Georgia Southern football's offense adjusts, and more takeaways from win at Old Dominion

Georgia Southern turned back the clock all the way to 2021, depending heavily on its running game in a workmanlike 28-23 victory at Old Dominion on Saturday in Norfolk, Virginia.

The Eagles, who have showcased a new, vibrant passing attack this season, improved to 5-3 overall and evened their Sun Belt Conference record at 2-2 after digging a 0-2 hole earlier in the month.

The first Sun Belt road win for the Eagles dropped the Monarchs, who led the East Division when the day started, to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in the SBC.

Here are five takeaways from Saturday for the Eagles, 3-9 a year ago:

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Final: Georgia Southern football holds off Old Dominion to earn conference win on the road

Preview: Sack-happy Old Dominion to test Georgia Southern's blocking, and more to know for Saturday

Teams having flashbacks

It must have seemed like old times for Old Dominion fans seeing Georgia Southern play in Norfolk, Virginia, for the first time since 2012. That's when the Eagles and their run-dominant offense downed the Monarchs 49-35 in the FCS quarterfinals at Ballard Stadium.

Ten years later, Georgia Southern doesn't run a version of the option offense anymore. The Eagles were coming off of their biggest passing game ever, as Kyle Vantrease was 38 of 64 for a record 578 yards against James Madison on Oct. 15. Three receivers each had more than 100 yards in receptions — another program first — in the 45-38 victory.

That was a week ago.

But on Saturday, Georgia Southern was determined to feel out ODU's rushing defense and see if it could establish a running game. After JMU's top-ranked rush defense limited GS to 12 net yards on 16 carries and the in-game strategy shifted to pass heavy, the Eagles went to work against the Monarchs.

On the opening drive, the Eagles ran the ball seven times for 46 yards, and completed one pass to Khaleb Hood for 4 yards. The other plays were a fumbled handoff which Vantrease covered, and a missed 42-yard field-goal attempt.

For the half, GS had 122 yards rushing and 87 passing. Jalen White carried the ball 14 times for 75 yards and one touchdown, while Gerald Green had seven carries for 47 yards.

The Eagles just kept grinding. When the game concluded, Georgia Southern rushed 50 times for 223 yards, a 4.5 average. White had 30 of those carries for 138 yards and one 4-yard touchdown for a 4.6 average. Green rushed 12 times for 91 yards and two second-half scores of 30 and 3 yards for a 7.6 average.

Staying away from sacks

The Old Dominion defense led FBS with 25 sacks in six games but did not have any through the first half. One big reason was fewer opportunities as Georgia Southern attempted only 11 passes in the first half — far from the pace that had the Eagles throwing a team-record 64 times in the victory a week earlier over then-No. 25 James Madison.

Eagles quarterback Vantrease remains adept at quickly getting passes away, and he was patient when the offensive line gave him time and he could go through his progressions and look for receivers on longer pass routes.

He was 8 of 11 for 87 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown pass to the end zone, where Amare Jones made a diving, twisting catch with 10 seconds left in the first quarter.

When the game was over, ODU did not have a sack on 27 GS pass plays. The lone sack of the game was huge, as the Monarchs were down 28-23 and had the ball at their 29 with 32 seconds left. When LJ McCloud and Jalen Jackson swarmed quarterback Hayden Wolff and he had to spike the ball on second down to stop the clock with no timeouts left, the game was all but secured.

Vantrease finished 22 of 27 for 192 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. The 27 attempts and 192 yards were season lows but came in a victory.

Georgia Southern's rushing defense

Old Dominion, coming off a huge rushing game in an upset at Coastal Carolina, tested Georgia Southern's low-rankted run defense from the start.

Star running back Blake Watson used second- and third-effort runs — and some subpar tackling — to gain 95 yards on 11 first-half carries. But the Eagles had tightened up greatly in the second quarter after yielding 82 yards on his first six carries for a 13.7 average in the first quarter.

The Monarchs couldn't get much going in the second half on the ground and finished with 22 carries for 133 yards, a 6.0 average. Watson, so difficult in the first half, was slowed to finish with 16 carries for 108 yards, one touchdown for a 6.8 average.

Quarterback Wolff turned to the pass with the Monarchs trailing and was 23 of 40 for 328 yards and one TD.

His top target was Ali Jennings III, one of the nation's top receivers who finished with nine receptions for 130 yards and one score.

Turnovers, what turnovers?

Neither team had a turnover in the game, no interceptions, no lost fumbles. Old Dominion was one of the better squads in the country with turnover margin (21st, plus-five) but couldn't capitalize on what didn't happen.

There were dicey moments. The Eagles had a fumbled handoff, had a shotgun snap go off of Vantrease's helmet, and a punt snap bounced to punter Anthony Beck II, who had to run with the ball and was tackled deep at the GS 16.

But no turnovers.

Another key statistic was turning the ball over on downs. Georgia Southern was 1 for 3 on fourth down, Old Dominion was 1 for 4.

GS was much better on third down, converting eight of 15 plays, while ODU was limited to 2 of 11. The Monarchs played from behind for the last three quarters and 10 seconds of the first period.

ODU also was hurt by Ethan Sanchez's two missed field goals in the first half of 23 and 24 yards. He also made a 44-yarder in the first half and 35- and 33-yarders in the third quarter.

What's next?

The Eagles players, first-year head coach Clay Helton and his staff will have some extra time to enjoy the victory, as they now have a bye week on the schedule.

When they get back to work, the Eagles have four regular-season games remaining — three at Paulson Stadium.

South Alabama is first up on Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. in Statesboro; then comes a short week and a road trip to Louisiana for a Nov. 10 night game against the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns.

Two home games will remain on Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. against Marshall, and No. 26 against their biggest rival, Appalachian State, at 6 p.m. at Paulson.

The East Division race is far from over. The winner has a berth in the Sun Belt Conference championship game against the West winner.

Nathan Dominitz is the Sports Content Editor of the Savannah Morning News and savannahnow.com. Email him at ndominitz@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @NathanDominitz

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Georgia Southern Eagles defeat Old Dominion Monarchs in Sun Belt game