The Georgia Southern Eagles football program was founded in 1924. The Eagles played their first game on September 27, 1924, against Mercer University, winning 27-0.
The Eagles had a successful early history, winning four Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships in the 1930s. However, the program was suspended for World War II and did not return until 1981.
The Eagles joined the NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) in 1981. They quickly became one of the top teams in the division, winning six national championships between 1985 and 2000. The Eagles also won 10 Southern Conference championships during this period.
The Eagles moved to NCAA Division I FBS (now FBS) in 2014. They have had some success in FBS, winning a Sun Belt Conference championship in 2014. However, they have not yet been able to replicate their success in FCS.
The Georgia Southern football program has a rich history and tradition. The Eagles have won six national championships, more than any other team in FCS history. They are also one of the most successful programs in the Sun Belt Conference. The Eagles are a proud member of the Georgia Southern University community and are always a contender for championships.
Here are some of the most notable moments in Georgia Southern football history:
Winning six national championships (1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1999, and 2000)
Defeating Florida State in 2014, the first win over a Power 5 opponent in school history.
GSU players that made it in the NFL include Matt Breida, Younghoe Koo, J.J. Wilcox, Antwione Williams, Fed Stokes, and Jerick McKinnon
The origin of the mascot is a roller coaster ride. Though currently called the Eagles. However, the school has gone by a number of different nicknames. From as early as 1907 the teams of the then First District A&M school were referred to as the Culture to reflect the agricultural background of the school.[25] From 1924 to 1941, the nickname was the Blue Tide. After World War II, athletic teams were referred to as the Professors reflecting the school's status as a teacher-training college. However, in 1959 when the school was renamed Georgia Southern College, a student vote was held to determine the new mascot; among the 104 entries, voters chose Eagles over Colonels by a narrow margin.
