The 2022 Georgia Southern Eagles football team represented Georgia Southern University during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Eagles played their home games at Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia, and competed in the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference. The team was coached by Clay Helton, former head coach of the USC Trojans. Helton was hired on November 2, 2021, and this was his first season in Statesboro.
The team's statistical leaders include quarterback Kyle Vantrease.
Preseason
Recruiting class
Source:
Media poll The Sun Belt media days were held on July 25 and July 26. The Eagles were predicted to finish in fifth place in the Sun Belt's East Division. Georgia Southern also received 1-of-14 first place votes.
Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference teams
Defense
2nd team Justin ellis – Defensive Lineman, 6th YR Derrick canteen – Defensive Back, RS-JR
Special teams
2nd team Anthony beck ii – Punter, RS-SR Amare jones – All Purpose Back, 5th YR
Personnel
Schedule All conference games were announced March 1, 2022.
Game summaries
Morgan State
At Nebraska
Statistics GASO NEB First downs 34 33 Total yards 642 575 Rushes/yards 30–233 47–257 Passing yards 409 318 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 37–56–2 23–34–0 Time of possession 28:04 31:56 Team Category Player StatisticsGeorgia Southern Passing Kyle Vantrease 37/56, 409 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Gerald Green 10 carries, 132 yards, 2 TD Receiving Derwin Burgess Jr. 12 receptions, 119 yardsNebraska Passing Casey Thompson 23/34, 318 yards, TD Rushing Anthony Grant 27 carries, 138 yards, TD Receiving Marcus Washington 6 receptions, 123 yards
At UAB
Statistics GASOUAB First downs 23 21 Total yards 418 413 Rushing yards 214 288 Passing yards 204 125 Turnovers 3 0 Time of possession 28:14 31:46
Team Category Player StatisticsGeorgia Southern Passing Kyle Vantrease 24/50, 204 yards, TD, 3 INT Rushing Jalen White 14 rushes, 116 yards, 2 TD Receiving Derwin Burgess Jr. 4 receptions, 48 yards, TDUAB Passing Dylan Hopkins 12/19, 125 yards, TD Rushing DeWayne McBride 28 rushes, 223 yards, 4 TD Receiving Ryan Davis 1 reception, 36 yards
Ball State
At Coastal Carolina
At Georgia State
No. 25 James Madison
At Old Dominion
Statistics Statistics GSODU First downs 25 18 Total yards 415 446 Rushing yards 223 133 Passing yards 192 313 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 34:33 25:27 Team Category Player StatisticsGeorgia Southern Passing Kyle Vantrease 22/27, 192 yards, TD Rushing Jalen White 30 rushes, 138 yards, TD Receiving Amare Jones 5 receptions, 54 yards, TDOld Dominion Passing Hayden Wolff 23/40, 313 yards, TD Rushing Blake Watson 16 rushes, 108 yards, TD Receiving Ali Jennings III 9 receptions, 130 yards, TD
South Alabama
At Louisiana
Statistics Georgia SouthernLouisiana First downs 24 22 Total yards 430 435 Rushing yards 72 242 Passing yards 358 193 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 28:18 31:42
Team Category Player StatisticsGeorgia Southern Passing Kyle Vantrease 28/49, 325 yards, 1 TD Rushing Gerald Green 10 carries, 44 yards Receiving Derwin Burgess Jr. 5 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TDLouisiana Passing Ben Wooldridge 17/31, 193 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT Rushing Chris Smith 17 carries, 80 yards Receiving Michael Jefferson 3 receptions, 53 yards, 1 TD
Marshall
Appalachian State
Statistics Statistics APPGASO First downs 25 27 Total yards 629 487 Rushing yards 376 102 Passing yards 253 385 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 32:33 27:27 Team Category Player StatisticsAppalachian State Passing Chase Brice 15/26, 253 yards Rushing Nate Noel 12 carries, 171 yards, 3 TD Receiving Christian Horn 2 receptions, 55 yardsGeorgia Southern Passing Kyle Vantrease 34/51, 385 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT Rushing AJ Brown 14 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD Receiving Jeremy Singleton 10 receptions, 133 yards
Vs. Buffalo (Camellia Bowl)
Staff Clay Helton Head coach 1stKevin Whitley Assistant head coach/Cornerbacks Coach 1st (4th overall) Bryan Ellis Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach 1st Will Harris Defensive coordinator/Secondary Coach 1st Ryan Aplin Pass Game Coordinator/Tight Ends/Inside Receivers coach 1st Marcus Davis Wide receivers coach 1st Matt Merritt Running Backs Coach 1st Richard Owens Run Game Coordinator/ offensive line coach 1st Rip Rowan Defensive Line Coach 1st Aaron Schwanz Linebackers coach 1st Turner West Special Teams Coordinator 1st Robert Stiner Head Strength & Conditioning Coach 1st
References