Georgia Southern Vs. Western Carolina: Eagles' lean on stout run defense

If you were to point at one reason for Georgia Southern's 3-1 start to the 2012 season, you can't go wrong pointing out the Eagles' stout run defense.

The No. 8 Eagles are giving up just 96.5 yards a game on the ground, good enough for 12th in all of FCS. GSU will get a good test in Western Carolina, who rank 33rd in FCS is rushing offense with 182.2 yards a game on the ground.

In an interview with Matt Yogus of the Statesboro Herald, senior defensive tackle Brent Russell talks about the defense's desire to stop the opposing team's rushing attack,

"Everybody's hungry and wants to get to the football, and that's just a great quality to have. I think everybody on the defense has it. We all want to be able to watch film and say, ‘Oh, I beat you there. I beat you to the guy.' It's a great feeling and it's a great way to play."

Russell and the rest of the GSU defense will have to keep that mentality up when they face the balanced Catamount rushing attack led by the duo of Darius Ramsey and Eddie Sullivan.