2020 Georgia Southern Eagles football team explained
Mode: | football |
Year: | 2020 |
Team: | Georgia Southern Eagles |
Conference: | Sun Belt Conference |
Short Conf: | Sun Belt |
Division: | East Division |
Record: | 8–5 |
Conf Record: | 4–4 |
Head Coach: | Chad Lunsford |
Hc Year: | 3rd |
Off Coach: | Bob DeBesse (3rd season; first 10 games) Doug Ruse (interim; final 3 games) |
Off Scheme: | Pistol |
Def Coach: | Scot Sloan |
Dc Year: | 3rd |
Def Scheme: | 3–4 |
Stadium: | Paulson Stadium |
Champion: | New Orleans Bowl champion |
Bowl: | New Orleans Bowl |
Bowl Result: | W 38–3 vs. Louisiana Tech |
The 2020 Georgia Southern Eagles football team represented Georgia Southern University during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Eagles played their home games at Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia, and competed in the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference. They were led by third-year head coach Chad Lunsford.
Preseason
Sun Belt coaches' poll
The Sun Belt coaches poll was released on August 25, 2020. Georgia Southern was picked to finish 2nd in the East Division with 36 total votes.[1]
East Division1 | Appalachian State | 49 (9) |
2 | Georgia Southern | 36 |
3 | Troy | 32 (1) |
4 | Georgia State | 20 |
5 | Coastal Carolina | 13 | |
West Division1 | Louisiana | 47 (7) |
2 | Arkansas State | 40 (2) |
3 | South Alabama | 22 (1) |
4 | Texas State | 21 |
5 | Louisiana–Monroe | 20 | |
Preseason All-Sun Belt teams
The Eagles had five players selected to the preseason All−Sun Belt teams; three from the defense and two from special teams.[1]
Defense
1st team
- Raymond Johnson – SR, Defensive Line
- Rashad Byrd – R-SR, linebacker
- Kenderick Duncan Jr. – R-JR, defensive back
Special teams
1st team
- Wesley Kennedy III – SR, return specialist
2nd team
- Anthony Beck II – R-SO, punter
Schedule
Georgia Southern had games against Boise State and Ole Miss, which were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] [3] They added a November game with Army on August 11.[4] On October 7, the game against Appalachian State scheduled for October 14 was postponed to December 12 due to COVID-19 positive tests within the Mountaineers' football program.[5] [6] [7]
Game summaries
Campbell
See also: 2020 Campbell Fighting Camels football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
---|
GASO −34.5 | 58.5[8] | |
Statistics | Campbell | Georgia Southern |
---|
First downs | 17 | 20 |
Total yards | 380 | 346 |
Rushing yards | 143 | 284 |
Passing yards | 237 | 62 |
Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
Time of possession | 26:04 | 33:56 |
|
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|
Campbell | Passing | Hajj-Malik Williams | 17/27, 237 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | Hajj-Malik Williams | 11 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Jai Williams | 4 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD |
Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 7/13, 53 yards, 1 TD |
Rushing | Shai Werts | 14 carries, 155 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | D. J. Butler | 3 receptions, 22 yards, 1 TD | |
At Louisiana
See also: 2020 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
---|
LA −13.5 | 52.5[9] | |
Statistics | Georgia Southern | Louisiana |
---|
First downs | 21 | 18 |
Total yards | 447 | 438 |
Rushing yards | 192 | 148 |
Passing yards | 255 | 290 |
Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
Time of possession | 35:14 | 24:46 |
|
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|
Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 11/18, 255 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | J. D. King | 24 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Wesley Kennedy III | 2 receptions, 105 yards |
Louisiana | Passing | | 18/32, 290 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | | 4 carries, 54 yards |
Receiving | Peter LeBlanc | 3 receptions, 64 yards | |
At Louisiana–Monroe
See also: 2020 Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
---|
GASO −19.5 | 49.5[10] | |
Statistics | Georgia Southern | Louisiana–Monroe |
---|
First downs | 19 | 24 |
Total yards | 369 | 426 |
Rushing yards | 340 | 92 |
Passing yards | 29 | 334 |
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Time of possession | 34:53 | 25:07 |
|
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|
Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 3/7, 29 yards |
Rushing | J. D. King | 21 carries, 196 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Beau Johnson | 1 reception, 17 yards |
Louisiana–Monroe | Passing | Colby Suits | 31/54, 334 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | Colby Suits | 7 carries, 51 yards |
Receiving | Tyler Lamm | 5 receptions, 66 yards | |
UMass
See also: 2020 UMass Minutemen football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
---|
GASO −31 | 62[11] | |
Statistics | UMass | Georgia Southern |
---|
First downs | 10 | 20 |
Total yards | 191 | 436 |
Rushing yards | 111 | 308 |
Passing yards | 80 | 128 |
Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
Time of possession | 29:09 | 30:51 |
|
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|
UMass | Passing | Mike Fallon | 7/12, 41 yards, 1 INT |
Rushing | Will Koch | 4 carries, 41 yards |
Receiving | | 4 receptions, 28 yards |
Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 11/16, 128 yards, 3 TDs |
Rushing | Wesley Kennedy III | 6 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Malik Murray | 4 receptions, 68 yards, 1 TD | |
At Coastal Carolina
See also: 2020 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
---|
CCU −1 | 49[12] | |
Statistics | Georgia Southern | Coastal Carolina |
---|
First downs | 12 | 20 |
Total yards | 218 | 382 |
Rushing yards | 119 | 130 |
Passing yards | 99 | 252 |
Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
Time of possession | 27:43 | 32:17 |
|
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|
Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 7/20, 94 yards, 2 INTs |
Rushing | J. D. King | 15 carries, 67 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Malik Murray | 2 receptions, 46 yards |
Coastal Carolina | Passing | Fred Payton | 15/28, 252 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs |
Rushing | Shermari Jones | 5 carries, 44 yards |
Receiving | | 5 receptions, 107 yards | |
South Alabama
See also: 2020 South Alabama Jaguars football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
---|
GASO −3.5 | 52[13] | |
Statistics | South Alabama | Georgia Southern |
---|
First downs | 16 | 15 |
Total yards | 264 | 345 |
Rushing yards | 64 | 250 |
Passing yards | 200 | 95 |
Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Time of possession | 28:19 | 31:41 |
|
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|
South Alabama | Passing | | 20/27, 200 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | Carlos Davis | 20 carries, 70 yards |
Receiving | | 5 receptions, 65 yards |
Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 5/9, 95 yards, 1 INT |
Rushing | Wesley Kennedy III | 13 carries, 91 yards, 2 TDs |
Receiving | Malik Murray | 1 reception, 38 yards | |
Troy
See also: 2020 Troy Trojans football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
---|
TROY −3 | 52[14] | |
Statistics | Troy | Georgia Southern |
---|
First downs | 14 | 20 |
Total yards | 235 | 411 |
Rushing yards | 34 | 326 |
Passing yards | 201 | 85 |
Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
Time of possession | 17:13 | 42:47 |
|
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|
Troy | Passing | Jacob Free | 21/47, 201 yards, 2 INTs |
Rushing | Jamontez Woods | 3 carries, 23 yards |
Receiving | | 6 receptions, 49 yards |
Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 12/13, 85 yards, 1 INT |
Rushing | Gerald Green | 10 carries, 109 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | | 1 reception, 35 yards | |
Texas State
See also: 2020 Texas State Bobcats football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
---|
GASO −12 | 49.5[15] | |
Statistics | Texas State | Georgia Southern |
---|
First downs | 18 | 20 |
Total yards | 299 | 437 |
Rushing yards | 30 | 386 |
Passing yards | 269 | 51 |
Turnovers | 3 | 3 |
Time of possession | 18:41 | 41:19 |
|
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|
Texas State | Passing | Brady McBride | 7/13, 155 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | Brock Sturges | 6 carries, 31 yards |
Receiving | Marcell Barbee | 5 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD |
Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 6/9, 51 yards, 1 INT |
Rushing | Shai Werts | 21 carries, 120 yards, 3 TDs |
Receiving | Wesley Kennedy III | 1 reception, 23 yards | |
At Army
See also: 2020 Army Black Knights football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
---|
ARMY –3 | 38.5[16] | |
Statistics | Georgia Southern | Army |
---|
First downs | 12 | 20 |
Total yards | 311 | 268 |
Rushing yards | 175 | 243 |
Passing yards | 126 | 25 |
Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
Time of possession | 21:36 | 38:24 |
|
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|
Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 6/7, 80 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | Wesley Kennedy III | 8 carries, 71 yards |
Receiving | Malik Murray | 3 receptions, 41 yards |
Army | Passing | Tyhier Tyler | 1/1, 25 yards |
Rushing | Tyhier Taylor | 35 carries, 121 yards |
Receiving | Chris Cameron | 1 reception, 25 yards | |
At Georgia State
\
See also: 2020 Georgia State Panthers football team and Modern Day Hate.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
---|
GSU –3 | 51[17] | |
Statistics | Georgia Southern | Georgia State |
---|
First downs | 13 | 22 |
Total yards | 370 | 427 |
Rushing yards | 296 | 55 |
Passing yards | 74 | 372 |
Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
Time of possession | 30:48 | 29:12 |
|
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|
Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 4/7, 67 yards |
Rushing | Logan Wright | 8 carries, 143 yards, 2 TDs |
Receiving | Khaleb Hood | 1 reception, 44 yards |
Georgia State | Passing | Cornelious Brown IV | 28/39, 372 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
Rushing | Destin Coates | 15 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Sam Pinckney | 10 receptions, 126 yards | |
Florida Atlantic
See also: 2020 Florida Atlantic Owls football team.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
---|
FAU –2.5 | 40.5[18] | |
Statistics | Florida Atlantic | Georgia Southern |
---|
First downs | 16 | 18 |
Total yards | 322 | 339 |
Rushing yards | 133 | 269 |
Passing yards | 189 | 70 |
Turnovers | 4 | 0 |
Time of possession | 23:15 | 36:45 |
|
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|
Florida Atlantic | Passing | Javion Posey | 7/15, 107 yards, 2 TDs |
Rushing | Javion Posey | 8 carries, 61 yards |
Receiving | Jordan Merrell | 3 receptions, 67 yards |
Georgia Southern | Passing | Justin Tomlin | 3/12, 70 yards |
Rushing | Justin Tomlin | 20 carries, 78 yards |
Receiving | Logan Wright | 2 receptions, 65 yards | |
Appalachian State
See also: 2020 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team and Appalachian State–Georgia Southern football rivalry.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
---|
APP –9 | 45[19] | |
Statistics | Appalachian State | Georgia Southern |
---|
First downs | 17 | 16 |
Total yards | 381 | 349 |
Rushing yards | 173 | 204 |
Passing yards | 208 | 145 |
Turnovers | 2 | 4 |
Time of possession | 34:52 | 25:08 |
|
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|
Appalachian State | Passing | Zac Thomas | 18/29, 208 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
Rushing | Nate Noel | 13 carries, 103 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Thomas Hennigan | 8 receptions, 64 yards, 1 TD |
Georgia Southern | Passing | Miller Mosley | 5/14, 122 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs |
Rushing | Justin Tomlin | 6 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Dexter Carter Jr. | 1 reception, 78 yards, 1 TD | |
Louisiana Tech (New Orleans Bowl)
See also: 2020 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team and 2020 New Orleans Bowl.
style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
---|
GASO –4.5 | 51[20] | |
Statistics | Louisiana Tech | Georgia Southern |
---|
First downs | 15 | 17 |
Total yards | 232 | 448 |
Rushing yards | 113 | 322 |
Passing yards | 119 | 126 |
Turnovers | 4 | 0 |
Time of possession | 25:33 | 34:27 |
|
Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
---|
Louisiana Tech | Passing | JD Head | 9/14, 78 yards, 1 INT |
Rushing | Israel Tucker | 20 carries, 123 yards |
Receiving | Isaiah Graham | 3 receptions, 26 yards |
Georgia Southern | Passing | Shai Werts | 7/12, 126 yards, 1 TD |
Rushing | Gerald Green | 16 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD |
Receiving | Khaleb Hood | 1 reception, 65 yards, 1 TD | |
Notes and References
- Web site: Sun Belt Announces Preseason Poll, Players of the Year and All-Conference Teams . SunBeltSports.org . . August 25, 2020 . September 6, 2020.
- Web site: Talty . John . SEC moves to conference-only 2020 schedule, pushes back start of season . AL.com . July 30, 2020.
- Web site: McMurphy . Brett . Sources: Mountain West Cancels Fall Football Season . WatchStadium.com . August 11, 2020.
- Web site: Georgia Southern Adds Road Football Game at Army West Point . Georgia Southern Athletic Department . August 11, 2020.
- Web site: Georgia Southern/Appalachian State Game Postponed . Georgia Southern Athletics . October 7, 2020.
- Web site: 2020 Georgia Southern Eagles Schedule . ESPN . August 30, 2020 . en.
- Web site: 2020 Football Schedule . Georgia Southern University Athletics . August 30, 2020 . en.
- Web site: Campbell Fighting Camels vs Georgia Southern Eagles . Odds Shark . 9 September 2020 . en.
- Web site: Georgia Southern Eagles vs Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns . Odds Shark . 23 September 2020 . en.
- Web site: Georgia Southern Eagles vs Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks . Odds Shark . 3 October 2020 . en.
- Web site: Massachusetts Minutemen vs Georgia Southern Eagles . Odds Shark . 18 October 2020 . en.
- Web site: Georgia Southern Eagles vs Coastal Carolina Chanticleers . Odds Shark . 27 October 2020 . en.
- Web site: South Alabama Jaguars vs Georgia Southern Eagles . Odds Shark . 4 November 2020 . en.
- Web site: Troy Trojans vs Georgia Southern Eagles . Odds Shark . 9 November 2020 . en.
- Web site: Texas State Bobcats vs Georgia Southern Eagles . Odds Shark . 16 November 2020 . en.
- Web site: Georgia Southern Eagles vs Army Black Knights . Odds Shark . 21 December 2020 . en.
- Web site: Georgia Southern Eagles vs Georgia State Panthers . Odds Shark . 22 December 2020 . en.
- Web site: Florida Atlantic Owls vs Georgia Southern Eagles . Odds Shark . 23 December 2020 . en.
- Web site: Appalachian State Mountaineers vs Georgia Southern Eagles . Odds Shark . 19 December 2020 . en.
- Web site: LA Tech Bulldogs vs Georgia Southern Eagles . Odds Shark . 19 December 2020 . en.