Helmets and pads will clash this weekend as the Eagles of Georgia Southern University and Howard University meet for the first time at Allen E. Paulson Stadium for GSU’s Homecoming game.

Although GSU has played Historically Black College and University teams within the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference like South Carolina State University, the Eagles have yet to compete against the Bison. Teams from these two conferences rarely schedule to play each other for regular season play.

“This is a very big game for us because Howard is a very good team, and I was impressed when watching their film. They are in the same boat we are as far as trying to get into the playoffs,” head coach Jeff Monken said.

“Howard is a really good school with a very rich tradition, very athletic and athletic team,” redshirt junior defensive end Terico Agnew said.

Since playing another Southern Conference team is out of the question, except the possibility of the playoffs, GSU now has the opportunity to improve their record to help secure a placement for post-season play. In order to accomplish this task, the Eagles will have to make sure that they stay on top of their game and play more efficiently than their efforts against Appalachian State University.

“Our kids practiced hard, and we are going to have to get ready for this weekend. I think our team has improved, but I don’t think we have played as well as we are capable of playing,” Monken said.

Going into this game for the first time, members of the Eagle squad have to pay attention to specific details about their upcoming opponents.

“We have to be able to improve and score in the red zone, finish drives and score enough for our defense to breathe,” junior quarterback Jerick McKinnon said.

“There is no ‘I’ in team, and we just need to focus on our assignments and make sure we read our keys,” Agnew said.

This competition, the Eagles will face an opponent who houses an All-American linebacker Keith Pough who comes with a total of 60 tackles and three and a half sacks on the season.

McKinnon said, “They have a good linebacker and a safety we have to keep our eye on.”