The first quarter has not been kind to Georgia State's offense. For the most part, it has been downright cruel.
The Panthers (0-3) have had just one scoring drive during the opening period, but have had two drives end with with turnovers, one end with a turnover on downs and three end with punts . GSU's defense has scored as many first quarter points as the offense, and that is part of the reason the team has failed to earn a victory so far this season.
On Saturday, the Panthers will need to put some points on the board against an Appalachian State (2-2) team that posted 44 points on them in 2014 and 37 in 2015. Last season, the Mountaineers were up 17-0 after the first, so scoring early will be imperative if GSU doesn't want the game to get out of hand quickly.
"We're trying to tone more things up," junior running back Kyler Neal said. "Trying to get more physical, help our techniques and pay real close attention to the details, cause those are the little things that have been killing us."
As junior quarterback Conner Manning continues to get comfortable in his new role as the starter, he said the team needs to sustain drives by converting manageable third downs and avoiding penalties.
"We just have to focus on our execution," senior wide receiver Robert Davis said. "Our execution has been lacking, but I feel like (against) Wisconsin we picked it up a little bit, and we'll carry that momentum into this week."
Manning should have an easier time picking up first downs this week as sophomore wide receiver Penny Hart returns from a hamstring injury that kept him out the last two games. Along with Davis, Manning has a pair of outside threats that are reliable pass catchers and should help with spreading out defenses to create better passing lanes and make running the ball a bit easier as well.
With a proven weapon in Hart returning to the offense, the Panthers should also have a better chance of retaining possession, which could mean a lot for creating offensive rhythm and could greatly benefit their defense. GSU has failed to have at least 25 minutes of possession in any game, meaning the defense has had to be stuck on the field for most of the game to get tired and allow opposing offense more and more chances to capitalize against the Panthers.
If the offense can get going early Saturday, it could not only put pressure on Appalachian State's defense, but also allow the GSU defense the chance to get some rest and attack the Mountaineer offense and force some turnovers like the unit was able to do in the first quarter against Ball State.
Coach Trent Miles pointed at losing last season's conference player of the year, quarterback Nick Arbuckle as a reason the offense hasn't immediately clicked. But with a pivotal conference game up next, Miles said he is not looking to make excuses.
"We just have to do what we do, and do it better," Miles said.
