Baker: Georgia State has Sun Belt’s best defense

Georgia State safety Bobby Baker said on Thursday that he thinks the Panthers have the best defense in the Sun Belt Conference.

The group returns nine starters that will feature at least six seniors from a unit that was one of the most-improved statistically in FBS last season. The team opened camp on Thursday ahead of its season-opening game against Ball State on Sept. 2 at the Georgia Dome.

Georgia State allowed 28.3 points per game and 405.6 yards per game last season, after allowing 43.3 points and 497.1 yards per game in 2014. The team made the most improvement against the run, reducing its yards per game allowed from 303.4 to 181.1.

“We’ll find out at the end of the season when the stats come out,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said after being told of Baker’s claim.

Appalachian State had the Sun Belt’s best defense last season, allowing conference-low averages of 18.2 points and 318 yards per game. The Mountaineers, picked to finish first in the preseason, will return eight starters.

Georgia State was fourth in points allowed and fifth in total defense.

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