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.

About the Author

Kennesaw State to honor legacy of late coach Amir Abdur-Rahim

When Kennesaw State hosts South Florida on Sunday in a game dubbed “Love Wins,” late coach Amir Abdur-Rahim will be honored during a halftime ceremony.

2h ago

The Win Column: How to spot sports nonsense

Georgia football coach Kirby Smart did not find twin babies by the side of the road and raise them as his own. Why so much sports-related fan-page slop these days?

Texas A&M pressing for No. 1 CFP spot, topples another ranked team on the road

Texas A&M beat an AP-ranked team on the road for the third time this season and are a threat to take over the No. 1 spot in the CFP rankings.

The Latest

Credit: TNS

Kennesaw State to honor legacy of late coach Amir Abdur-Rahim

2h ago

The Win Column: How to spot sports nonsense

Atlanta TV sports listings

Featured

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Prosecutor takes helm of Georgia case against Trump. But will he move forward?

A veteran Georgia prosecutor will decide the fate of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies.

2h ago

With some solar power tax breaks expiring, Georgians rush to catch the sun

Georgia solar installers say they’re seeing a surge of customers trying to install rooftop solar systems before federal tax credits go away at the end of the year.

‘Automatic for the People:’ Weaver D’s still bonds Athens as era nears end

After feeding everyone from R.E.M. to Brian Kemp, and coining a phrase that went global, Dexter Weaver is preparing to close his storied Athens soul food restaurant.