Time: Saturday at noon.
Location: Delaware Stadium
About the Teams:
About Delaware: The Hens (11-2, 6-2 CAA) used their offensive strength to roll past Lehigh in the second round of the FCS playoffs, 42-20, and then prevailed in a defensive struggle against New Hampshire, 16-3. In the two playoff games, senior quarterback Pat Devlin has thrown for 517 yards with six touchdown passes and zero interceptions. Wide receivers junior Mark Schenauer and sophomore Nihja White each have a touchdown reception in both playoff games. Senior defensive back Anthony Walters has picked off three passes in the two games, and freshman defensive tackle Jamaul Christopher has picked up a sack in both games.
About Georgia Southern: The Eagles (10-4, 5-3 Southern) have won three playoff games on the road. First, they defeated South Carolina State 41-16 on Thanksgiving weekend and then defeated No. 2-seeded William & Mary, 31-15. Last weekend, the Eagles avenged a regular-season loss to Wofford, beating the Terriers 23-20 to get the semifinals. The Eagles run the triple-option offense and are lead by junior quarterback Jaybo Shaw, freshman fullback Robert Brown and sophomore slotback J.J. Wilcoxm who have rushed for 16, six and six touchdowns respectively.
Why the Hens can win: Delaware showed last weekend why a team needs to have a great defense in order to win championships. Many Hens' players have experience defending the triple-option from playing Navy last year, so it is not a new concept to them. On offense, Devlin will be expected to show once again that he is the best quarterback in the country at this level, against a Eagle defense that has been susceptible to the pass at times during the season. Because they played Friday, the Hens get one more day off than do the Eagles, and they have home field advantage.
Why the Hens can lose: The triple-option, or "wishbone," offense that Georgia Southern runs is incredibly hard and demanding to defend. The Eagles wear teams down over the course of the game by consistently pounding the ball play after play until they finally break one for a long gain. Georgia Southern also gets teams to put the ball on the ground—the Eagles forced six fumbles against Wofford—so the Hens' receivers and backs will have to hold on to the ball. Georgia Southern has already won three playoff games on the road, so playing a fourth one will not affect them at all, although Delaware Stadium will be the biggest venue of the four.
By the Numbers:
27-18: The score of the 2000 semifinal played between these two teams, a Georgia Southern victory at Delaware Stadium.
7-0: K.C. Keeler's home playoff record
423: The number of rushing yards the Eagles ran for against William & Mary. The Hens only rushed for 47 yards in their game against the Tribe.
68.2: Pat Devlin's completion percentage on the year, the highest in the nation.
The Prediction:
The Hens are much more adept at defending the triple-option than was William & Mary. That, combined with Devlin's skills, the seniors' experience and the team's superior fitness, will take the Hens to Frisco. Delaware wins a physical game.
Hens 27
Eagles 23
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9 comments
B) the Eagles are going to ware down your boys.C) GATA