overall: 0-3
- Home: 0-1
- Away: 0-2
vs Northeastern University
- Overall: 2-0
- Home: 1-0
- Away: 1-0
vs Old Dominion University
- Overall: 3-2
- Conf: 1-2
- Home: 1-1
- Away: 2-1
vs Presbyterian College
- Overall: 3-0
- Home: 1-0
- Away: 1-0
- Neutral: 1-0
vs Samford University
- Overall: 5-4
- Conf: 2-4
- Home: 3-2
- Away: 2-2
vs Savannah State University
- Overall: 12-0
- Home: 11-0
- Away: 1-0
vs South Carolina State University
- Overall: 9-0
- Home: 6-0
- Away: 3-0
vs South Dakota State University
- Overall: 3-1
- Home: 2-0
- Away: 1-1

Georgia Southern Eagles Football Team Stats & Information

All Time Record: 369-238-9
Claimed National Titles: 6 Div. I FCS national championships
Conference Membership: SoCon between 1992 and 2013, Sun Belt Conference from 2014-Present

2025 Team Stats

Passing Yards: 226.3 (Rank: 71st)
Rushing Yards: 138.3 (Rank: 93rd)
Points For: 29.4 (Rank: Tied-62nd)
Points Against: 35.6 (Rank: Tied-129th)

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