From one perspective, Georgia State had a solid scrimmage Saturday at the Georgia Dome.
The Panthers scored three touchdowns, made both field-goal attempts and committed no turnovers while running more than 100 plays.
But coach Trent Miles has to see the entire picture, and he wants to see more from his team in the next week and a half as the team begins preparation for its season-opening game against Samford.
“Any time you don’t turn over the ball you have to be happy, but at the same time I can’t be happy because I’m also (challenging) the defense, and we should create turnovers,” he said. “We have to be better getting to the football and creating turnovers.”
Ronnie Bell and Ben McLane had good days at quarterback. McLane was 8-of-15 for 109 yards, which included a 29-yard touchdown pass to Lynquez Blair. McLane, who started nine games last season, also led a touchdown drive that was capped by a 7-yard run by Duvall Smith earlier in the scrimmage. Bell was 13-of-25 for 110 yards. Clay Chastain was 4-of-6 for 24 yards and a 3-yard touchdown pass to Rendell Wilder on a busted play.
Miles said there is no timetable for announcing a starter, saying he could do so after the coaches review Saturday’s scrimmage, or he could wait until the guys take the field for the Aug. 30 opener.
“The whole operation moved well today, I thought,” McLane said.
On one of the touchdown passes, Blair was supposed to run a slant, but he saw press coverage and changed the route. McLane saw the same coverage and threw a perfectly weighted pass down the sideline.
Bell and McLane said they are growing more comfortable with the offense.
“Everything is coming easier now,” Bell said. “Camp did a lot of good things for us in terms of timing.”
Blair caught three passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. Freshman wide receiver Robert Davis caught four passes for 26 yards. Albert Wilson caught four passes for 40 yards. Kelton Hill caught four passes for 46 yards. Danny Williams and Jordan Giles were held out because Miles said he is trying to keep them healthy.
Running back Gerald Howse also didn’t participate. Kyler Neal and Smith split most of the carries with the first team. Neal had nine carries for 44 yards, and Smith had 12 carries for 34 yards. Wilder had seven carries for 44 yards.
Miles said he thought offensive tackle Ulrick John, linebacker Joe Peterson and tight end Bill Teknipp, who made a one-handed catch, played well. He also liked what he saw from cornerbacks Brent McClendon and Demarius Matthews.
Booming punt: During the scrimmage, after the offense couldn't convert on a third down, Miles pointed down the field and said Matt Hubbard just made a 90-yard punt.
No one thought much of it. After all, Hubbard made an 80-yard punt last year.
Hubbard is, according to Miles, the one player with a guaranteed starting position.
“I’m pretty happy with him,” Miles said. “He does a really good job.”
Hubbard averaged 43.1 yards per punt last season to increase his two-year average to 42.6 yards per punt.
But Hubbard wants to be even better this season. After spending the summer working with the rest of the team — the kickers did their own thing the previous summer — Hubbard said he is stronger and wants to improve his consistency of his punts.
“My goal is 1 or less punt-return yard,” he said. “I want to have a 43 (net) average. That’s been my goal since I’ve been here. No returns.”
Hubbard punted 59 times last season, with four touchbacks and 10 that resulted in fair catches.
He wouldn’t mind getting fewer opportunities this year, which would be a sign that the offense is holding onto the ball more.
“That would be awesome,” he said.
About the Author
