First Look: What to expect from Georgia Southern

We are only a few days away from kickoff. Game time is slated for 12:30 ET at Carter Finley Stadium. The Pack hosts the Georgia Southern Eagles. The Eagles are coming off a 7-4 record that was capped off by a big upset win in their finale against the Florida Gators in the Swamp!

Georgia Southern features a ground oriented triple option attack that is spearheaded by Quarterback Kevin Ellison’s reads. As I watched film on the Florida game it was clear that Ellison does an excellent job at reading the defensive ends, before making the decision to tuck it and run or hand it off. Their offense becomes really dangerous once Ellison breaks off a couple of big gainers. This opens up the dive to the fullback up the middle, due to the linebackers and ends watching Ellison longer.

Along with our linemen, our defensive backs must remain engaged. It can be easy for defensive backs to be caught sleeping when an opposing team runs the ball at such a high rate. However just as the safeties begin creeping up, look for Georgia Southern to take a couple of shots down the field to open the box up.

In addition to Ellison, Coach Fritz who is in his first season at the helm talked about the possibility of using Favian Upshaw a transfer from Florida International. Upshaw brings 4.3 speed at the QB position and could be a terror in the open field. Fritz is excited about having both Ellison and Upshaw at his disposal calling them “Dynamic Performers.”

While State will have the advantage in the talent category, they will have to deal with a lot of misdirection this Satruday. Willie Fritz will bring his version of the triple option to Georgia Southern following his success at Sam Houston State, there he averaged 10 wins a season and finished with an overall record of 40-15. Fritz’s offensive scheme was extremely successful at Sam Houston State, the past three season’s they were the leaders in scoring offense in the FCS.

The Pack must play assignment football come Saturday. They must be disciplined and stay at home and not allow Ellison daylight around the end. As soon as the ends collapse that is where the defense becomes vulnerably to Ellison around the end or the pitch to the halfback. They should be prepared given the amount of time the Pack have had to get ready.

We will have a full preview with our keys to the game and ‘players to watch’ coming later in the week…