Matt Breida, Georgia Southern off to quick start

The Georgia Southern Eagles are off to a fast start. They are 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the Sun Belt Conference.

And the fast start could be attributed to how well starting running back Matt Breida has performed through the first four games.

“I think he is one of the best backs in the country,” head coach Willie Fritz said. “He has phenomenal speed and has very good balance.”

Breida topped the 100-yard mark in three of the first four games, including 179 yards against the Idaho Vandals in the conference opener Saturday. The Eagles stay on the road in conference play this week when they travel to Louisiana-Monroe.

Breida had touchdowns on runs of 50 yards or more to set the tone for the Eagles against the Vandals. He ranks seventh nationally, averaging 147.3 rushing yards per game, and leads the nation, averaging 10.9 yards per carry. Breida is tied for the second most rushing touchdowns with eight.

Breida’s statistics stack up against Heisman Trophy frontrunners Nick Chubb and Leonard Fournette. Breida currently trails Chubb by just 10 yards but has almost few 20 carries than the Georgia standout.

Louisiana-Monroe’s defense is giving up an average of 179 rushing yards per game. Breida was limited to 51 yards last season by the Warhawks.

“He has great hands; he will also block. His No. 1 weapon is great speed. He gets you in the open field, and he has good vision,” Fritz said. “He kind of waits for things to develop. I think he is one of the top backs in the nation.”

This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 5:25 PM with the headline "Matt Breida, Georgia Southern off to quick start ."