Georgia Southern, Appalachian State rivalry takes center stage

A rivalry is back on center stage at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in Statesboro when Georgia Southern hosts Appalachian State.

“This is as big of a rivalry game as we feel like we have,” Eagles head coach Tyson Summers said. “I certainly know the importance of this game to us and to our fan base and to our players.”

The two teams have played each other every year since 1993 and twice in 2001. The rivalry has survived a conference change and a switch from FCS to FBS.

The two teams won nine national titles at the FCS level and the Southern Conference title a combined 22 times. The long history has spilled over to next level and in the Sun Belt Conference. Both teams have enjoyed success since joining the Sun Belt.

Georgia Southern won the conference in its first year as a member of the conference, and Appalachian State finished as a runner-up a year ago. The two teams have split their games since joining the conference.

The winner of the matchup has gone on to finish higher in the standings, with Georgia Southern winning 34-14 in 2014 and Appalachian State returning the favor with 31-13 win last season.

The chance to control their own destiny in the conference adds more than just bragging rights to the rivalry for Georgia Southern.

“I certainly think that the two teams we are sitting here talking about should be two of the top teams to contend for the league each year,” Summers said. “That’s how we view. We know how important this game is for us.”

This story was originally published October 25, 2016 at 6:14 PM with the headline "Georgia Southern, Appalachian State rivalry takes center stage."