What Is 2014 Georgia Southern Eagles football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 Georgia Southern Eagles football team represented Georgia Southern University in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS season, finishing with a 9-3 record and winning the New Orleans Bowl 23-20 over Bowling Green. It was their first season competing at the FBS level after transitioning from FCS.

Key Facts

The 2014 Georgia Southern Eagles finished with a 9-3 overall record and 6-2 in Sun Belt Conference play.
They won the 2014 New Orleans Bowl 23-20 against the Bowling Green Falcons on December 20, 2014.
This was Georgia Southern’s first season competing in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
Head coach Willie Fritz led the team in his first year, replacing Jeff Monken.
The Eagles averaged 35.6 points per game and rushed for 3,842 yards during the season.

Overview

The 2014 Georgia Southern Eagles football team marked a historic milestone as the program's inaugural season competing at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level. After moving up from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), where they won the 2013 FCS National Championship, the Eagles joined the Sun Belt Conference and immediately made an impact.

Under first-year head coach Willie Fritz, the team adapted quickly to the higher level of competition, finishing with a 9-3 overall record and a 6-2 mark in conference play. Their season culminated in a thrilling 23-20 victory over Bowling Green in the New Orleans Bowl, solidifying their successful transition to FBS football.

First FBS season: The 2014 campaign was Georgia Southern’s debut at the FBS level after moving from FCS, marking a major step in program history.
New Orleans Bowl victory: The Eagles defeated the Bowling Green Falcons 23-20 on December 20, 2014, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Offensive strength: Georgia Southern averaged 35.6 points per game and led the Sun Belt in rushing with 3,842 yards on 654 attempts (5.9 yards per carry).
Quarterback leadership: Quarterback Kevin Ellison started 10 games and rushed for 834 yards and 10 touchdowns, anchoring the team’s triple-option offense.
Defensive performance: The defense allowed 24.8 points per game and forced 20 takeaways, including 12 interceptions and 8 fumble recoveries.

Season Performance

The 2014 season showcased Georgia Southern’s resilience and adaptability as they faced stronger competition across the board. Despite being new to FBS, the Eagles demonstrated consistency, winning six of their final seven games, including their bowl victory.

September 6, 2014: The Eagles opened their FBS era with a 35-27 win over NC State, a Power Five team, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Conference play: Georgia Southern won six of eight Sun Belt games, defeating teams like Louisiana-Lafayette and Idaho to finish second in the conference standings.
Rushing dominance: The team ranked second nationally in rushing yards per game (349.3), showcasing their signature triple-option attack.
Home field advantage: Playing at Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia, the Eagles went 5-1 at home, including a 45-21 win over South Alabama.
Bowl eligibility: With a 6-6 record required for bowl consideration, Georgia Southern secured their spot early and improved to 9-3 with their bowl win.
Player recognition: Linebacker Edwin Epps earned First Team All-Sun Belt honors after recording 97 tackles and 3.5 sacks during the season.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2014 season to previous years highlights Georgia Southern’s successful transition to FBS football.

Season	Record	Conference	Bowl Game	Key Stat
2014	9-3	Sun Belt	New Orleans Bowl (W 23-20)	3,842 rushing yards
2013	11-3	Southern Conference (FCS)	FCS National Champion	4,135 rushing yards
2012	9-3	Southern Conference (FCS)	No bowl (FCS playoffs)	3,945 rushing yards
2011	8-4	Southern Conference (FCS)	Lost in FCS quarterfinals	3,657 rushing yards
2010	6-5	Southern Conference (FCS)	No postseason	3,120 rushing yards

The table shows that while the Eagles slightly reduced their rushing output in 2014 compared to their FCS peak, they maintained a dominant ground game and achieved greater national exposure by winning a bowl game at the FBS level. The 2014 season was a testament to their ability to compete despite the increased competition and schedule demands of FBS football.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season was pivotal for Georgia Southern, establishing the program as a credible FBS competitor and laying the foundation for future success. It demonstrated that a team could successfully transition from FCS to FBS and immediately contend.

Program growth: Moving to FBS increased scholarship availability, recruiting reach, and national visibility for Georgia Southern athletics.
Financial benefits: Bowl game revenue and enhanced media exposure provided significant financial gains for the athletic department.
Recruiting boost: Success in 2014 helped attract higher-caliber recruits eager to play at the FBS level.
Conference realignment: The Sun Belt benefited from Georgia Southern’s strong performance, enhancing the conference’s reputation.
Legacy impact: The 2014 team is remembered as the first to bring FBS bowl victory to the school, creating lasting pride.
Model for transition: Other FCS programs cite Georgia Southern’s 2014 season as a blueprint for successful FBS elevation.

Overall, the 2014 Georgia Southern Eagles football team not only achieved on-field success but also transformed the trajectory of the program, proving that strategic planning and strong leadership can enable rapid adaptation to higher levels of college football competition.