Georgia State’s Caffey pleased with debut at RB

If healthy, he will get a chance against Arkansas State at the Georgia Dome on Saturday. Caffey is listed as questionable after sustaining injuries to his shoulder and knee in the loss to Louisiana-Lafayette.

Caffey said he knew the plays, though he had less than two weeks to learn them after moving from cornerback, where he started the first four games. Caffey’s position change was necessary after season-ending injuries to Kyler Neal and Jonathan Jean-Bart, and Krysten Hammon’s decision to leave school.

Caffey said it took a few plays and tackles to get used to speed of the game. He said he was pleased with his pass-blocking, and his ability to get up field and try to gain yards when plays broke down. He said he needs to improve his ability to make tacklers miss in the open field.

Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski said he was pleasantly surprised by Caffey’s performance. It was unknown how he would perform in the game because the Panthers didn’t tackle much at practice.

“He’s got some ability to really help us,” Jagdonzinski said.

Coach Trent Miles was even more positive.

“I thought he was a natural,” Miles said.

Harden quietly producing: Wide receiver Donovan Harden has quietly become one of quarterback Nick Arbuckle's favorite targets.

Harden has 21 catches for a team-high 340 yards and one touchdown.

“Guys who make plays in practice will make them on Saturday, and he does that all over the place,” Jagodzinski said.

Harden, who is questionable this week because of a shoulder injury from a horse-collar tackle last week, transferred to Georgia State last year from Illinois State, where quarterbacks coach Luke Huard was the offensive coordinator.

Though Harden was a threat with the Redbirds, catching 46 passes for 617 yards his sophomore year, it was unknown how he would fit in at Georgia State because he suffered a knee injury last year that required surgery.

“My mindset was I wasn’t hurt,” Harden said. “I just kept working hard and it’s ended up working out in my favor.”

Harden has the speed to run away from defensive backs and is brave enough to expose his 175 pounds to shots from linebackers when running routes across the middle.

“Tough kid,” Miles said. “He will block and he runs good routes. He is performing at a high level.”

Injuries and suspensions: There is a long list of starters who are questionable for this week's game.

Among the starters are: left tackle Michael Ivory (ankle), middle linebacker Joseph Peterson (shoulder), safety Nate Simon (quad), and wide receiver Lynquez Blair (shoulder) Additionally backup tight end Keith Rucker (shoulder) is also questionable. Safety Bryan Williams (back) is doubtful.

The only player who likely won’t play is Williams, who suffered a similar back injury that kept him out last year.

Suspended players expected to return are wide receiver Avery Sweeting and linebacker Melvin King. Neither made the trip to Louisiana-Lafayette because they violated a team rule related to academics.