Spring Scrimmage: What I'm Looking At Tonight

Great work today by our guy Ken Suguira.

A couple of things to note:
-Starting Center Ben Jacoby, who had been recovering from some ankle issues and a concussion, and Starting Left Guard Joe Gilbert will not be at the Dome on Thursday night.  Both are in Grad School and have night classes that will prevent them from being there.
-Back up Tackle Grant King and starting LB Jake Muasua will be out as well for precautionary reasons.

AJC Link

My thoughts:
-This is Spring Practice #15.  That's it.  While it is great for the fans to get a taste of football in the Dome for the first time since November, the coaches are not always thrilled about a change in their schedule (the team had been practicing in the morning).
-The increased likelihood of injury to key guys will likely move many starters off the field very early.  
-This is an opportunity for younger players to get snaps with the lights on.

-DISCLAIMER: DO NOT READ INTO STATS FROM THIS GAME
      - WRs like Brett Beidel and Zach Jones dropping passes are not indicative of our offense.  
        They are walk ons and will not be contributing in the Fall.

What to Watch For:
-Look for certain depth at positions.  Take a look a how back up Center Tim Wynn does tonight (#50). 
-Look at Nate Anthony at CB, Sam Burkhalter at ILB, Akeen Felder at LB, Cole Moon at H Back.
-Look at how QB Kelton Hill and QB Bo Schlechter look throwing the ball.  Not necessarily is deep reserve guys are catching them but where they are hitting them.
-Look at the overall speed at our skill positions.  This was something that I was encouraged by seeing key contributors who were faster and not carrying as much weight vs. muscle.

Looking forward to seeing you out in the Orange Lot and stop by and say hello!

“It’s kind of crazy, but that’s Georgia State,” said running back Parris Lee, smiling. “We make it crazy.”

Monday Quick Hitters - 10.4.10

Pleasant Monday to all of the Panther Nation. It's October which means our football team has been alive and well for a little more than a month of game action. Our boys sit at 3-2. Yep, that's right. Looking forward to Saturday after a fantastic Domecoming.

On we go...

Speaking of Homecoming: I typically let everyone else have their say on the game itself and check the links below from 2 of our perspectives, one from the AJC and one from Morehead State's point of view with some interesting comments by MSU Head Coach.
AJC Link
Morehead State Link
Examiner.com Link
What Others Are Saying via GSU Sports Communications

My take: As I hoped and discussed in my preview, we came out and mashed them in all 3 phases of the game. You can single out great performances (which their were several) and good stretches, I tip my hat to two players for outstanding individual efforts. The first, Nate Anthony (#1 in your program) who as a gunner (outside guys who typically run really fast) realized that the MSU player dropped the ball, pushed him out of the way and recovered the fumble to give the Panthers offense great field position and continue the momentum train chugging along. The second, Jr. TE Arthur 'Bully' Williams showed his might on a 11 catch that should have been for a minimal gain.  Instead, he proceeded to drag an Eagle defender into the end zone for the Panthers final TD. Absolutely tremendous power, athleticsm and sheer grit to will his way in.

Inaugural Season DVDs on Sale: GSU Sports Link

Attendance and an 'Atta Boy' to our Athletic Dept: I like, many of you, probably received or will receive a phone call from somone in our athletic department checking in. We are nearly half way through the first year and attendance has seemed to be a roller coaster ride as students are continuing to show up in increasing numbers but it seems that many of our season ticket holders are not. A great job by our athletic department to seek answers on why they bought them and have not shown up.

Anyone else paying attention to the other Fall Sports?  Women's Soccer is 9-3-1 and off to its best start in CAA play under veteran coach Domenic Martelli. Men's soccer is 4-3-2 and 1-2 in CAA play (the team has already matched its win total from 2009) under new head man Brett Surrency. Volleyball is 9-8 and 3-0 in CAA play under new coach Tami Audia. Have you supported any of the Fall Sports yet? If not, I urge you to check them out.