What Is 2006 Georgia Southern Eagles football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2006 Georgia Southern Eagles football team represented Georgia Southern University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), finishing the season with an 11-3 record and winning the Southern Conference with a 7-1 mark. They advanced to the FCS semifinals before losing to eventual champion Appalachian State.

Key Facts

The 2006 Georgia Southern Eagles finished with an 11-3 overall record
They won the Southern Conference with a 7-1 conference record
Head coach Mike Sewak was in his sixth season leading the team
The Eagles defeated New Hampshire and Richmond to reach the FCS semifinals
Appalachian State defeated Georgia Southern 28-17 in the semifinals on December 15, 2006

Overview

The 2006 Georgia Southern Eagles football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Southern Conference. Under head coach Mike Sewak, who was in his sixth season, the team achieved significant success, finishing with an 11-3 overall record and a dominant 7-1 conference performance.

The Eagles were known for their powerful running game and strong defense, hallmarks of Georgia Southern’s football tradition. Their season culminated in a deep playoff run, ultimately falling in the national semifinals to Appalachian State, who would go on to win the national title.

Record: The team finished with an 11-3 overall record and a 7-1 mark in Southern Conference play, securing the conference title outright.
Head Coach:Mike Sewak, in his sixth year, led the program with a focus on disciplined, run-oriented football and strong special teams.
Playoff Run: The Eagles advanced to the FCS semifinals, defeating New Hampshire in the quarterfinals and Richmond in the semifinal qualifier.
Key Loss: They were defeated 28-17 by Appalachian State on December 15, 2006, ending their national title hopes.
Offensive Identity: Georgia Southern averaged 278 rushing yards per game, reflecting their triple-option offense philosophy.

How It Works

The 2006 Georgia Southern Eagles operated under a triple-option offensive scheme, a hallmark of their program that emphasized ball control and disciplined execution. This system required precise quarterback decision-making and a deep roster of versatile running backs.

Triple-Option Offense: A run-heavy scheme where the quarterback reads a defensive end to decide whether to keep the ball, hand off, or pitch—used to control clock and limit turnovers.
Quarterback Role:Jayson Davis and Chris Waters shared time, combining for over 1,800 total offensive yards and 18 touchdowns.
Running Back Depth: The Eagles rotated multiple backs, led by Willie Jackson with 847 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Defensive Strategy: The defense used a 3-4 alignment, allowing flexibility against both run and pass, finishing ranked in the top 10 nationally in fewest yards allowed per game.
Special Teams: Kicker Brandon Spangler made 10 of 14 field goals, providing reliable scoring in close games.
Recruiting Pipeline: The team relied heavily on in-state Georgia talent, particularly from smaller high schools emphasizing physical play and discipline.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2006 Georgia Southern Eagles compared closely with other top FCS programs in performance and style. The table below highlights key statistical comparisons with national champion Appalachian State and semifinalist Richmond.

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Playoff Result	Rushing YPG
Georgia Southern	11-3	7-1 (SoCon)	Semifinals	278.2
Appalachian State	13-2	7-1 (SoCon)	Champions	285.6
Richmond	11-3	6-2 (CAA)	Semifinals	189.4
New Hampshire	10-4	6-2 (CAA)	Quarterfinals	201.7
Montana	9-4	6-2 (Big Sky)	Quarterfinals	220.1

The data shows Georgia Southern’s rushing dominance and playoff success placed them among the elite FCS teams. Their loss to Appalachian State was narrow, and both teams shared similar offensive profiles. The Eagles’ consistency in the Southern Conference and postseason validated their status as a national contender.

Why It Matters

The 2006 season was significant for Georgia Southern as it reinforced their reputation as a powerhouse in FCS football. Despite falling short of a title, their performance underscored the program’s ability to compete at the highest level of the subdivision.

Program Prestige: The deep playoff run enhanced Georgia Southern’s national profile and helped in recruiting elite FCS-level talent.
Conference Dominance: Winning the Southern Conference with a 7-1 record demonstrated sustained excellence against regional rivals.
Player Development: Several players earned All-American honors, including linebacker Adrian Peterson, who later signed with the NFL.
Coaching Legacy: Mike Sewak’s leadership during this period solidified his role in the program’s history before stepping down in 2007.
Transition Indicator: This season highlighted the competitiveness of FCS programs, even as discussions about moving to FBS began to emerge.
Historical Benchmark: The 11-win season remains one of the most successful in the program’s modern era, often referenced in team retrospectives.

The 2006 Georgia Southern Eagles exemplified the strength of small-college football, combining tradition, disciplined play, and postseason success. Their legacy endures in the annals of FCS history.