November 13, 2012 Alex Brown

d.alex.brown@gmail.com

    Howard was a great Homecoming date.
    The Bison had no answer for Georgia Southern’s offense, as the Eagles racked up 597 total yards and 69 points Saturday afternoon. It only took six offensive plays for Southern to score its first three touchdowns, and Southern put in cruise control from there. The Eagles averaged 10.9 yards per play; that will win you a bunch of ball games.
    After seeing the Eagles jump out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, Howard was able to muster some offense. The Bison scored two first-half touchdowns but only were able to cut the lead to 15 before the Eagles ran away with a 69-26 win.
    This week’s game ball goes to Jerick McKinnon. I feel like we give it to him every other week, but his stats this week are just plain silly. In just a little over three quarters of work, McKinnon ran the ball 16 times for 198 yards and three touchdowns. He also was 2-for-4 passing for 32 yards. Both pass completions went for touchdowns. His five-touchdown performance garnered him SoCon Offensive Player of the Week honors.
    Dominique Swope returned after missing the last two games due to injury. He ran the ball just four times, but he had 98 yards and two touchdowns.
    The win improves the Eagles’ record to 8-2 on the season and bumps Georgia Southern up to a No. 6 national ranking. In two other crucial SoCon games, Wofford defeated Chattanooga in overtime, and Appalachian State squeaked by Furman. Not only do those wins put three SoCon teams in the top 10, but it also assures that Wofford, App State and Georgia Southern will finish the season tied atop the Southern Conference with a 6-2 record in conference play.
    Next up for the Eagles, a trip to Athens to take on the University of Georgia. I honestly don’t like playing this game late in the season; let's just get out of this one healthy and ready for the playoffs.
    I have to give the Bulldogs credit. After Georgia got their butts handed to them by South Carolina several weeks ago, they since have regrouped and are on a roll. They blanked Auburn this past week 38-0 and are ranked No. 5 in this week’s BCS standings.
    Georgia Southern impressed the college football world last season by putting up over 300 yards of rushing and 21 points on Alabama — which, until last week, was the most points surrendered by the Crimson Tide since Cam Newton and Auburn scored 28 on them in 2010.
    Tattler prediction: Georgia honestly will be more focused on game planning for the option offense than ‘Bama because the Bulldogs face Georgia Tech next week, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see them more effectively slow down the Eagle offense. I hate to even make a prediction, but I do it every week, so I feel like it’s my responsibility. Unfortunately, I am realistic. Bulldogs 38, Eagles 17.
    Now, prove me wrong, Eagles.
    Georgia Southern basketball season is underway. The Lady Eagles opened their season at home Friday night and fell to Florida Atlantic 75-55 in head coach Chris Vozab’s debut. It was a close game until midway through the second half, when the Owls went on a 19-2 run to stretch a four-point lead to 21. The Lady Eagles are back in action on Friday, Nov. 23, at the Georgia State Thanksgiving Tournament.
    The men also had a forgettable season opener. The Eagles traveled to Valparaiso and walked away on the short end of an 85-54 blowout. Valpo is a good team that has everybody back from last season, but hopes are high for the Eagles’ 2012-13 season.
    The guys will try to bounce back Tuesday night at Charlotte. The home opener for the men is Friday night against Webber International.
    How is it already basketball season? And how in the world are we already to the end of the regular-season football? Time is flying — we must be having fun.

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