The Georgia Southern Eagles are back in Montgomery, Alabama, for another appearance in the Camellia Bowl.

The Southern Eagles became bowl eligible with their sixth win of the season as they knocked off Appalachian State in double overtime Nov. 26. They will face Buffalo on December 27 for a 12 noon kickoff.

“We are extremely excited as a football team and a university to be a part of this bowl season,” said Eagles coach Clay Helton. 

Buffalo finished the season with a 6-6 record. Similar to Georgia Southern the Bulls lost three-straight games entering their final game of the season and needed a win to become bowl eligible. In another similarity, Buffalo had to sweat out the win as they scored with 1:15 left in the game to earn a 23-22 victory over Akron.

“I feel like you have two teams who really had to fight their way in,” Helton said. “They now get to give the reward to their players and their fan base of another game. When you look at college football, only half the teams get the opportunity to be able to play one more game together and we are honored to be able to do that.”

As great as he feels it is to give the players and fans another game to play and attend, Helton also believes it is important to promote the Georgia Southern brand on a nationwide level.

“We are trying to build a national program on the highest level, and to be able to show students from throughout the country what Georgia Southern is about for student athletes and just students is a great opportunity,” he said.

Georgia Southern director of athletics Jared Benko knew early in the week of bowl selection day that the Camellia Bowl was the likely spot for the Eagles. GSU officials also watched Buffalo's final regular-season game with a purpose.

"We felt if they won, that is who we would play," he said.

Benko also noted the Eagles’ previous appearance in the Camellia Bowl, a 2018 win over Eastern Michigan. Tyler Bass kicked the game-winning field goal in a 23-21 decision.

“I feel that was a great experience, so we are hoping everyone will turn out once again,” Benko said.

All bowl games can hope for a little drama or history between the two teams playing. The big storyline for the Camellia Bowl will be Georgia Southern quarterback Kyle Vantrease going up against his former team. Vantrease, who played at Buffalo for five seasons before transferring to Georgia Southern, is No. 3 in the nation in yards passing.

“I think that is among the big reasons there will be interest in the game,” Benko said. “I also feel like it is a short drive for our fan base in the Atlanta area and many of our fans there can just jump in their car and get there for a noon start and then turn around and drive back if they’d like.”

Benko and Coach Helton both agree this is also a huge thing for recruiting and Helton and his staff have been out on the recruiting trail.