Georgia Southern to face Texas State in playoffs

STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern Eagles know where they'd like to end up.

They're just not sure where they're going.

Indifference replaced nervous tension Sunday when the Eagles learned they would travel to fourth-seeded Texas State on Saturday for the first round of the Division I-AA playoffs.

The Eagles were nearly emotionless during their gathering in the Lupton Building at Paulson Stadium for the nationally televised selection show. Most players left before the bracket was filled.

For the Eagles, two questions came to mind. Where's Texas State - "Texas is a big state," one player said - and why was Georgia Southern going on the road?

"I guess we've become spoiled," Georgia Southern safety A.J. Bryant said. "Nothing against playing in Texas, but we always want to play every game in Paulson Stadium."

This time, however, the Eagles will have to be satisfied with just getting one of the 16 spots in the playoff field. They finished with an 8-3 record during the regular season after starting 1-2.

So Georgia Southern will make its third plane trip this season - this time to San Marcos, Texas, about 50 miles from San Antonio.

Texas State (9-2) made the playoffs as an at-large team after sharing the Southland Conference title with Nicholls State.

The winner of the Texas State-Georgia Southern game will meet the winner between Cal Poly and Montana in the quarterfinals.

Lurking on the Eagles' side of the bracket is top-ranked New Hampshire, the team that ousted the Georgia Southern from the playoffs last season.

The championship game will be held in Chattanooga on Friday, Dec. 16.

"There's a lot of talk about tradition around here. Well, this starts our tradition," Eagles coach Mike Sewak said.

It's the 16th playoff appearance for the Eagles, who have won six I-AA national championships and advanced to two other title games.

But Georgia Southern players haven't played a true road playoff game since Dec. 9, 2000 at Delaware - a 27-18 victory.

The only time the Eagles have been away from home in the first round of the playoffs occurred Nov. 25, 1995, when they upset unbeaten Troy State, 24-21.

"This team has had to reach down and find out how good it could be," Sewak said. "The national champion always finds a way to win."