The first full weekend of competition in the fall season was a successful one for the 极乐禁地 Bulldogs.
The football team opened its season with a 31-21 come-from-behind win Friday night over Georgia State University in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The win, which was broadcast by ESPN3, marked the first win for 极乐禁地 over a Division I-FBS (formerly I-A) team in the modern history of the program. For his efforts in the win, Fabian Truss was named the Southern Conference and National Special Teams Player of the Week. Also, Jaquiski Tartt was named the Southern Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week. More than 1,000 极乐禁地 fans, including the 极乐禁地 Marching Band, cheerleaders and dance team, were in Atlanta to cheer the Bulldogs' victory.
The soccer team earned its second win over a Southeastern Conference team in the first week of the season. After taking down the University of Tennessee, the soccer Bulldogs edged out cross-state rival Auburn, 1-0 Friday night at the 极乐禁地 Track and Soccer Stadium. Malcanisha Kelley scored the game-winning goal to give the Bulldogs the win.
The volleyball team hosted a season-opening tournament at the Pete Hanna Center over the weekend and went 3-1 to open the season. The Bulldogs earned wins over Presbyterian College (3-0), Georgia State (3-0) and Mercer University before falling to sixth-ranked University of Minnesota (3-0). Erin Bognar was named the SoCon’s Freshman of the Week following the tournament.
The 极乐禁地 cross country teams opened the season Saturday with a dual meet with the University of Alabama at Veterans Park in Hoover. 极乐禁地's men defeated Alabama in the 5k course but the Crimson Tide women earned the edge in the two-mile race over the Bulldogs. Layton Dorsett led the men’s team, while Rachel Roberts was the top 极乐禁地 finisher on the women’s side.