1. Tyler Hagan vs Georgia Southern defense

The defense for Georgia Southern will have their hands full playing against Savannah State’s Tight End Tyler Hagan. Hagan is 6’7 and can create matchup issues against the GS linebackers and safeties. There is a good chance that the new transfer Outside Linebacker Ukeme Eligwe can see a few matchups against Hagan. Eligwe stands at 6’2, but his athleticism can help him in coverage against a taller receiver.

2. Darius Jones Jr. vs Arshon Spaulding Jr.

This has the potential to be the most interesting matchup of the game. Darius Jones Jr is a senior Cornerback and may see a lot of action against the Tigers most dynamic offensive threat Arshon Spaulding Jr. Jones saw a lot of action in the nickel spot last season starting 9 of 13 games and this will be his first season as the Eagle’s number one cornerback. On the other side of the ball, Spauldig led SSU in total offensive with 1,081 yards and five touchdowns.

3. Three headed monster vs SSU defense

In the triple option offense, it is a coach’s dream to have two solid running backs. That must mean three solid running backs makes every game a match made in heaven. The Eagles are going into the game with a running game led by senior Matt Breida, senior L. A. Ramsby, and sophomore Wesley Fields. Each running back brings something different to the field and will be a matchup nightmare for SSU and other teams throughout the season.

4. Tyson Summers vs Erik Raeburn

Summers and Raeburn are both coaching their first game with their new teams. Summers is entering his first season as the head coach for the Georgia Southern Eagles after a one-year stint as a defensive coach for the Eagles back in 2006. Summers returned home from Colorado State in the Spring a few weeks before national signing day. Raeburn was selected as the Tigers head coach back in March. Raeburn is coming up from the Division III ranks where he has been a proven winner. At Wabash College, Raeburn posted a 78-13 record in eight seasons.

5. 12th man vs Savannah State

GS is 10-0 against SSU when playing in Paulson Stadium. The Eagles have won the past 11 matchups against the Tigers with the most recent victory being an 83-9 win back in 2014. The GS 2013 77-9 victory vs SSU has been vacated due to the sanctions placed on the team because of ineligibility.

*All Stats and records come from Meacsports, GSAthletics, and SSUAthletics.