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STATESBORO — Perhaps Clay Helton could have a honeymoon interval in any case.
The brand new head coach of Georgia Southern had a grand opening recreation because the host Eagles dominated Morgan State, an FCS program, 59-7 on Saturday evening at Paulson Stadium.
Some key takeaways from the daybreak of the Clay Helton Period, with the Eagles having fun with an evening full of highlights within the season opener for each groups.
Recap:Georgia State routs Morgan State 59-7 in season opener
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‘We wish to be a nationwide program’:Listed here are Clay Helton’s aspirations for Georgia Southern
Kyle Vantrease is armed and harmful
The Georgia Southern offense was as marketed, as soon as the Eagles acquired previous a shaky three-and-out on their first possession. They acquired their timing down whereas striving to push the Bears protection’s stamina with a quick tempo.
Kyle Vantrease, a sixth-year switch from the College of Buffalo, made his debut for the Eagles and have become the sixth 300-yard passer in Georgia Southern historical past.
Now, the Eagles’ historical past is filled with working quarterbacks in a run-heavy offensive scheme. It is a new playbook in Statesboro, with Vantrease heating up as the sport progressed.
He completed with a 159.4 passer ranking, finishing 29 of 46 passes (67%) for 4 touchdowns — tying a college file. Even his one interception, whereas getting hit, was a accomplished cross, returned 50 yards for a landing for the Bears’ Jordan Toles within the second quarter.
He’d like that one again, little doubt, however the remainder of the evening was a keeper.
Gamers – like Jeremy Singleton and O.J. Arnold – make performs
Kyle Vantrease labored in tight home windows, attempting to put passes the place solely his receivers may seize them, or no one may (in idea).
Elevating the suitable stage of threat on Saturday paid off extra typically than it value Vantrease and the Eagles, who’ve a slew of receivers assured they will make the particular performs routine.
He related on the second drive of the sport with slot again Khaleb Hood and tight finish Beau Johnson, who every made good grabs, however the drive stalled.
The primary huge play of the sport for the Eagles was Vantrease’s 28-yard sideline connection to senior switch Jeremy Singleton close to the shut of the primary quarter. The drive continued within the subsequent interval, and Vantrease discovered a brand new goal in slotback Sam Kenerson, who slashed by means of defenders for a 17-yard pickup.
The staff was rewarded with some excellent fortune, as on third-and-goal from the 4, Vantrease compelled a cross into tight protection in the long run zone, the place slotback Khaleb Hood was lined by Kaleb Coleman. The cross deflected backward to true freshman working again O.J. Arnold, who had circled out of the backfield and pounced to get beneath the rebound for an unconventional however official landing cross with 12:20 left earlier than halftime.
Vantrease’s subsequent scoring toss was by comparion a factor of magnificence. On third-and-seven from the 12, Vantrease lofted a cross to the again proper nook, the place Derwin Burgess Jr. stretched out and gathered inte ball with one hand. Burgess, a sophomore who has been making acrobatic catches for 2 seasons in observe and in some video games, registered his second profession landing catch.
It appeared solely a matter of time till one other receiver would step up. Amongst those that did was Singleton, who went to the left entrance flag on second-and-2 from the Morgan State 8. Vantrease saved him in his sights and fired the ball right into a small area the place Singleton, like a baseball participant, gave him a goal and caught the rocket cross for a landing with 12:47 left in regulation for a 45-7 lead.
The protection by no means rests for Georgia Southern
Morgan State hung round by means of the primary half however the Bears not often challenged on offense and didn’t rating, because the protection accounted for his or her solely factors.
Inside linebacker Todd Bradley-Glenn, in his seventh yr with this system after overcoming one adversity after one other, made a triumphant return and led the protection with six tackles.
Interceptions have been recorded by Tyler Bride, Isaac Walker and Jalen Denton (previously of Ole Miss), the latter one of many key transfers that has bolstered the defensive backfield.
Morgan State completed with 250 whole yards, 78 by means of the air and 172 on the bottom in a troublesome debut for brand new head coach Damon Wilson.
Georgia Southern had twice as many yards with 500, 367 by passing, 133 on the bottom. GS had extra performs, 77-59, and created extra turnovers, 4-1.
Easy day for particular groups
The Eagles’ particular groups models have been stable all through the evening, together with particular groups ace Najee Thompson snagging teammate Anthony Beck II’s punt on the fly on the Morgan State 3 within the third quarter.
The battle for field-goal kicking duties was received this week by incumbent Alex Raynor, who made a 20-yard subject objective and was 8-of-8 on additional factors.
Nathan Dominitz is the Sports activities Content material Editor of the Savannah Morning Information and savannahnow.com. E-mail him at ndominitz@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @NathanDominitz
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