2012 FCS Playoffs: Taylor Heinicke poses challenge for Eagles' defense

Georgia Southern will have its hands full with a native son on Saturday, when Atlanta native Taylor Heinicke leads No. 4 Old Dominion for the teams' FCS quarterfinal game at Old Dominion. Heinicke looks to beat a team he never even considered attending, according to the Augusta Chronicle:

"They always ran the triple option, and it didn't catch my interest in watching the triple option as a quarterback so I never went down there," said Heinicke.

Heinicke also looks to break Steve McNair's single-season passing record in the game. The sophomore has thrown for 4,655 yards, 41 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. McNair's record of 4,863 has stood since 1994, a benchmark Heinicke figures to reach against the Eagles this weekend.

The Walter Payton Award finalist threw for a staggering 730 yards and five touchdowns in a win over New Hampshire on Sept. 22, which broke the single-game record of 716 by Houston's David Klinger in 1990. Heinicke said he's not really focused on the records, though:

"It sits back there in the back of my mind and it's pretty cool to be mentioned with those kind of names," Heinicke said. "I try to let it sink in for a little bit, but there's no time for that. It's time for Georgia Southern."

Heinicke was never really an option for Georgia Southern, who traditionally use running quarterbacks over passers. Eagles quarterbacks have thrown a total of 76 passes all season, three fewer than Heinicke threw in the game New Hampshire.