elcid96
July 29th, 2008, 11:48 AM
Posted from the Charleston Post and Courier this morning:
http://www.charleston.net/blogs/bulldog_bites/
Georgia Southern coach Chris Hatcher reversed the stigma of the Brian VanGorder error with one decision -- he moved Jayson Foster back to quarterback.
VanGorder had marginalized one of the Southern Conference's special talents when he moved Foster to wide receiver, installing a "pro-style" offense and precipitating GSU's fall to a 3-8 record in 2006, the Eagles' worst mark since 1941.
That led to VanGorder's quick move to South Carolina, and then to the Atlanta Falcons, leading to the hiring of Hatcher, who had developed a rep as a passing guru at Valdosta State. It took only a few practices for Hatcher to see how special Foster was, even though the short speedster hardly resembled the prototypical passers Hatcher had developed at Valdosta State.
All Foster did last year was rush for 1,844 yards and 24 touchdowns, pass for six more scores and lead GSU back to SoCon contention with a 7-4 record while winning the Walter Payton Award as the best player in FCS.
Foster is gone now, having signed a free-agent deal with the Miami Dolphins, and in many ways the Hatcher era really begins this season.
Citadel offense vs. GSU defense
Only Wofford did a better job against the Bulldogs' spread-option last year than did the Eagles, limiting The Citadel to 358 yards in a 21-17 GSU win in Statesboro. But Citadel QB Duran Lawson was having a fine day (109 rushing yards, 14 of 26 for 153 yards and two scores) before suffering a season-ending knee injury late in the fourth quarter, perhaps forestalling a Citadel comeback.
GSU has nine starters back on a defense that was not great by Eagles standards, allowing 31.6 ppg and 404.6 ypg. DE Larry Beard anchors a 3-main front that Hatcher says must play better this season. The linebackers are an average bunch, with not even a second-team preseason all-SoCon pick among them, and Hatcher is looking for freshmen to make an impact at outside linebacker.
The secondary has two preseason all-SoCon picks in cornerback Carson Hill and rover Chris Covington, a converted runnnig back. The Eagles use a "rover" and "bandit" along with two corners and a free safety. CB Hill and bandit Ronnie Wiggins sat out the spring with injuries, and freshmen will be counted on again for depth.
Citadel defense vs. GSU offense
With Foster gone, GSU's "Hatch Attack" should more closely resemble the pass-happy schemes Hatcher ran at Valdosta State. Redshirt freshman Lee Chapple won the starting job out of spring practice, but that was before 6-4, 235-pound Antonio Henton transferred in from Ohio State. Hatcher insists that Henton starts out at the bottom of the depth chart, but you can bet the Georgia native will get every chance to earn the starting job. He didn't transfer in to sit on the bench.
Still, Henton can't be as fast as Jayson Foster, who ran for TDs of 15 and 80 yards in the fourth quarter to beat the Bulldogs last season. GSU has huge holes to fill at running back, with Zeke Rozier coming off a knee injury. Ricky Ponton transferred in from South Florida, and Darell Norman from Alabama-Birmingham, and freshmen will get a look here, as well. The WR corps includes five seniors.
Without Foster's game-breaking abilities, it will be interesting to see how the "Hatch Attack" evolves this season.
The Crystal Ball
The Bulldogs played three quarters of beautiful defense against GSU last season, only to see Foster get loose twice in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs' offense will score enough points this time to prevent another Eagles comeback.
Prediction: The Citadel 28, GSU 24
http://www.charleston.net/blogs/bulldog_bites/
Georgia Southern coach Chris Hatcher reversed the stigma of the Brian VanGorder error with one decision -- he moved Jayson Foster back to quarterback.
VanGorder had marginalized one of the Southern Conference's special talents when he moved Foster to wide receiver, installing a "pro-style" offense and precipitating GSU's fall to a 3-8 record in 2006, the Eagles' worst mark since 1941.
That led to VanGorder's quick move to South Carolina, and then to the Atlanta Falcons, leading to the hiring of Hatcher, who had developed a rep as a passing guru at Valdosta State. It took only a few practices for Hatcher to see how special Foster was, even though the short speedster hardly resembled the prototypical passers Hatcher had developed at Valdosta State.
All Foster did last year was rush for 1,844 yards and 24 touchdowns, pass for six more scores and lead GSU back to SoCon contention with a 7-4 record while winning the Walter Payton Award as the best player in FCS.
Foster is gone now, having signed a free-agent deal with the Miami Dolphins, and in many ways the Hatcher era really begins this season.
Citadel offense vs. GSU defense
Only Wofford did a better job against the Bulldogs' spread-option last year than did the Eagles, limiting The Citadel to 358 yards in a 21-17 GSU win in Statesboro. But Citadel QB Duran Lawson was having a fine day (109 rushing yards, 14 of 26 for 153 yards and two scores) before suffering a season-ending knee injury late in the fourth quarter, perhaps forestalling a Citadel comeback.
GSU has nine starters back on a defense that was not great by Eagles standards, allowing 31.6 ppg and 404.6 ypg. DE Larry Beard anchors a 3-main front that Hatcher says must play better this season. The linebackers are an average bunch, with not even a second-team preseason all-SoCon pick among them, and Hatcher is looking for freshmen to make an impact at outside linebacker.
The secondary has two preseason all-SoCon picks in cornerback Carson Hill and rover Chris Covington, a converted runnnig back. The Eagles use a "rover" and "bandit" along with two corners and a free safety. CB Hill and bandit Ronnie Wiggins sat out the spring with injuries, and freshmen will be counted on again for depth.
Citadel defense vs. GSU offense
With Foster gone, GSU's "Hatch Attack" should more closely resemble the pass-happy schemes Hatcher ran at Valdosta State. Redshirt freshman Lee Chapple won the starting job out of spring practice, but that was before 6-4, 235-pound Antonio Henton transferred in from Ohio State. Hatcher insists that Henton starts out at the bottom of the depth chart, but you can bet the Georgia native will get every chance to earn the starting job. He didn't transfer in to sit on the bench.
Still, Henton can't be as fast as Jayson Foster, who ran for TDs of 15 and 80 yards in the fourth quarter to beat the Bulldogs last season. GSU has huge holes to fill at running back, with Zeke Rozier coming off a knee injury. Ricky Ponton transferred in from South Florida, and Darell Norman from Alabama-Birmingham, and freshmen will get a look here, as well. The WR corps includes five seniors.
Without Foster's game-breaking abilities, it will be interesting to see how the "Hatch Attack" evolves this season.
The Crystal Ball
The Bulldogs played three quarters of beautiful defense against GSU last season, only to see Foster get loose twice in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs' offense will score enough points this time to prevent another Eagles comeback.
Prediction: The Citadel 28, GSU 24