Georgia State Panthers Gear Up for Big Match Against Appalachian State
ATLANTA– The Georgia State Panthers are ready to hit the field again this Saturday, October 26, aiming for their first conference win under the new leadership of head coach Dell McGee. They’re set to face off against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at 1:00 p.m. in what marks the 11th meeting between the two teams. So far, the Panthers are still on the hunt for their first victory against App State.
Previous Encounters
In a previous matchup last season, the Panthers experienced a tough defeat on their home turf, falling to the Mountaineers with a score of 42-14. Despite this setback, the team remains optimistic and is looking to turn their fortunes around on the road this weekend.
The Panthers in the Sun Belt
The Panthers might have a slow start in their conference play, but they’re still making their mark in the Sun Belt standings, showcasing resilience on both sides of the ball. When it comes to penalties, they lead the Sun Belt and hold the impressive ranking of 11th in the nation for the fewest penalties committed, recording just 31 so far.
Offensively, the Panthers are putting in the effort, ranking in the top 10 of several categories in the Sun Belt. They find themselves ranking 7th in completion percentage at 59.6%, 9th in team passing efficiency with 125.89, and holding down 4th place in passing offense, boasting an average of 257.0 yards per game. As the air attacks heat up, the Panthers seem well-prepared to challenge during their upcoming game.
Defense: Fumbling and Recovery
Defensively, Georgia State also keeps its head high. The team ranks 4th in the conference and 44th nationally for fumbles recovered, having snatched up four of those crucial opportunities. Senior linebacker Kevin Swint has been particularly impactful, leading the team with two forced fumbles. Furthermore, several players including D-Icey Hopkins, Henry Bryant, and Rykem Laney are all tied with one fumble recovery each, contributing to the team’s defensive efforts as they rank 3rd in the conference for this stat.
Tracking Player Records
As the season progresses, some Panthers are on track to set new personal and program records. Kevin Swint currently has four sacks this season, just two away from tying the second-place spots for single-season sacks and seven away from breaking the program record for 10.5 sacks. Meanwhile, Ted Hurst has scored six touchdowns, just three short of the single-season record of eight touchdowns, while Liam Rickman stands with seven field goals made, aiming to surpass the single-season record of fifteen.
Quarterback Battle
In the quarterback arena, the Panthers have seen a notable shake-up this season. After quarterback Darren Grainger completed a record 36 consecutive games as the starter, the team is now switching gears. The competition between Christian Veilleux and Zach Gibson for the starting position continues to spark excitement among fans. After Veilleux started for the first five games, Gibson stepped in during the recent match against Marshall. He went 19-for-32 for 192 yards and two touchdowns, leaving everyone eager to see what he will bring to the upcoming game.
Looking Ahead
Following the encounter against Appalachian State, the Panthers aren’t slowing down as they prepare for a four-game road series that will lead them to matches against UConn on November 1 and James Madison on November 9. Fans can look forward to seeing their team back in action at Center Parc Credit Union Stadium on November 16 when they host Arkansas State.
No matter what, the Panthers are aiming to make their mark this season and with determination and teamwork, they’re ready to face off against App State. So, mark your calendars and tune in for what promises to be an exhilarating game!
