NEW ORLEANS — Following a fifth bowl appearance over the past six seasons, Georgia Southern will commence its 2024 campaign on Saturday, August 31, when it hosts Boise State at 4:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. CT on ESPNU. 
 
The Eagles and Broncos have never met on the gridiron. 
 
Georgia Southern’s non-conference schedule also includes trips to Nevada (Sept. 7) and Ole Miss (Sept. 21), around a home contest against South Carolina State (Sept. 14). Along with annual dates against its East Division foes, the Eagles’ conference slate features a visit from South Alabama (Nov. 2) and a trip to two-time defending Sun Belt champion Troy (Nov. 16) out of the West Division. 
 
The Eagles were picked to finish fourth in the Sun Belt East Division in last month’s 2024 Sun Belt Conference Football Preseason Coaches Poll. 
 
Third-year head coach Clay Helton will lead a roster that returns five All-Sun Belt picks from 2023 and had a conference-best nine players named to the 2024 Preseason All-Sun Belt teams. Key returners for Georgia Southern include its leading rusher—fifth-year running back Jalen White (889 yards, 9 touchdowns)—and leading tackler—redshirt senior linebacker Marques Watson-Trent (122 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss)—from a year ago. 
 
The Eagles are coming off a 6-7 season in 2023, in which they were a part of the conference-record 12-team Sun Belt contingent to compete in Bowl Season. 
 
Georgia Southern has earned a bowl berth in five of the past six seasons—including both campaigns under head coach Clay Helton. 
 
To listen to head coach Clay Helton, fifth-year running back Jalen White and redshirt senior defensive back TJ Smith’s comments from the 2024 Sun Belt Football Media Days, visit the Sun Belt Conference YouTube page. 
 


2024 SCHEDULE

8/31	Boise State
9/7	at Nevada
9/14	South Carolina State
9/21	at Ole Miss
9/28	at Georgia State*
10/12	Marshall*
10/19	James Madison*
10/24	at Old Dominion*
11/2	at South Alabama*
11/16	Troy*
11/23	at Coastal Carolina*
11/30	App State*

* Sun Belt Conference Game 
 
2023 ALL-SUN BELT RETURNERS
First Team
LB – Marques Watson-Trent, Georgia Southern (RS Sr., LB – Pittsburgh, Pa.) 
 
Third Team
RB – Jalen White, Georgia Southern (5th Yr., RB – Daleville, Ala.)
DL – Isaac Walker, Georgia Southern (RS Jr., DL – Greensboro, N.C.)
 
Honorable Mention
WR – Derwin Burgess Jr., Georgia Southern (Sr., WR – Riverdale, Ga.) 
DB – TJ Smith, Georgia Southern (RS Sr., DB – Atlanta, Ga.) 
 
2024 PRESEASON ALL-SUN BELT SELECTIONS
First Team
RB – Jalen White, Georgia Southern (5th Yr., RB – Daleville, Ala.) 
WR – Derwin Burgess Jr., Georgia Southern (Sr., WR – Riverdale, Ga.) 
DL – Justin Rhodes, Georgia Southern (5th Yr., DL – Durham, N.C.)
DL – Isaac Walker, Georgia Southern (RS Jr., DL – Greensboro, N.C.)
LB – Marques Watson-Trent, Georgia Southern (RS Sr., LB – Pittsburgh, Pa.)
 
Second Team
OL – Chandler Strong, Georgia Southern (RS So., OL – Warner Robins, Ga.) 
OL – Pichon Wimbley, Georgia Southern (Jr., OL – Newnan, Ga.) 
DB – TJ Smith, Georgia Southern (RS Sr., DB – Atlanta, Ga.) 
RS – DeAndre Buchannon, Georgia Southern (So., RS – Atlanta, Ga.)