Hunter enjoying success in fill-in role for Georgia Southern

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Posted 5:11PM on Friday, October 10, 2003

NDATED - When Chaz Williams was named Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year last season, Trey Hunter had to accept he likely would be Georgia Southern's backup quarterback again this season. After all, the top quarterback in a conference doesn't often lose his starting job. But when Williams had arthroscopic knee surgery on Oct. 2, Georgia Southern handed the job to Hunter. In his first start last week, Hunter threw the game-winning, 33-yard touchdown pass to Teddy Craft to beat Florida International, 37-35. As Williams continues to recover from his surgery, Hunter has the starting job for at least another week as Georgia Southern (3-2 overall, 1-1 Southern Conference) plays host to Western Carolina Saturday. Georgia Southern ranks third in I-AA with its average of 324.4 yards rushing per game, but the Eagles need a sound passing attack to balance a weak pass defense. In a 37-35 win over Florida International last week, the teams combined for 1,005 yards in total offense. Georgia Southern has allowed 664 yards passing in its past two games. Hunter passed for 150 yards last week. ``It's a dream come true to be (the starting) quarterback at Georgia Southern,'' Hunter said. ``I'm just taking it stride for stride right now.'' Hunter, a 5-foot-10 junior, almost beat out Williams for the starting job entering the 2002 season. Hunter played well in generating 31 points for the Eagles in less than three quarters of a relief role behind Williams two weeks ago in a win over Chattanooga. Even though the Eagles are winning with Hunter, Williams likely will return to the starting job as soon as he is healthy. In a win over Western Carolina last year, Williams threw for three touchdowns and ran for two scores. Georgia Southern has an eight-game winning streak against Western Carolina, which is coming off a 19-13 loss to Furman. In another key in-state game this week, Albany State (4-2 overall, 2-1 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) will play host to three-time defending SIAC champion Tuskegee (2-2 overall, 1-1 SIAC). Tuskegee returned 15 starters from last season and was a heavy favorite to dominate the league this year. Instead, Saturday's game could help push Albany State closer to the lead. The Rams gave Tuskegee its only loss last season. In another SIAC game, Fort Valley State (4-1 overall, 3-0 SIAC) will play host to Miles. Fort Valley shares the lead in the SIAC with Kentucky State. In other games this week involving in-state college teams, Clark Atlanta (0-6) will try again for its first win of the season when it visits Benedict; Valdosta State (5-3 overall, 3-0 Gulf South) will play host to Arkansas-Monticello; and West Georgia (2-3, 1-2 Gulf South) plays at Harding. Last week, Chris Hatcher became the winningest coach in Valdosta State history. Hatcher is 41-4. His coach at Valdosta State, Hal Mumme, was 40-17-1. Hatcher won his 41st game midway through his fourth season. Mumme coached at Valdosta State five years.