Eagles escape Louisiana with a close win

After a fast start, Eagles nearly let the Warhawks come back

DJ Cadden, Sports Correspondent

MONROE, LA After a brutal loss last week to Louisiana, many Eagle fans expected Louisiana-Monroe to be a much easier game for Chad Lunsford’s team.

At first, it looked like this would be the case as the Eagles jumped out to a 14-3 lead. However, the Warhawks would not go away and just kept chipping away at Georgia Southern every time the lead grew.

From the start, it was obvious that Georgia Southern’s focus was on establishing the ground game rather than establishing anything through the air.

The Eagles would only attempt seven passes the entire game with only three completions for a measly 29 yards. However, the ground game would come to the rescue. In the end, the Eagles would rush for 340 of their 369 total yards.

After jumping out to a quick lead, the Eagles would play a great offensive game while still holding onto the lead. However, the defense was less than stellar, allowing 30 points to a Warhawk team that had only 30 in their previous three games combined. 

This lackluster defense would allow Louisiana-Monroe to cut the lead all the way down to five points and gave the Warhawks a chance to win the game with under three minutes remaining.

The Georgia Southern lead would swell to as large as 18 points, however the Warhawks would score two straight touchdowns to cut the lead to just five points. This is when things would get nerve-racking for Eagle fans everywhere.

With just under three minutes remaining, Georgia Southern punted the ball away and Louisiana-Monroe took over at their own 27-yard line. The Warhawks would then drive down the field with ease, creeping into the redzone with just 40 seconds remaining. 

After gaining just 11 yards on the next five plays, the Warhawks were left with 12 seconds and nine yards between their offense and the endzone. On a gusty scramble, Warhawk quarterback Colby Suits would come up less than a yard short of the endzone as the clock hit double zeroes.

Georgia Southern showed yet again that their defense is a glaring weakness so far this season. However, the offense is a force to be reckoned with and will keep the Eagles in almost every game they play.

Lunsford will definitely know what his team needs to work on and will have plenty of time to prep for Appalachian State on October 14.