Georgia State won’t open summer camp until August, so it’s a perfect time to start looking ahead to the teams the Panthers will face during the upcoming season.
I've already done the opener against Charlotte, Week 2 opponent New Mexico State, Week 3 opponent Oregon, Week 4 opponent Liberty, Week 5 opponent Appalachian State, Week 6 opponent Ball State and Week 7 opponent Arkansas State.
Let’s turn to Louisiana-Lafayette, the second of six conference opponents. The Cajuns defeated the Panthers 34-31 last year after Georgia State took a lead with 6:35 left to play.
The Panthers will host Louisiana-Lafayette on Nov. 7. Kickoff is TBA.
Louisiana-Lafayette
2014 record: 9-4, 7-1 Sun Belt Conference.
Coach: Mark Hudspeth, fifth year.
Starters returning: Six on offense, including left tackle Mykhael Quave, right tackle Octravian Anderson and left guard Donovan Williams, and wide receivers Jamal Robinson and Al Riles, and running back Elijah McGuire, the reigning Sun Belt player of the year.
Five on defense who had some starts, including tackle Jacoby Briscoe, linebackers Dominique Tovell, and defensive backs Tracy Walker, Travis Crawford and T.J. Worthy.
Offensive system: Multiple.
Defensive system: Multiple.
Three significant stats last year:
- McGuire rushed for 1,264 yards on 166 carries with 14 touchdowns.
- Terrance Broadway passed for 2,295 yards and 13 touchdowns, and rushed for 653 yards. He graduated.
- The Cajuns defense allowed 142.2 rushing yards, 263.5 passing yards and 26 points per game last year.
Key starters returning:
- Well, there's McGuire. Kind of a no-brainer on that one.
- Tovell had 52 tackles and three sacks
- Walker had 37 tackles and two interceptions.
How does Georgia State match up
This will be an interesting game.
Brooks Haack will look to take over at quarterback for Terrance Broadway, which make it seem like the Cajuns will likely rely on their running game this year.
Georgia State played the Cajuns tough last year, and the combination of Georgia State’s proficiency on offense and the Cajuns’ concerns over defense could make for another close, exciting game.
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