This will be my last post for a week or so because I’m going on vacation.
Continuing the Georgia State football A-to-Z series:
S is for Sacks.
Of all the areas Georgia State’s defense improved last season, the team still has issues sacking the quarterback.
The Panthers had just 18 sacks last season, among the fewest of FBS teams. UNLV was the least productive with nine, while Alabama led with 53.
Getting to the quarterback has been an issue for the team for several seasons.
That total should improve this season because it returns nine starters, so they have experience in the system and the confidence born from last season.
One of the two new starters will be without Andrew Everett at rush end. He proved adept at getting to the quarterback as a player at Old Dominion with at least nine hurries and a few sacks.
End Mackendy Cheridor (3 sacks) is healthy, as is Michael Shaw (2 ½ sacks), who is moving from rush end to strongside linebacker, linebacker Alonzo McGee (2 ½ sacks), cornerback Chandon Sullivan (2 sacks), lineman Carnell Hopson (2 sacks) and cornerback Jerome Smith (1 sacks).
It remains to be seen how many opportunities the defense will get this season because they aren’t going to face a lot of teams that are pass-heavy.
