GSU reflects on week 1, moves on to Nevada

STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV) — The Georgia Southern Eagles are looking for answers after giving up 56 points in their opening week loss to Boise State. It was a game where Georgia Southern had the lead in the fourth quarter but was not able to hold on.

Georgia Southern’s defense was the problem in week one.

The defense was touted as one of the strongholds coming into its second year under Brandon Bailey, but as a team they surrendered 371 yards on the ground and seven touchdowns. Then through the air, they allowed 280 yards, another score for a grand total of 651 yards and eight touchdowns.

They were only able to produce one take away.

“Obviously, we played a really talented running back,” Coach Clay Helton said. “No discredit to him. He is unbelievably talented, but we helped the situation. We had 14 critical errors assignment-wise that led to nine explosive plays. We must do a better job with a talented runner getting him on the ground.”

The Eagles do not have a long time to feel sorry for themselves, this week they travel to Nevada, a team that defeated fellow Sun Belt Conference member Troy on the road 28-26. In that game, their top rusher Savion Red amassed 135 yards and as a team they racked up 214.

“We have to be a little more intentional going into this week,” defensive back TJ Smith said. “Maybe last week we weren’t as intentional as we should have been on certain things, being on time, a lot of things. Just this week, we need to be more intentional with everything. Every rep, every meeting, every left because all of it matters. All of it plays a part in us winning or losing a game. So, I feel like we really need to harp on that a lot more this week.”

This will also be the first road test for starting quarterback JC French, the redshirt sophomore went 28 for 50 for 322 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He also led the team in rushing yards.

“Some guys like to have a short throw to get into rhythm,” Helton said referring to JC French, “JC had to get punched in the mouth a couple of times and then finally he started settling in. Then you could see competitive juices get flowing. He needed that game. He needed real, live football for 85-plus plays that we played and really grow in that game, not only as passer, as a runner, as a field general.”

Georgia Southern travels out to Reno for their game against Nevada on Saturday at 7 p.m.