Complete Game Notes (pdf)

This week’s game
The Terriers open Southern Conference play this week with a trip to Statesboro to face Georgia Southern. Last week, Wofford faced South Carolina and were defeated 23-13 in a close contest that was not decided until the final two minutes. Wofford has opened the season 2-1 overall, with wins over Presbyterian and Charleston Southern. After three weeks of the season, Wofford has the nation’s second-ranked rushing offense at 328.67 average yards and the 15th ranked total offense in the nation with 429.0 average yards. The rushing defense is 22nd in the nation, allowing only 87.67 average yards. The Terriers are the 2008 defending Southern Conference Champions. The Terriers return 43 letterwinners from last season, including six offensive starters, four defensive starters and two specialists. In addition, six other players with at least two starts return for Wofford. Wofford finished the 2007 season 9-4 and were 5-2 in the Southern Conference. In the Sports Network Poll, Wofford is ranked 14th and in the FCS Coaches Poll the Terriers are ranked 11th. Wofford was picked to finish third in the conference by the SoCon Coaches. Georgia Southern is 2-2 on the season and 0-1 in Southern Conference play. They were defeated by Georgia, had wins over Austin Peay and Northeastern, and opened conference play last week with a 22-20 loss at home to Elon. The Eagles are ranked 24th in the Sports Network Poll and 22nd in the FCS Coaches Poll. They were picked to finish fourth in the preseason by the SoCon Coaches.

The Georgia Southern Series
Wofford and Georgia Southern have faced each other 13 times, with the Eagles holding an 8-5 advantage. Wofford won the first game in the series in 1982, followed by six straight wins by Georgia Southern. At Paulson Stadium, the series is tied 3-3. Wofford won the last meeting in Statesboro, 28-10 in 2006. The Terriers have won four of the last six games. In addition, four of the last six games were decided by a touchdown or less.

About Georgia Southern
The Eagles have won six FCS National Championships, with the most recent won in 2000. Last season they finished 7-4 overall and 4-3 in the Southern Conference, tied for third place. Head Coach Chris Hatcher is in his second year as a head coach at Georgia Southern and has an 83-16 overall record in eight seasons as a head coach. They return 13 starters from last year, including three on offense, nine on defense and one specialist. They lost eleven starters, including quarterback Jayson Foster, the 2007 Walter Payton Award winner.