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Georgia Southern, Eastern Michigan meet in Camellia Bowl
Camellia Bowl: Georgia Southern (9-3) vs. Eastern Michigan (7-5), Dec. 15, 5:30 p.m. Eastern (ESPN)
Line: Georgia Southern by 2.
Series Record: First meeting.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Georgia Southern is seeking its first 10-win season at the FBS level, though the program managed it 14 times as an FCS power. Eastern Michigan is trying to pick up the second bowl win in program history.
KEY MATCHUP
Georgia Southern's running game vs. Eastern Michigan's defense. Led by RB Wesley Fields (959 yards) and QB Shai Werts (829 yards), Georgia Southern is averaging 260.8 yards a game on the ground with 33 touchdowns. Eastern Michigan has been giving up 192.9 yards rushing on average while allowing 17 touchdowns.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Georgia Southern: Werts has passed for 954 yards and 10 touchdowns without an interception. He's also second on the team with 829 yards, including 13 scores.
Eastern Michigan: DL Maxx Crosby is an All-Mid-American Conference performer with 62 tackles. He has 18 1/2 tackles for loss, 7 1/2 sacks and four forced fumbles.
FACTS & FIGURES
This is Eastern Michigan's first bowl game in America in 31 years. It's Georgia Southern's second bowl game and first since the 2015 GoDaddy Bowl. ... Georgia Southern has committed just five turnovers this season, which would be a new NCAA FBS single-season low. The current NCAA record is eight turnovers in a season by six teams, last done by LSU in 2017. Georgia Southern leads the FBS with a plus-22 turnover margin, forcing at least one turnover in 15 consecutive games. Eastern Michigan ranks 10th in turnover margin at plus-10. ... Eastern Michigan is fourth nationally in red zone defense and fourth in pass defense. ... This is Eastern Michigan's second bowl trip in three seasons and fourth overall. The team is 1-1 in bowl games since joining the MAC in 1976. ... Georgia Southern is the only FBS team that hasn't thrown an interception this season. Only Army has attempted fewer passes than Georgia Southern's 110.
