NC State vs Georgia Southern Preview

On Saturday, August 30, 2014 the Georgia Southern Eagles visit Carter-Finley Stadium for the season opener for both teams. That’s right, it is time for NC State vs Georgia Southern.

The GOOD news: The 2013 version of an Eagles triple-option offense that amassed more than 3,900 yards (tops in the FCS) is gone.

The BAD news: Coach Jeff Monken took the Army head coaching position in January and was replaced with former Sam Houston offensive wiz Willie Fritz who prefers to deploy spread offenses similar to that of Larry Fedora at UNC and East Carolina’s Ruffin McNeill. The twist in this 2014 Eagle squad is that Fritz is likely to keep some of the fan favorite triple option plays while also incorporating some spread offense schemes. All this amounts to a tricky first game for the Pack.

Georgia Southern will be playing its first game as a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) member. However, don’t be fooled. This Eagle team from Statesboro, Georgia Southern, has a strong tradition of winning as they are a six-time FCS champion and is coming off a 7-4 season that highlighted one of the biggest upsets of the 2013 football season. Last year, this Sun Belt Conference foe drubbed the Florida Gators in Gaineville 26-20. Though only a six point victory, Georgia Southern dominated the game behind 429 yards rushing while not completing a single pass.

Returning to the helm of this presumably dual threat offensive attack is sophomore QB Kevin Ellison. The Wolfpack had better be prepared. Any team that can go into the Swamp and leave victorious, can come to Raleigh and do the same.