Good Afternoon and Happy Monday Panther Nation!
I hope you enjoyed the last home game of the season and it was certainly exciting and gut wrenching all at once. Glad to have clinched a winning year and a winning record at home. Absolutely awesome.
In my preview, I highlighted the turnover battle (which was even), our ability to jump to an early lead (which we did 10-0) and playing well against the pass (eh, not so much). A clutch play by Jamal Ransby and a good final stand by the D clinched it.
The Panthers will have until Wednesday off and will begin preparations for FBS #12 Alabama.
On to the Links...
Media Recap the Lamar win: A great job, as always, by our guy CT for compiling these. GSU Link
Georgia State as the Example? As many of you may know, Kennesaw State announced that it was going to be playing football. Now it's the funding portion that is up to a student vote today. Let's just say the faculty and alumni are not as excited as we were back in 2007 and 2008. AJC Link
Georgia State Attendance 'Excellent' in 1st Season: Good work by our guy Ken at the AJC. AJC Link
Showing posts with label Lamar University. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lamar University. Show all posts
Monday, November 8, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Georgia State vs. Lamar - Preview & Prediction
Georgia State vs. Lamar
Kickoff: 1:00pm Georgia Dome
Radio: WCFO 1160 AM, WRAS 88.5
2) Can the Panthers jump on early and hit the gas? In both the ODU and South Alabama games, the Panthers were outscored 47-0 in the 2nd quarter. Lamar has been outscored 76-15. Get in your seat and expect some action early tomorrow.
3) Can the Panthers continue to play great vs. the pass? ODU threw 38 times for 152 yards. South Alabama threw 21 times for 181 yards. That's tremendous pass coverage and not giving up the big play. With the injuries to ILB Olefemi Opanubi we will continue to keep the ball in front and roll our safeties back.
Georgia State Wins If...
They can keep the offense rolling and value the football. Drew has thrown for 648 yards and 5 total TDs in his last 2 games. He's ended his pass without an INT streak but it's time to start a new one (currently at 16 passes but you didn't need to know that, did you?).
Lamar Wins If...
They are opportunistic and hope for a low scoring, sluggish affair. This could also be the best game of the year running the football as the Panther run defense has sprung major leaks in the last few weeks. Don't see it happening for the Cardinals, though.
Georgia State Checklist:
1) Pound the football - The Panthers could not move the football vs. ODU or South Alabama on the ground but I expect to see a concerted effort to get our running game off. Lamar runs a 4-3 and will be facing a front 7 that weighs a combined 1677lbs. That ranks them lighter than ODU but heavier than Savannah State as our opponents go.
2) Make the Cardinals uncomfortable early - We were able to essentially stymie South Alabama in the 2nd half and only allowed 3 field goals. I expect Lamar to face a very agressive defense and constantly changing looks.
3) Take shots down the field - Danny Williams has been sensational but I believe that we can absolutely take advantage of a defensive backfield that is giving up 230 yards per game through the air and have only forced opponents into 4 INTs.
The Roar
Georgia State will conclude its 7 game home schedule and will honor 5 seniors. Those Seniors are: Walk-On WR Charles Borowsky, Back up Safety Hubert Davis, Back up ILB Trey Ennis, Punter / Holder Brandon Lupo and Kicker Iain Vance. The Panthers will be without Punter Bo Schletcher for this game and have announced that ILB Olefemi Opanubi will be out for the rest of the year with a partially torn meniscus.
Prediction: Georgia State 31, Lamar 13
Kickoff: 1:00pm Georgia Dome
Radio: WCFO 1160 AM, WRAS 88.5
Quick Slant: The Panthers play their final home game on Senior Day after fighting back for a second week in a row before falling 39-34 to South Alabama. Lamar is coming off a 31-6 loss at North Dakota. This will be the first time that two first year programs will take the field this year on the floor of the Dome. Lamar is restarting football after closing the program down in 1989. The Panthers are aiming to clinch a winning season before next week's BYE week.
About Lamar: Lamar is 3-5 (1-5 vs. FCS opponents) on the season and has had struggles moving the ball on offense. They've beaten two NAIA schools and only average 13.8 point per game. The Cardinals will start JUCO Transfer from Navarro JC Andre Bevil and he's their best player having thrown for for 240 yards per game and can dodge pressure with his feet. Bevil does a very good spreading the ball around to his Top 3 WR targets: 6'3, 205lbs WR JJ Hayes, 6'1 195lbs WR Marcus Jackson and 5'9 170lbs WR Josh Powdrill. All 3 were JUCO teammates of Bevil at Navarro and they've combined for 95 catches and 1371 and 12 TDs. Jackson is the deep threat with Hayes as primary possesion, move the chains guy. 5'6 170lbs RB RB Octavios Logan has struggled on the ground but is a threat on kick returns averaging 24 yards per return and is their leading all purposed threat. 6'0, 210lbs LB Asim Hicks is their leading tackler and has 3 sacks which lead the team.
What to Watch:
1) Can the Panthers win the turnover battle? Lamar has been awful this year taking care of the football. They are a cumulative -10 with 14 INTs and 10 fumbles lost (22 fumbles total). The team that wins the turnover battle should win this game.
3) Can the Panthers continue to play great vs. the pass? ODU threw 38 times for 152 yards. South Alabama threw 21 times for 181 yards. That's tremendous pass coverage and not giving up the big play. With the injuries to ILB Olefemi Opanubi we will continue to keep the ball in front and roll our safeties back.
Georgia State Wins If...
They can keep the offense rolling and value the football. Drew has thrown for 648 yards and 5 total TDs in his last 2 games. He's ended his pass without an INT streak but it's time to start a new one (currently at 16 passes but you didn't need to know that, did you?).
Lamar Wins If...
They are opportunistic and hope for a low scoring, sluggish affair. This could also be the best game of the year running the football as the Panther run defense has sprung major leaks in the last few weeks. Don't see it happening for the Cardinals, though.
Georgia State Checklist:
1) Pound the football - The Panthers could not move the football vs. ODU or South Alabama on the ground but I expect to see a concerted effort to get our running game off. Lamar runs a 4-3 and will be facing a front 7 that weighs a combined 1677lbs. That ranks them lighter than ODU but heavier than Savannah State as our opponents go.
2) Make the Cardinals uncomfortable early - We were able to essentially stymie South Alabama in the 2nd half and only allowed 3 field goals. I expect Lamar to face a very agressive defense and constantly changing looks.
3) Take shots down the field - Danny Williams has been sensational but I believe that we can absolutely take advantage of a defensive backfield that is giving up 230 yards per game through the air and have only forced opponents into 4 INTs.
The Roar
Georgia State will conclude its 7 game home schedule and will honor 5 seniors. Those Seniors are: Walk-On WR Charles Borowsky, Back up Safety Hubert Davis, Back up ILB Trey Ennis, Punter / Holder Brandon Lupo and Kicker Iain Vance. The Panthers will be without Punter Bo Schletcher for this game and have announced that ILB Olefemi Opanubi will be out for the rest of the year with a partially torn meniscus.
Prediction: Georgia State 31, Lamar 13
Weekend Predictions Pouring In
Good Morning and Happy Day Before Gameday!
I'll have Preview & Prediction up before lunch time but wanted to give you a few writer's predictions for our game vs. Lamar.
AJC: Jeff Schultz: Lamar at Georgia State: Lamar returned to college football after dropping it 21 years ago. That’s an even longer layoff than Bill Curry had. Panthers cover 14. AJC Link
Augusta Chronicle: Scott Michaux: Lamar @ Georgia State: Lamar got skunked by South Alabama. Georgia State nearly beat them. Good enough analysis for me. Panthers 24, Cardinals 7 AC Link
The Record (Orange County, Texas): GEORGIA STATE over LAMAR—Georgia State was barely nipped by South Alabama last weekend and South Alabama put a pretty good-sized knot on the Cardinals’ head a couple weeks ago. The Redbirds need to have two good halves of football to be competitive against these opponents outside of the Southland Conference. Record Link
I'll have Preview & Prediction up before lunch time but wanted to give you a few writer's predictions for our game vs. Lamar.
AJC: Jeff Schultz: Lamar at Georgia State: Lamar returned to college football after dropping it 21 years ago. That’s an even longer layoff than Bill Curry had. Panthers cover 14. AJC Link
Augusta Chronicle: Scott Michaux: Lamar @ Georgia State: Lamar got skunked by South Alabama. Georgia State nearly beat them. Good enough analysis for me. Panthers 24, Cardinals 7 AC Link
The Record (Orange County, Texas): GEORGIA STATE over LAMAR—Georgia State was barely nipped by South Alabama last weekend and South Alabama put a pretty good-sized knot on the Cardinals’ head a couple weeks ago. The Redbirds need to have two good halves of football to be competitive against these opponents outside of the Southland Conference. Record Link
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Tuesday Quick Hitters - 11.2.10
Good Morning and Happy Tuesday Panther Nation! The football team is not practicing today and giving the players a chance to rest their bodies as we came out of the South Alabama pretty beat up.
I wanted to hit a few topics of discussion that we've seen on the boards and in conversations:
1) Moving to FBS - Talk is premature right now. Let's put a moratorium on it for a bit. It's great to have dreams but enjoy the next 2 games as the 1st year is winding down.
2) This Saturday is our last home game. Help us honor the 5 seniors on this team and let's send them out with a huge crowd. Try to bring at least one person who hasn't been to a game yet this year. I'm going to bring two of my friends (one is a GSU grad who hasn't been to a game yet) and will be hanging out at the PantherTalk.com tailgate in the Orange lot. Come by and say hello.
3) Being critical of coaches. I've been a fan of a major BCS conference program with 50 years of playing history behind it. Before you go on a board or in public and critique what any of our coaching staff is doing take a breath, count to 10 and realize that you have no body of work to judge. Coach Curry and his staff evaluate every play, every practice and every player. I'm confident that they put our players in the best position to succeed. Support them and support our teams.
On to the links...
Ken S from the AJC previews Lamar: AJC Link
South Alabama's Joey Jones recaps our game:
On Saturday’s win over Georgia State: Boxscore News Link
“I’m real excited about the win Saturday. I thought we played well. I didn’t think we came to play the second half like we normally do. We talked to our players about it at halftime. It’s happened so many times where we’re up at halftime, and we tell them to play their best in the second half and play like it was the very first play of the game. I don’t know that we did that, and that’s my responsibility to make sure they do so. But there have been so many times where a team would just fold, and they [Georgia State] didn’t fold. I think we learned a big lesson there. I never felt like we were going to lose the game, but we had to make first downs on that last drive.
"They were so hot on offense that last quarter, that I didn’t want to give them the ball back and give them the chance to win it. But we called timeout and brought the offense over, and the offensive line and Kendall Houston took over. He broke tackles and just did a great job. That’s a good feeling to close a game out like that and not give the other team a chance. That says a lot about the guts of our players.”
My take: Give credit where credit is due but I had the prevailing feeling at halftime that our offense would roar back and told my wife as much. Our offense is really only being stopped by its own mistakes (fumbles & INTs). As Coach Bond said yesterday, he's very comfortable with our passing game right now that he almost has to catch himself from calling pass heavy game plans.
Updated Sagarin Ratings: South Alabama drops to #111 with the wins vs. us. We sit at #185 and our opponent this week, Lamar, is currently ranked #204. AL.com Link
Checking In With Our Opponents with Bob R from the Examiner: Our opponents have a cumulative win-loss record of 47-42 (.528 Winning %) after a 5-3 week. Examiner Link
I look forward to seeing you Saturday at the Dome. Beat Lamar!
I wanted to hit a few topics of discussion that we've seen on the boards and in conversations:
1) Moving to FBS - Talk is premature right now. Let's put a moratorium on it for a bit. It's great to have dreams but enjoy the next 2 games as the 1st year is winding down.
2) This Saturday is our last home game. Help us honor the 5 seniors on this team and let's send them out with a huge crowd. Try to bring at least one person who hasn't been to a game yet this year. I'm going to bring two of my friends (one is a GSU grad who hasn't been to a game yet) and will be hanging out at the PantherTalk.com tailgate in the Orange lot. Come by and say hello.
3) Being critical of coaches. I've been a fan of a major BCS conference program with 50 years of playing history behind it. Before you go on a board or in public and critique what any of our coaching staff is doing take a breath, count to 10 and realize that you have no body of work to judge. Coach Curry and his staff evaluate every play, every practice and every player. I'm confident that they put our players in the best position to succeed. Support them and support our teams.
On to the links...
Ken S from the AJC previews Lamar: AJC Link
South Alabama's Joey Jones recaps our game:
On Saturday’s win over Georgia State: Boxscore News Link
“I’m real excited about the win Saturday. I thought we played well. I didn’t think we came to play the second half like we normally do. We talked to our players about it at halftime. It’s happened so many times where we’re up at halftime, and we tell them to play their best in the second half and play like it was the very first play of the game. I don’t know that we did that, and that’s my responsibility to make sure they do so. But there have been so many times where a team would just fold, and they [Georgia State] didn’t fold. I think we learned a big lesson there. I never felt like we were going to lose the game, but we had to make first downs on that last drive.
"They were so hot on offense that last quarter, that I didn’t want to give them the ball back and give them the chance to win it. But we called timeout and brought the offense over, and the offensive line and Kendall Houston took over. He broke tackles and just did a great job. That’s a good feeling to close a game out like that and not give the other team a chance. That says a lot about the guts of our players.”
My take: Give credit where credit is due but I had the prevailing feeling at halftime that our offense would roar back and told my wife as much. Our offense is really only being stopped by its own mistakes (fumbles & INTs). As Coach Bond said yesterday, he's very comfortable with our passing game right now that he almost has to catch himself from calling pass heavy game plans.
Updated Sagarin Ratings: South Alabama drops to #111 with the wins vs. us. We sit at #185 and our opponent this week, Lamar, is currently ranked #204. AL.com Link
Checking In With Our Opponents with Bob R from the Examiner: Our opponents have a cumulative win-loss record of 47-42 (.528 Winning %) after a 5-3 week. Examiner Link
I look forward to seeing you Saturday at the Dome. Beat Lamar!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tuesday Quick Hitters - 9.28.10
Welcome to what feels like Fall and football season for that matter! The guys are ready to hit the practice field. Enjoyed seeing some of their social media responses at 6:15am this morning. They weren't dreading getting up that early, they were ready to get prepared for Week 5 and MSU.
Let's Get It...
Winning Record? SB Nation Thinks So:
Georgia State Panthers - 6-5
You heard it hear first, Georgia State will definitely finish its first season with a winning record! After starting out 2-2 and consistently playing to the level of its opponents, the Panthers will end the season 6-5. In fact, this past weekend's victory over Campbell was just the beginning of the Panthers' own four-game winning streak (all over FCS opponents!).
The biggest news to come out of Atomic Football's predictions for GSU is that the Panthers WILL NOT LOSE BY TRIPLE DIGITS TO ALABAMA. GSU is predicted to finish its season with (only) a 57-0 loss to the Crimson Tide. But who knows, they do have a 0.1% chance of winning (I guess those algorythms have some GSU bias too).
Additionally, if Georgia State had the opportunity to play the remainder of its season 1,000 times, it would win out one of those times! SB Nation Link
Jeff Sagarin Rating Update: We are currently #239 (still behind South Alabama and Lamar, as they are #229 and #231, respectively). Not the most fond of his numbers but it gives you an idea of how we are viewed nationally. AL.com Link
AJC Preview of Morehead State: Ken S is on the case and puts a nice capsule together. Check out his Twitter page @AJCGSU for continuous updates. AJC Link
PantherTalk.com is growing again: We've added a photographer to our team and we should have pictures from the game from our new PantherTalk.com photographer. Bookmark PantherTalk.com and visit early and often.
We're #1: National Jurist magazine, a publication aimed at law school students ranked the College of Law at Georgia State University No.1 in value, up from its fourth place ranking last year. The University of Georgia School of Law, the only other school from the Peach State to make the list, ranked 15th. The magazine based its selection on bar passage rates, tuition costs, average student debt after graduation and post-graduation employment rates. AJC Link
Let's Get It...
Winning Record? SB Nation Thinks So:
Georgia State Panthers - 6-5
You heard it hear first, Georgia State will definitely finish its first season with a winning record! After starting out 2-2 and consistently playing to the level of its opponents, the Panthers will end the season 6-5. In fact, this past weekend's victory over Campbell was just the beginning of the Panthers' own four-game winning streak (all over FCS opponents!).
The biggest news to come out of Atomic Football's predictions for GSU is that the Panthers WILL NOT LOSE BY TRIPLE DIGITS TO ALABAMA. GSU is predicted to finish its season with (only) a 57-0 loss to the Crimson Tide. But who knows, they do have a 0.1% chance of winning (I guess those algorythms have some GSU bias too).
Additionally, if Georgia State had the opportunity to play the remainder of its season 1,000 times, it would win out one of those times! SB Nation Link
Jeff Sagarin Rating Update: We are currently #239 (still behind South Alabama and Lamar, as they are #229 and #231, respectively). Not the most fond of his numbers but it gives you an idea of how we are viewed nationally. AL.com Link
AJC Preview of Morehead State: Ken S is on the case and puts a nice capsule together. Check out his Twitter page @AJCGSU for continuous updates. AJC Link
PantherTalk.com is growing again: We've added a photographer to our team and we should have pictures from the game from our new PantherTalk.com photographer. Bookmark PantherTalk.com and visit early and often.
We're #1: National Jurist magazine, a publication aimed at law school students ranked the College of Law at Georgia State University No.1 in value, up from its fourth place ranking last year. The University of Georgia School of Law, the only other school from the Peach State to make the list, ranked 15th. The magazine based its selection on bar passage rates, tuition costs, average student debt after graduation and post-graduation employment rates. AJC Link
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Our Opponents Impressive this weekend
Gamecock players letting out a Rebel yell in Oxford on Saturday
Photo Courtesy of Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press
Jacksonville State - 1-0 It all starts with our Week 3 home opponent Jacksonville State. They walked into Ole Miss and capitalized on 3 Rebel turnovers and beat them in 2 OTs 49-48. A great win for them and I've got to believe they'll be very excited and will have a very large following on Sept. 18th.
Campbell - 1-0 Our Week 4 opponent defeated previously winless UVA-Wise 20-16 for their season opening win.
Morehead State - 0-1 Our Homecoming and Week 5 opponent absolutely got housed vs. James Madison losing 48-7.
Savannah State - 0-1 Our Week 6 opponent headed to Statesboro to face the Georgia Southern Eagles and received a worse beating that Morehead State did, losing 48-3.
North Carolina Central - 1-0 Our Week 7 foe beat Johnson C. Smith 59-0.
Old Dominion - 0-1 Week 8 road opponent ODU had a tough go and lost to non scholarship Jacksonville University 35-25 at home.
South Alabama - 1-0 Week 9 road opponent beats NAIA Pikeville (Ky.) 59-0 in front of 22,376 fans at Ladd Peebles Stadium.
Lamar - 0-1 Week 10 and final home game opponent loses to #11 McNeese State 30-27.
Alabama - 1-0 (0-0 SEC) The defending BCS National Champions defeated San Jose State 49-3 without Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram.
Through Week 2 our opponents are 6-8 (Lambuth lost on Thursday night to the Wonder Boys of Arkansas Tech.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)