Jeff Monken not happy with GSU Eagles

photo Southern Conference

The Georgia Southern men's basketball team averaged 61.2 points per game last season. Through two games this season, Georgia Southern's football team is averaging 68.0.

The Eagles hammered Savannah State 77-9 in their opener and thumped St. Francis (Pa.) 59-17 last Saturday. Georgia Southern already has amassed 1,202 yards of offense, while allowing only 507.

So why did Eagles coach Jeff Monken sound like he was in a sour mood during the Southern Conference coaches' teleconference Tuesday?

"I'm not happy with the way we've been playing," he said. "All you've got to do is be around after the ballgame and hear me talk about our team. We've got a team that's capable, but we've just been playing sloppy -- missing tackles, missing assignments, missing opportunities, dropping interceptions, missing blocks.

"The two teams we've played are not the two toughest teams on our schedule. If they were the two toughest teams on our schedule, you'd feel pretty confident. Right now, I have no idea what kind of a team we have."

Georgia Southern will face one of its toughest opponents Saturday when the Eagles meet Wofford at Gibbs Stadium. The sloppy play Monken referred to, which include 16 penalties and six fumbles (none lost), could prove costly against the Terriers.

App State unranked

A very long run came to an end for the Appalachian State football program Monday. For the first time since September 2005, the Mountaineers are unranked.

App State opened its season with a 30-6 road loss to Montana. Last Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium, the Mountaineers were shocked 24-21 by North Carolina A&T. It's the first 0-2 start since 2009 for ASU, which that year reeled off 11 straight wins, and a tough beginning for new coach Scott Satterfield.

The Mountaineers are off this week and have a lot to correct, he said. Satterfield also said the starting quarterback job may be up for grabs. Preseason SoCon offensive player of the year Jamal Londry-Jackson has been outplayed so far by backup Kameron Bryant, he said.

As for All-America wide receiver Sean Price, who remains suspended following an August arrest, Satterfield said a return date has not been set.

Citadel offensive blues

Like App State, The Citadel is surprisingly 0-2. After being upset at home by Charleston Southern in their opener, the Bulldogs fell at home to Wofford 21-10 last week -- their 15th straight loss to the Terriers.

The Citadel's only offensive points last week came on a field goal, and the team is averaging 19.5 points and 321.5 yards per game. The Bulldogs added some offensive wrinkles this season outside of their usual triple-option look, but those may be eliminated heading into their game at Western Carolina.

"Our offensive production has not been what we'd hoped it would be, and we're taking a good, hard look at that now," coach Kevin Higgins said Tuesday.

Sullivan still out

Samford assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Bill D'Ottavio said Bulldogs coach Pat Sullivan is continuing to recover from back surgery. A timetable for his return to the sideline is unknown, he said.

Contact John Frierson at jfrierson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6268. Follow him at twitter.com/MocsBeat.

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