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David Coulson

Georgia Southern @ Delaware

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dcoulson
, 12-18-2010 at 11:04 AM (4400 Views)
NEWARK, De. — The question on everyone from Georgia Southern's on Saturday was the weather forecast for the Eagles' NCAA Division I Football Championship semifinal game with Delaware.

Two days ago, this region received snow and temperatures have hovered in the 20s for much of the week. Not exactly the kind of forecast for a team like GSU that runs the triple option.

But as we head towards the noon kickoff here, the temperatures have warmed from 28 an hour ago to 33 on this sunny day, with an expected high of 35. Not exactly south Georgia heat, but still warm enough for the Eagles tradition-shrouded attack.

Delaware has long enjoyed a significant home-field advantage at Tubby Raymond Field and will have no problem with the weather. But the Blue Hens thus far have a disappointing crowd, with plenty of empty seats in a venue that is used to 20,000 fans.

The No. 3-seeded Blue Hens (11-2) expected to be here after going 9-2 in the regular season and winning a share of the Colonial Athletic Association championship.

Georgia Southern has a championship pedigree as long as Delaware's, but the Eagles hadn't been to the playoffs in five years since AD Sam Baker junked the triple option for a pair of unsuccessful coaches.

But GSU went back to its roots under Jeff Monken this year and have won six straight games, including three in a row in the playoffs, to go from 4-4 to 9-4 and a shot at the national championship game with one more victory.

With the constrast of styles and the rich traditions of the two teams, this should be a great game.

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  1. dcoulson's Avatar
    Three and out for Delaware on its first series.
  2. dcoulson's Avatar
    Some wrinkles right off the bat for Georgia Southern, with a pass on first down and the wishbone for 15 yards on the second play, followed by a 22-yard run to the Delaware 34.
  3. dcoulson's Avatar
    J.J. Wilcox fumbled a pitch at the 27, but recovered to avoid a turnover.
  4. dcoulson's Avatar
    First and goal at the eight for GSU.
  5. dcoulson's Avatar
    On third and goal from the one, Jaybo Shaw appeared to fumble the snap. The ball bounced into the end zone and was returned 18 yards by defensive end Chris Morales. Big stop for the Blue Hens.
  6. dcoulson's Avatar
    A nice throw and catch from Pat Devlin to Nihja White is under review.
  7. dcoulson's Avatar
    The review confirmed the call.
  8. dcoulson's Avatar
    Three and out again for the Blue Hens.
  9. dcoulson's Avatar
    The second series for GSU ended on a three and out when Trey Butler dropped a first-down pass.
  10. dcoulson's Avatar
    Delaware has used the running game to string together some first downs to the Eagle 49.
  11. dcoulson's Avatar
    Delaware has driven to the GSU 28 as the first quarter comes to an end in the scoreless game.
  12. dcoulson's Avatar
    A great pass break up by Laron Scott forces a third and 10 for Delaware at the 28. But GSU safety Derek Heyden is called for a personal foul on the next pass play.
  13. Chuck B.'s Avatar
    Finally some movement of the ball!
  14. dcoulson's Avatar
    Delaware went 16 plays and 85 yards in 7:42 with Pat Devlin looking around and finally finding Mark Schenauer for a six-yard TD pass on third down. With 13:29 left in the second quarter, Delaware leads 7-0. The Blue Hens are 11-0 this season when scoring first and have won 15 of the last 16 times when scoring first.
  15. dcoulson's Avatar
    Georgia Southern moved the ball on its first drive, Chuck, just fumbled it away at the one.
  16. Chuck B.'s Avatar
    Key for the Blue Hens would be a stop of GSU on this drive. If they can and even get a FG out of it, that would put real pressure on the Eagles to come from behind.
  17. dcoulson's Avatar
    Delaware seems to have adjusted to the speed of the Georgia Southern option. After one first down, the Eagles have to punt with 10:45 left in the first half.
  18. Chuck B.'s Avatar
    Nice job finding Schenauer on 3rd down and 13 by Devlin. I keep marvelling about how the Hen offense manages to convert those third downs and keep the sticks moving.
  19. Chuck B.'s Avatar
    3rd and 10, Devlin overthrows Jones for the first down. The Eagles really needed that stop.
  20. Chuck B.'s Avatar
    GSU starting to grind out some yards in the triple option. Anthony Walters just drilled Jabo Shaw on second down.
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