Tuesday, June 29, 2010

WMAZ Previews Georgia State Football

Interesting that a Macon TV station grabs the first preview (of many I'm sure). Some interesting comments by Curry:

"I've been so thrilled to discover within myself some new areas because ive had to think in different ways and I've really enjoyed that it has rejuvenated me," Curry said.

That may show itself in the X's and O's. Curry says his first year program will run or throw it anywhere on the field, have a "bizarre" looking defense at times, and will be adventurous on special teams.

"When those players from top programs buy in enough that they want to come and put your jersey on, that's strong medicine," Curry said.

Pigskin Preview: Georgia State Ready For History

Size Matters on the Defensive Front 7

A great breakdown by my friends over at Tomahawk Nation.

An educated guess on our starting front 7 (with spring weights):

DE - Christo Bilukidi - 295lbs.
DT - Khiry Karriem - 270lbs.
NG -  Demetrious Shorter - 255lbs.
DE - Evan Bostic - 235lbs.

OLB - Jake Muasau - 243lbs.
MLB - Louie Muasau - 235lbs.
OLB - Olufemi Opanubi - 215lbs.

Total: 1748lbs. That's a very good weight for the front 7 and would be comparable to mid level FBS defenses.

Tuesday Quick Hitters - 6.29.10

-Ticket Sales Update: 2250 season tickets sold after a great week last week. As has been speculated, I fully expect us to hit 3000-3250 by August practice.

-Donations to the Panther Athletic Club are up 1000% from FY 2009.  Not shocking.  Football drives the emotional purse strings.  Great job by the development folks to cultivate.  If you aren't a member of the PAC, you should.  Donate here.

-2010 Football Schedule Poster Available. A frosty adult beverage to the first person that can name every member on the poster in the comments section.

-David Buchanon signed by the Phillies.  Believe it or not, he would have likely made more money in a signing bonus if he hadn't come to Georgia State but I'm certainly glad he did. Link

-We are kicking around the idea of creating our great message board partner PantherTalk.com t-shirts.  If you are interested, email me.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Football hunting for advertisers and sponsorships

They have to create their own following, create their own fans," said Bob Hope, a partner in public relations agency Hope-Beckham and former public relations head for the Atlanta Braves. He said some advertisers could say yes to this inaugural year to show support, but if the season doesn't bring out crowds, they many not be back next year.


"There's a huge gap between good will and excitement," he said.


Link: http://www.ajc.com/business/gsu-football-in-the-554935.html

My take: What are we doing to create excitement with the casual Atlanta football fan?

AL.com Countdown to Kickoff: Coach Curry

"Curry is the only former Crimson Tide coach in the modern era to face an Alabama team as an opposing head coach after departing UA."


Link: http://blog.al.com/keepingscore/2010/06/bill_currys_return_to_tuscaloo.html

Monday, June 21, 2010

Rivals.com Releases Cheapest Ticket in College Football

Study: USF football still cheapest ticket in BCS

Rivals.com has finished its annual research on the cheapest season tickets in college football, and again, USF is listed as being the least expensive program in the six BCS conferences.

USF's $75 season ticket -- available only in two end-zone sections -- is less than half as expensive as the cheapest season ticket for four Big East programs -- West Virginia leads the way at $325, followed by Rutgers ($230), Cincinnati ($185) and Connecticut ($180). There are 18 Division I-A teams with tickets cheaper than USF's, but all are in non-BCS conferences -- two are on USF's schedule this year in Florida Atlantic ($44) and Western Kentucky ($30). The cheapest ticket for Skip Holtz's old school, East Carolina, is twice as much as USF's at $150.

Tampa Tribune Link: http://blogs.tampabay.com/usf/2010/06/study-usf-football-still-cheapest-ticket-in-bcs.html#comments

My take and how this relates to State: Our season tickets go for as little as $72.  We are definitely keeping up with the BCS Jones'.

Monday Quick Hitters - 6.21.10

-Is Coach Barnes on the Hot Seat? I say yes but it's interesting to hear his views on the direction of the team.  I'm told that he sat down for quite a while with The Voice and is happy with the progress.  I'll post more later.

-Speaking of Men's Basketball: Ever wonder about the basketball recruits that didn't sign? The NBA Draft is this Thursday and it's likely that a recruit that Barnes and staff were hot and heavy after will be drafted in the 1st round.  That'd be none other than Terrico White and from what I understand it was either us or Ole Miss.  In recruiting you win some and you lose some.

-Joe not working out for the Hawks tomorrow. From what I'm told, the Hawks are just working the big men out tomorrow.  Thought #1 - Still may be opportunity to at least getting an invite to summer league with the Hawks or another team.  Thought #2 - The Hawks are drafting a big man with pick #24.

-Interesting Article about upstart (I like that word better than fledgling) UNC Charlotte - 1st and Way Long: http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2010/06/21/story6.html.  What grabbed me and worth a mention:  "Even that could prove tough. Judy Rose, the school’s athletic director, has had conversations with the Colonial Athletic Association about an affiliation for the team in football, with other sports remaining in the Atlantic 10. The Colonial is expanding to 12 schools over the next two years and seems inclined to stand pat. “We never rule anything out,” league spokesman Scott Meyer says. “Right now, we have no interest going beyond 12 in 2012.” I'll say it right now: They can have our spot.  I'll give it to them today.

-College Football and the Video: A great link provided by one of the father's (big ups JML) of the football movement.  This has been imperative to recruiting and spotlighting the football program and I think we have a good grasp of this at State.  Highlighting Oregon: http://www.vimeo.com/9387016

-Georgia State isn't in NCAA 2011 - Newsflash for those expecting us on their video game set to be released July 13th.  No FCS teams are on the console this year which is a big downer from this gamer.

-Men's Soccer has a new coach, familiar face: http://bit.ly/d84IGCSay it with me: In State Recruiting...

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Kickoff for South Alabama at 5pm

According to AL.com, we will kick off at 5pm EST at Ladd-Peebles stadium.  Looking forward to this road trip down to L.A. (Lower Alabama for you young bucks).

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Jordan Demercy Officially Joins Men's Basketball

"Jordan DeMercy is a great addition to our program, and we are especially happy to welcome him back to Atlanta," said Barnes. "He gives us excellent size on the wing, and he's a very versatile talent. He can score, he can pass and he can really help us defensively."

My take: Can't say that I'm too happy with this one.  I just hope he's a walk on because he'll have to sit out '10-11 and will be eligible '11-12.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Monday Quick Hitters

-Football season tickets nearing 2,000. Only 80 days to go...

-Men's basketball scrimmaged last night.  Interested to see how the freshman did against our returning letter winners.

-Women's Basketball adds 5.  Impressive size.  I'm liking what I see so far out of our new women's boss.
http://www.georgiastatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=12700&atclid=204959533

-Lanard Copeland: "To this day Copeland remains one of, if not the greatest, Panthers to grace the hardwood." With respect to interviewer Jon Teitel, I'm not buying it.  He's Top 10, but behind Rodney, Shenard, Thomas, Kevin and Nate.
Link: http://www.collegehoopsnet.com/jon-teitels-interview-series-georgia-states-lanard-copeland-168647

-Why is Coach Curry awesome (and an Atlanta Sports Hall of Famer)? He gets a mention by the Hall of Famer Ric Flair. Woo!
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWYDMkmeluo&feature=related

Sunday, June 13, 2010

All 86 football players on campus

According to Coach Curry's Twitter page this morning:

Our team reports for summer school today! We will be 86 strong as we work to prepare for season one.Academics/conditioning will be required.

Basketball freshman are on campus as well as I know Harold Doby, Javonte Maynor, Devonta White, Rashaad Richardon were at the first team meeting last night.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Macon Telegraph Article on Georgia State fooball

Curry didn't say S Brandon Jones is a captain but I have a feeling he will be walking out to take the coin toss on Sept. 2nd.

“When there are times that I walk into meetings and think, ‘I’m tired, I don’t know if I have it today,’ I can look to Brandon Jones,” Curry said. “I know he’s going to motivate me, and when a team and coach respond to each other like that, it’s a special thing. When your players start to motivate you, you do start to speak to each other’s soul.

Jones on facing Alabama:

“It’s going to be very special. To play in Bryant-Denny Stadium? Right?” Jones said. “It will be something to live for. It gives me a chance to go against a very historic school and showcase my abilities. And with the team we’re going to have, everybody’s excited about that game. We want to see some big competition; that’s exactly what we want. We want to make a statement.”

Link: http://www.macon.com/2010/06/10/1156705/curry-panthers-ready-for-first.html

84 days and counting...

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Joe Dukes invited to Pre-Draft Workout with the Atlanta Hawks

According to the AJC's Michael Cunningham, Joe will get a workout on Tuesday, June 22nd. Make us proud Joe!

Shorter Kick Off Time Set for 7:30pm

According to the Sports Network (which does a pretty good job covering FCS teams):


Georgia State has yet to announce starting times for its first season, but the Panthers' first game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2 when they host NAIA program Shorter College at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers, unclassified this season, will move into CAA Football in 2012.

Link: http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/news/newstest.aspx?id=4316243


Friday, June 4, 2010

Yandell, Gilbert and Woods Officially Sign

Stacking the OL and TE position

The offensive lineman got quite a bit better today as we added (as expected) Joseph Gilbert and Clyde Yandell from Georgia Tech and Bailey Woods from Auburn.

"To be able to add these three student-athletes to our program is truly a blessing," said Curry. "Of course all three are excellent students and talented football players who bring size and experience that will help us tremendously. And the fact that they and their families have chosen to make this important step in their lives as part of our program at Georgia State really means a great deal."


Star signed and another possible JUCO transfer


Star signs: http://www.georgiastatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=12700&atclid=204954883

Star responded exactly the way I would hope. He told me, 'Coach, I want to do whatever it takes to help you build the program.'"


Introducing Tristan Carter
Former Tucker RB may be headed home. After a stint at Santa Barbara City College, he would have 2 years of eligibility left. Very strong and shifty RB with good hands, he'd fit right in and contribute immediately.

Free Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeBiBGHKI6o

Rivals HS Link: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Tristan-Carter-63135

I've been told by multiple sources that we may be in for more pleasant surprises starting next week.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Raheem Waller Added to Coach Barnes' Staff

We knew there would be an addition after Coach William Small headed to join Tim Floyd's staff at UTEP (taking 5 star PF Rashanti Harris with him in the process).

Coach Waller is a big man (6'8 and was around 245-250lbs. in his playing days at SC State). He understands recruiting for mid-major basketball and has been around some pretty good coaches in Cliff Ellis and Horace Broadnax.

Welcome aboard Coach Waller!

Link: http://www.georgiastatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=53527&SPID=5655&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=12700&ATCLID=204954507

South Alabama added to 2011 Football Schedule

Not suprised here as we knew about this series which may prove to be very valuable as our two schools are only several hours apart.

One opinion from this article was very interesting:

"In October 2011, South Alabama is set to play UC Davis, Texas-San Antonio, Tennessee-Martin, Georgia State and Edwards Waters. Texas-San Antonio and Georgia State, like USA's program, are eventually headed to FBS status. "

Link: http://blog.al.com/press-register-sports/2010/06/south_alabama_to_play_north_ca.html