STATESBORO — Midseason accomplishment won’t be confused with even temporary satisfaction at Georgia Southern.
After GSU’s biggest win of the season, a 17-9 slugfest with fourth-ranked Wofford last Saturday night, junior quarterback Jerick McKinnon proclaimed the Eagles still haven’t played their best game.
The victory put GSU (5-1 overall, 4-1 in conference play) atop the Southern Conference standings.
A few days later, the Eagles moved up to No. 3 in the national rankings.
But the parade down Main Street in Statesboro on Monday had nothing to do with football.
“I don’t know where I thought we’d be,” GSU coach Jeff Monken said. “I know where I hoped we’d be. There’s a lot of football left to be played. This is a tough league. The challenge is to get our team prepared to play their very best.”
Despite losing several senior leaders from a group that advanced to the FCS Final Four two years in a row, the Eagles seemingly have a rebuilding program pointed in the right direction.
It’s not the typical, high-powered offensive force supporters have grown accustomed to here. This year’s squad is defense driven.
“I thought we played extremely well Saturday night,” GSU defensive coordinator Jack Curtis said. “I liked how we were able to get after (Wofford) and that’s the way we’ve been playing most of the year. ... (The defensive players) have really bought in and believe in what we’re doing.”
Defense is getting the accolades, but the offense isn’t shabby. The Eagles are running for 408.3 yards and scoring 33.7 points a game.
“I think we’re still a work in progress, but we’re starting to get some continuity and getting some people back who were banged up,” GSU offensive coordinator Brent Davis said. “We’ve had the same goals every week. We’re concerned with making progress.”
GSU’S MIDSEASON REPORT CARD
QUARTERBACKS — B minus
The coaching staff had to do some tinkering early on. The Eagles started with sophomore Ezayi Youyoute, but found the triple-option offense could be just as explosive with McKinnon, who has provided better ball security at quarterback. Scoring is down about 10 points this season, and the pass offense (34.5 yards a game) is the worst in the nation. But the run offense (408.3 yards a game) is GSU’s most productive under Monken.
SLOTBACKS — B
Southern has been stealing from this position to make the rest of the team better. J.J. Wilcox, the unit’s leading pass receiver, was moved to safety and McKinnon has been taking snaps as the starting quarterback the last 2½ games. But seniors Johnathan Bryant and Darreion Robinson have been consistent, averaging 8.2 and 6.5 yards a carry, respectively. Robert Brown, when healthy, gives GSU a smashmouth presence on the perimeter.
FULLBACKS — A
Sophomore Dominique Swope gave the Eagles a boost at the end of last season and has continued his powerful running this year, compiling 662 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has scored at least one touchdown in every game this season and seven straight games over the last two seasons. Swope gets most of snaps, but backups William Banks and James Dean showed they’re capable after 100-yard outings against Western Carolina.
WIDE RECEIVERS — Incomplete
The sample size here is just too small. GSU averages 5½ passes a game. Patrick Barker and Mitch Williford, with 11 starts between them, have combined for one catch and six receiving yards. But Davis looks past the numbers and says this unit has been making big plays (blocking) without having the ball in their hands. Kentrellis Showers leads the team with six receptions for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
OFFENSIVE LINE — B
The Eagles lost three seniors, including All-America tackle Brett Moore, from this group. Injuries have taken their toll as well. Six different combinations have started on the line, which has provided the push for a running game that ranks second in the FCS. Tackle Dorian Byrd has played well despite foot problems. Tackle Garrett Frye and guard Logan Daves has formed a strong right side. Blake DeBartola has displayed versatility by playing some guard, tackle and center. Manrey Saint-Amour is settling in at center.
DEFENSIVE LINE — A
Many FCS followers know about tackle Brent Russell, the SoCon Defensive Player of the Year last season. But the senior is surrounded by an active unit that ranks second in the division in total defense (allowing 266.5 yards a game) and seventh in scoring defense (allowing 14.0 points a game). Blake Riley has moved to nose tackle, freeing Russell from double teams to cause more havoc in opposing backfields. The return of defensive end Dion DuBose from a knee injury gives the team speed on the corner. Reserve Javon Mention has a team-leading five sacks.
LINEBACKERS — B
Undersized linebackers John Stevenson (5-foot-11, 202 pounds) and Kyle Oehlbeck (5-10, 209) have held up well against some of the ground-and-pound teams of the Southern Conference. They combined for 20 tackles Saturday against Wofford. Stevenson, who has filled the void for academically ineligible Josh Rowe (second-leading tackler last season), leads the team with 49 tackles overall. True freshman Patrick Flowe provided key relief while starting the first two games and filling in another time when Oehlbeck was injured.
DEFENSIVE BACKS — B plus
At this time last season, GSU ranked 95th among 120 FCS team in passing defense. This season, the Eagles are fourth against the pass, allowing 146.7 yards (almost 100 less than this time last season), and ninth in pass efficiency defense (a rating of 100.7). Wilcox and Darius Eubanks might be the two hardest hitting safeties in the division. Illinois-transfer Valdon Cooper has lessened the loss of cornerback Laron Scott, who made the New York Giants’ practice roster.
SPECIAL TEAMS — B minus
No one envies placekicker Alex Hanks and punter Luke Cherry. Hanks, a freshman, eventually took over for one of the most accurate kickers in the FCS, Adrian Mora. Cherry replaced dependable punter Charlie Edwards. Hanks has been 15 for 15 in extra-point kicks but had two field-goal tries blocked during his six attempts. Cherry averages only 36.9 yards a punt but has allowed only two return yards in 22 punts. Wilcox has been a pleasant surprise returning kickoffs an average of 26.1 yards (21st best in the FCS). Robinson has been solid at 8.8 yards a punt return.
COACHING — A minus
Monken and his staff have done a nice job leading offensive, defensive and special teams units through transitions when holes appeared to be everywhere to start the season. Some rearranging still was needed once the season began, but the staff hasn’t backed away from difficult decisions. Hard to believe only 2½ seasons ago, GSU was coming off a four-year stretch of 21-23 with no playoff appearances. The Eagles are 26-9 with two Final Four berths under Monken. Another run deep into December looks more possible every day.