GATA Talk

By gatatalkSports Football

GATA Talk episodes

October 02, 2025Emergency Pod: Georgia Southern Football Contracts Released
It's our first emergency podcast of the season! On the morning of Oct. 1, an anonymous X (Twitter) account called hailsouthern365 sent us and a few other a Google Drive link that contains what appears to be present and past Georgia southern football contracts. It's a treasure trove, Eagle Nation. From the expired contracts of Jeff Monken and Willie Fritz to the current deals of Head Coach Clay Helton and his coordinators and assistants, this leak sheds light on a lot of things.
Please note: The X account has revealed himself, and noted that the files were obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
Show Notes:
Helton's Five-Year Extension Has Occurred EVERY Year
Buyout Over $3M and Doesn't Drop Under a Million Until After 2028
Aplin and Bailey Guaranteed Through 2026
Several Assistants Guaranteed Through Next Season
Poor Performance Doesn't Count for 'For Cause' Termination
Database Includes Contracts of Monken, Fritz and Others
Where Do We Go From Here?
Listener Question: Evaluation of the Program After a Decade in FBS
1 hr 3 min
October 01, 2025S8 Ep9: JMU Loss, Bye Week and Southern Miss Preview
Georgia Southern dropped its Sun Belt Conference opener to James Madison 35-10 in a game that was never close and was never competitive. Now, the Eagles head into their dreaded bye week, where they are just 1-6 in the Clay Helton era, before hosting a surging Southern Miss team in a Thursday night affair on Oct. 9.

Show Notes:
JMU Result Not Surprising: Sign of More to Come?
Offensive and Defensive Lines Were Dominated
Defense Remains Dreadful, But Offense Not Much Better
The Dreaded Bye Week, Where Eagles Are 1-6 Under Helton
Southern Miss Preview: Huff and Braxton Seeking Revenge
East Title Seems Out of Question, Is a Bowl Even Likely?
1 hr 15 min
September 23, 2025S8 Ep8: Maine Win and James Madison Preview
After a rough start, Georgia Southern got things rolling to defeat FCS opponent Maine 45-17 to finish out-of-conference play at 2-2. Now, the season truly begins, as the Eagles head up to Virginia to face James Madison, the preseason favorite to win the Sun Belt East.

Show Notes:
Rough First Quarter Against Maine
New Secondary Sponsor in Section 103!
Eagles Need to Pull Out a Complete Game Against JMU
Weston Bryan Continues to Shine, Will Play Rest of Season
JC French Doing Enough to Win, Turnovers Unfortunate
Dalen Cobb Was a Few Plays Away from Record Day
JMU Preview: Dukes Only Allowing 17 PPG
Eagles Must Slow Down JMU Rushing Attack
GS Needs Clean Sheet and Forced Turnovers
Sun Belt Preview 2.0: Who's the Favorites After Four Weeks?
1 hr 45 min
September 16, 2025S8 Ep7: Jax State Win and Maine Preview
Georgia Southern gets its first win of the season in its first home game of the year, beating Jax State 41-34. The defense struggled, but showed some grit and fight in the second half. The offense was balanced and efficient, and the Eagles' special teams looks to be the most improved unit so far on the young season. Matt and Cody discuss all of this, and preview the Maine Black Bears.

Show Notes:
Paulson Crowd and Atmosphere Was ELECTRIC!
Defense Struggled Early but Showed Fight Late
Eagles Defense Still Historically Bad, Statistically Speaking
Special Teams Shines, from Kicking to Cobb's Return
Offense Was Balanced and Efficient
Weston Bryan Needs More Touches
Previewing Maine: Struggling Black Bears Head to Paulson
Need to Get Up Early, Fine Tune Defense, and Play Younger Players
First Home Game Reviews: Freedom Statue, Concessions, Vibes
1 hr 9 min
September 09, 2025S8 Ep6: USC Loss and Jax State Preview
Georgia Southern ends its forgettable, season-opening road trip in California 0-2 after a record-setting loss to USC. The Eagles gave up 755 yards to the Trojans, the most in program history. After giving up over 100 points and 1,300 yards through two games, the Eagles are desperate for answers — and a win — to overcome its woes. Enter Jax State, the reigning Conference USA champions, who are coming off a big win against Liberty where then rushed for 338 yards on 50 carries. Will Georgia Southern channel the Power of Paulson to get its first win, or will the defense crumble yet again as the Eagles fall to 0-3?

Show Notes:
USC Has Record Day on Offense
Boneheaded Play Calling Continues
Defense Is What It Is: We Must Outscore to Win
Bright Spots: Camden Brown and Weston Bryan
Why Are We Not Trusting Our Kicker?
Jax State Presents Recipe for Disaster for the Eagles
Resetting Expectations: What's Realistic After an 0-2 Start?
1 hr 6 min
September 03, 2025S8 Ep5: Unpacking the Fresno State Loss and Where Georgia Southern Goes from Here
Georgia Southern started the 2025 college football season with a disappointing 42-14 loss at Fresno State. Instead of previewing Game 2 against USC, which now looks to be an inevitable loss, Matt and Cody unpack what exactly happened in the Valley last Saturday against the Bulldogs, including what might be fixable and what remains as major concerns for the rest of the season for the Eagles.

Show Notes:
We Looked Awful in All Three Phases
Defense Had No Adjustments for Fresno's Running Game
Special Teams Is a Major Issue Moving Forward
Lack of Accountability by Clay Helton
We Won't Win Another Game Playing Like That
USC Loss Is Almost a Formality
Season Now Starts at Home Against Jax State
Is It Possible the Eagles Were Looking Ahead to USC?
56 min
August 25, 2025S8 Ep4: Georgia Southern vs. Fresno State Preview
It's officially game week, Eagle Nation! Georgia Southern's first opponent of the 2025 college football season already has one game under its belt, as the Fresno State Bulldogs fell to the Kansas Jayhawks 31-7 in Week 0. Matt and Cody break down that game and predict how the Eagles may fair against Fresno State when they take them on in the San Joaquin Valley.
Show Notes:
Fresno State Was No Match for Kansas
EJ Warner Looks Average at Best After Scripted Plays
Bulldogs Don't Seem to Have Many Proven Play-Makers
Defense is Fairly Fast and Likes to Send Pressure
Fresno States Special Teams Unit Looks Rough
Can We, Should We and Will We Beat Fresno State?
This Game and Every Game Is Ultimately About Us
56 min
August 21, 2025S8 Ep3: Georgia Southern Football Preview - Part 2
Part 2 of our 2025 Georgia Southern football preview is here, and it's the episode many of you have been waiting for, as we discuss expectations for the season ahead. Matt and Cody break down the schedule, discuss key matchups, and outline what success looks like in 2025.
Show Notes:
Breaking Down the 2025 Schedule
We'll Get an Early Look at Fresno State
We Can Play USC with Reckless Abandon
Jax State a Possible Trap Game in Out-of-Conference Play
Is the Season Already Over If We Lose to James Madison?
No More Excuses: Byes, Mid-Weeks, Playing Down to Opponents
Is It Conference Title of Bust? East or Bust?
Our Biggest Challenge in 2025 Is Ourselves
1 hr 14 min
August 13, 2025S8 Ep2: Georgia Southern Football Preview - Part 1
We're back for episode 2 of Season 8 of GATA Talk. In this one, we go in-depth with the Georgia Southern football roster, breaking down offense, defense and special teams. Who are the returning stars? What about possible breakouts? And can't forget the key transfers. Matt and Cody discuss all of this and more in this episode.
Show Notes:
Yes, There Was an Autotune Issue in Episode 1
New Sponsor Is Our Old Sponsor - KnKut Tools!
Defense Preview: D-Line and Backfield a Strength
Special Teams Preview: Big Question Mark at Kicker
Offense Preview: Deepest WR Core in the Sun Belt and Returning QB
Predicting Outcomes: PPG, Points Allowed, 1,000+ Yard Guys
1 hr 56 min
July 24, 2025S8 Ep1: Offseason Recap, Freedom Tribute & Conference Realignment
GATA Talk is back for its eighth season! Matt and Cody recap a relatively quiet offseason for the Georgia Southern football program. The guys pay tribute to Freedom and two other tragedies within Eagle Nation, and talk conference realignment with the soon departure of Texas State and the addition of Louisiana Tech.
Show Notes:
GATA Talk Is Now on YouTube!
In Memoriam: Tay McKibbins, Quin Williams and Freedom
Texas State: Big Loss or No?
Is La Tech Joining Really That Bad?
Future Conference Addition Considerations
New Special Teams Coordinator and Position Coaches
Looking Ahead to Future Preview Episodes
1 hr 15 min

About GATA Talk

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GATA Talk is a podcast dedicated to all things Georgia Southern Eagles football. Hosted by Georgia Southern University alums Matt Mauney and Cody Anderson, GATA Talk will give you weekly insight into…