College Football News Preview 2020: Georgia State Panthers Keys To The Season
Biggest Key To The Georgia State Panthers Offense
Get the downfield passing game going. The offense ran too well at times with Dan Ellington at quarterback to take too many shots down the field, but the passing game was way, way too inconsistent – it failed to hit half of its passes five times.
Whether it’s Cornelious Brown or Kierston Harvey under center, the Panthers have to utilize their solid receivers and all-star tight ends more after averaging just 6.7 yards per try.
Georgia State was 5-1 when throwing for 200 yards or more with multiple touchdowns.
Biggest Key To The Georgia State Panthers Defense
The run defense has to do a much, much better job of holding up. The Panthers got hammered on way too often, allowing 200 yards or more eight times, 290 yards or more three times, and got punched by Western Michigan for 450 yards and seven scores.
There’s too much experience on the front seven to be this mediocre again, and the secondary can hit, too. Against FBS programs, the Panthers were 1-6 when allowing 200 yards or more.
Key Georgia State Panthers Player To A Successful Season
QB Cornelious Brown, RFr.
Or Kierston Harvey, or any of the quarterbacks on the roster trying to take over for Dan Ellington. With all of the other parts in place, the Georgia State offense might be one good quarterback away from having one of the Sun Belt’s most effective attacks.
The offense had a good group of running backs, some all-star receivers, and a solid line, but it all worked around Ellington, who hit 64% of his passes with 22 touchdowns and eight picks, and ran for 668 yards and six scores.
The 6-5, 180-pound Brown is a tall, thin passer with a live arm and the upside to start pressing the ball down the field more than Ellington did.
Key Game To The Georgia State Panthers Season
Georgia Southern, Nov. 28
It’s not just because it’s the rivalry game, it’s because it’s the rivalry game that Georgia State has lost badly over the last two years.
Even with everything going well last season, the Panthers got rocked by the Eagles 38-10 after losing 35-10 in 2018.
The D didn’t do nearly enough against the option attack in either game, allowing close to seven yards per crack two years ago and was hit for six yards per carry with five scores last season.
This year’s battle is coming off of road games at Appalachian State and South Alabama, and might be needed to get to six wins.
– Georgia State Panthers Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
2019 Georgia State Fun Stats
– Fumbles: Opponents 21 (lost 8) – Georgia State 13 (lost 7)
– Onside Kicks: Opponents 0-for-4 – Georgia State 0-for-0
– Average Yards Per Pass: Opponents 8.5 – Georgia State 6.7