Eagles Move to Full Pads at Eagle Creek

STATESBORO - With the NCAA-mandated, five-day acclimation period over, the Georgia Southern football squad held its first practice in full pads Tuesday morning on the banks of Beautiful Eagle Creek. For many of the players, it was their first trip on the Yellow School Buses and running across the bridge and that wasn't lost on head coach Clay Helton, who gathered the team for an impassioned speech after stretching.

Even in full pads, the team only went live for a few periods to stay within the NCAA's allowable full contact numbers outside of scrimmages. While several players on both sides of the ball had nice plays, Helton singled out the play of the running back group as a whole after…