floor, and performing an elbow drop on the chair. The tradition was started following Lunsford's first win, a 52-point shutout of South Alabama, after the team had gone winless in the first 9 games of the 2017 season. Wins over Ranked Opponents Stadium Georgia Southern's home football games are played at Allen E. Paulson Stadium. The stadium was dedicated on September 29, 1984, and has an official seating capacity of 25,000. Prior to the Eagles' first FBS season, Paulson Stadium underwent a major expansion project that included the addition of a new football operations center and more than 6,000 new seats. The stadium's attendance record of 25,735 was set on September 17, 2016, when the Eagles beat Louisiana-Monroe 23-21. Prior to the opening of Paulson Stadium and becoming a full FCS member in 1984, the Eagles played their first two modern era seasons at Womack Stadium on the campus of Statesboro High School. Awards The Eagles have won six NCAA FCS national championships, a mark surpassed only by the North Dakota State Bison. Walter Payton Award Georgia Southern is one of five schools to have multiple Walter Payton Award winners. The award, which honors the top offensive player in the FCS, was won by running back Adrian Peterson in 1999 and quarterback Jayson Foster in 2007. Eddie Robinson Award Three Georgia Southern coaches have won the AFCA Coach of the Year Award, given to the top coach in FCS. Erk Russell won it in 1989, Tim Stowers in 1990, and Paul Johnson in 1998. Players Retired numbers Notable alumni Future non-conference opponents Announced schedules as of August 10, 2022. References External links GATAdb box scores, 1982–present American football teams established in 1924 1924 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)