I must admit that after watching last week's football game, I am still speechless. Therefore, I'm going to talk about another sport.

Basketball is coming up quickly, and as a former Hanner Hooligan I can't quite put into words how anxious I am to get this season going. Last time I was at Hanner, there wasn't a lot to go crazy about. I came to Hanner throughout college to support players like Louie G, Terry Williams, Elton Nesbitt and so many more.

This year, I'm not sure what to really expect. I do expect a good showing, though.

The Eagles have a lot of momentum going into their first game, and I for one will be there to cheer them on.

I'm going to keep this blog short and sweet this week. But let me just say this: the Eagles not only  need to win this game but want to win. They want this win more than any game they've played so far this season. And the fans are thirsting for revenge from last year (not to mention bragging rights over the team who constantly boasts about their 'triple crown' while GSU has twice as many as they do).

Their number of flags is child's play compared to ours. And because of that, I've got a little poem for you to enjoy. It's currently untitled. If you want to name it, go ahead.

There once was a QB in Boone,

Whose quickness made the hillbillies swoon.

Everybody was slower,

Till he messed with a mower,

Now GSU’s coming and he’s doomed.

If ever there was a time the Eagles needed a win, it's now. They're coming home to a less-than-welcoming crowd, and memories of the last game at Paulson continue to haunt players and fans alike.

I believe our boys, our young men, can (literally) bring home the win. Here and there, we've seen glimpses of what this group can do. There are a few standouts amongst the team, and I realize that most fans are impatient. We want to win. Georgia Southern isn't the team to be trifled with.

I understand we all want to return to our winning ways, but you have to remember that for a few years there, we had a different coach every season. It's hard to come back from that.

And it's also hard to take a bunch of boys and turn them into men. Hatcher, while he is a good coach, isn't Erk. While he's only been here a few seasons, he's having to cope with losing starter after starter to academics and other things.

Give his team a chance.

It's like we were watching a trilogy. The first movie is great: successful, fun, entertaining for all. The second movie is more of a let-down when compared to the original: growing pains, plot thickening points and more characters. But the third movie is almost as good as the first: not quite like the original but a significant improvement over the second.

We're on our second movie with our football team.

And while we're watching the second movie just to get to the third movie, it's actually turning into a pretty good ride. Just be patient while they build up to the third movie in this saga about our beloved Eagles.

And when the third movie finally reaches its climax (wins, titles, etc.) you can look around and say you were there through the whole process.

What better story is there to tell?

When the time came for me to pick a college, I did what a lot of others do; my decision was based on the football program. (Note: I learned this in an introductory course in Sports Management, so it must be true.*) There was also the fact that my father and sister went to Georgia Southern, so it wasn't solely based on the football program. Football was just a big part of it.

My first trip to Paulson was probably something like when Susan Surandon's Anne Savoy from "Bull Durham" went to her first baseball game. She believed in the Church of Baseball. I believe in the Church of Georgia Southern (well, not literally mind you).

I have faith in my team, and that is why I won't turn my back on them. When I graduated, I stayed true to the team and became a Booster.

I didn't do it because of the current team or because of the scholarships. I did it because of the lore, the tradition. I did it for the House that Erk built. I did it because I (inwardly) freaked out like a tween girl at a Jonas Brothers concert when I stood in line behind Erk and I have no shame in admitting when I heard Erk died, I not only cried but lit up a friend's cigar in memory of Erk.

We are Georgia Southern. We are the Eagles. We are the House that Erk built. We come from the magical and humble beginnings on the banks of Beautiful Eagle Creek. We need the inspiration that Erk seemed to take with him when he died. What the Eagle Nation needs is more faith.

We need the fire, the spark that Erk created all those years ago when he took a rag-tag group of young men and turned them into All-Americans.

We'd be asking for no less than a miracle if we said we need another Erk. But there's really a little of Erk's spirit in all of us. We just have to find it and make Our House ours again. The die hard fans have the same magical, legendary spark in their eyes. And it's because of them that I know the eagles will not only fly again - they will soar.

* GA Encyclopedia.