Eagles picked second in pre-season poll

STATESBORO -- Georgia Southern was selected second in the Athlon Preseason Football Poll in the annual Athlon FCS Preview Magazine.

The Eagles were picked behind Sam Houston State, who went undefeated before losing to North Dakota State in the FCS National Championship game, and were one of just two Southern Conference teams in the top-10.

GSU was joined by league members Appalachian State, who was selected 8th, Wofford and Chattanooga. The Terriers came in at 19th in the poll and return the rushing tandem of Eric Breitenstein and Donovan Johnson. The Mocs were selected 24th on the back of sophomore quarterback Terrell Robinson fine freshman campaign and five losses by a combined score of 12 points.

Athlon also released a FCS Preseason All-American Team along with the poll and selected senior defensive tackle Brent Russell (Comer, Ga.) to their team. Russell was fourth on the team in total tackles and led the squad with 16.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

A two-time All-American, Russell was selected to five All-American teams after the 2011 season and was a member of the All-Conference First Team by both the league's coaches and media voters.