Looking ahead to the Georgia Southern Eagles

The sixth in a series of looks ahead at WCU 2012 football opponents. 

Game 6 - Georgia Southern Eagles (Homecoming)

Date with GSU: Saturday, Oct. 6th, 3:30 p.m

Site: E.J. Whitmire Stadium (13,742 - Desso Challenge Pro 2 turf), Cullowhee, NC

Series: GSU leads 20-2 (Lost last 17)

Head Coach: Jeff Monken (Milikin ‘89)

2011 Record: 13-3 overall, 7-1 conference

Record at GSU: 21-8 (2 yrs)

Career Record: Same

Basic Offense: Triple Option Basic

Defense: 4-3

Lettermen Returning / Lost: 56 / 24

Starters Returning / Lost (O/D/S): 15(8/7) / 7(3/4)

The Catamounts will welcome the Georgia Southern Eagles to Cullowhee on the first weekend of October for two special events, other than the battle on the football field.  Both Homecoming and The Catamount Legacy - All Sports Reunion will be held on the weekend that the Catamounts arguably get their sternest test up to this point of the season.

Not selling Marshall short, but the Eagles are that good, especially against WCU.   The Catamounts have lost 17 in a row against the triple option offense of the Georgia Southern Eagles. However, the Cats' two wins did come in Cullowhee, the Cats picked up a  14-7 win in 1941, and a 35-31 victory in 1994 both in Cullowhee.

Led by preseason SoCon Defensive Player of the Year selection Brent Russell, the Eagles were voted atop the Southern Conference preseason coaches football poll. Joining Russell on the preseason All-Conference Team (first team) are offensive lineman Dorian Byrd and safety Deion Stanley. The Eagles also had three second team selections, offensive lineman Blake DeBartola, linebacker Darius Eubanks and return specialist Darreion Robinson.

On offense, the Southern Conference defending champion Eagles must replace quarterback Jaybo Shaw, who was an integral part of the Eagles' triple-option attack that averaged almost 34 points a game. Ezayi Youyoute (5-11, 188, So.) or Jerick Mckinnon (5-9, 208, Jr.) is expected to battle for the starting quarterback job, but probably Youyoute will get the nod. The Eagles return eight starters on offense, with a veteran running back corps and offensive line.

On defense, seven starters return for the Eagles, led by defensive tackle Brent Russell, safety Deion Stanley, and linebacker Darius Eubanks.  Georgia Southern is able to fill any graduation holes with experienced replacements.

This will be a difficult outing for the Catamounts, keeping the game close would be major improvement over the recent past.