For most FCS schools, an upset victory versus an SEC power like University of Florida would usually deem the season a success, but Georgia Southern University is not like most FCS schools.
The Vandals week seven opponent has won six national championships in what was formally known as Division I-AA, but GSU finished 7-4 and failed to qualify for the playoffs in its final FCS season.
Yes, the 26-20 victory over Florida probably warned future Sun Belt foes of the caliber GSU can play at, but the end result of 2013 was probably not how it wanted to exit the FCS.
Not only will Georgia Southern be making the transition into the FBS and Sun Belt, but it’s also going through a coaching change. Jeff Monken, who coached Georgia Southern the previous four seasons, left for the position of head coach at Army.
“That will be a little new,” said Idaho coach Paul Petrino of his Oct. 11 opponent. “They got a brand new coach, so it will be nice by that time of year we will know more about them and know what they’re doing.”
Willie Fritz takes over a Georgia Southern program that has had a predominately run-heavy, triple option offense throughout its history. Fritz said at Sun Belt media day that he plans to throw the ball at least 20 times per game — last season GSU only attempted 102 passes.
After using the triple option for so many years, the offense lacks experienced receivers. To help aid the transition into the spread offense Fritz wants to implement, the coach moved a few of the many running backs GSU had on its roster, over to play receiver or tight end.
Even with the expected growing pains, GSU will still have Kevin Ellison, who is arguably the best duel-threat quarterback in the conference.
As a redshirt freshman last season, the 6-foot, 183-pound quarterback rushed for 886 yards with eight touchdowns and passed for 756 yards with two touchdowns.
Fritz has never coached at the FBS level, but does have a good track record everywhere he’s been. After winning two national championships at Blinn Junior College, Fritz led Central Missouri to its first post-season berth in 32 years. From there Fritz took the job at Sam Houston State, where he led the school to back-to-back national championship title game appearances — but lost both.
“He has been very successful everywhere he’s been,” Petrino said. “All the way back to when I was at Utah State and he was at Blinn Junior College, and I recruited his school … He’s a very good coach and they will be a well coached team.”
The game takes place in Statesboro, Ga., and will be Idaho’s fifth of the first seven games on the road.