Eagles and App Renew Rivalry
The Georgia Southern football team holds a 3-5 overall record and is 1-3 in Sun Belt Conference play. After a 34-24 loss to Arkansas State, the Eagles head to Boone, North Carolina, for a Thursday night game against Appalachian State, who stand at 4-4 overall and also 1-3 in conference.
This matchup intensifies the annual rivalry between the Eagles and Mountaineers. However, the Eagles face pressure to secure wins in at least three of their last four games to qualify for a bowl game.
Coach Clay Helton Addresses Team and Fans
“I know that Eagle Nation is disappointed and angry. Any time you lose two hard-fought games that take you out of contention for a conference title that is not who we are and that is not our standard at Georgia Southern. It is not acceptable and it never will be. To Eagle Nation, I say I am sorry. It is my job to make sure that doesn’t happen and I own that. The energy I have going forward is to improve that on the immediate front with us improving this week. The other area is big-picture wise and I will address any areas we may have with our athletic director Chris Davis and our president Kyle Marrero after the season.”
Helton emphasized accountability for the recent setbacks and expressed his commitment to turning the team’s fortunes around.
Upcoming Challenges
- The Eagles must win most of their remaining games to reach bowl eligibility.
- The rivalry game against Appalachian State will be crucial for the season’s momentum.
Coach Helton's message includes plans for both short-term improvement and long-term evaluation within the athletic department after the season.
Author's summary: Georgia Southern football faces a pivotal rivalry game amid a challenging season, with coach Clay Helton taking full responsibility and focusing on immediate and long-term solutions.