Three storylines
Can the Panthers play a complete game? Coach Bill Curry said the goal this week is to finally play a complete game and to do it with dignity. The Panthers have had good single quarters in which the offense, defense and special teams have all played well. They also have had good halves and even good segments of three quarters. Curry said putting it all together for four quarters would be a good jumping-off point for the offseason, which promises to be filled with work.
Can Kelton Hill reduce the mistakes? Hill was spectacular throughout most of last week's game. He passed for 228 yards and rushed for a school-record 152 more. However, his inexperience showed with two interceptions and a lost fumble at West Alabama's 2-yard line. He's had flashes of brilliance in each of his four starts.
Will the special teams ever get better? What was perhaps the team's biggest strength last season has turned into its biggest weakness during the second half of this season. The Panthers have missed seven of their past nine field-goal attempts, including two from 30 yards or less.
A Georgia State win would ...
- Be its third this season.
- Snap a three-game losing streak.
A Campbell win would ...
- Be its seventh this season.
- Be its first over Georgia State.
Keep an eye on ...
For Georgia State: Albert Wilson and Danny Williams. With the Panthers potentially down to their third-string running back, expect Hill to look for his two best wide receivers to keep the chains moving. Wilson leads the team in several categories, including receptions (36), receiving yards (764) and receiving yards per game (95.5). Williams has caught a pass in 21 consecutive games. The duo have combined for eight touchdowns.
For Campbell: Jordan Cramer. He is the go-to guy at the goal line, scoring 12 touchdowns this season. He averages 40.3 yards per game, but 6.3 yards per rush as the team's fullback.
The numbers game
7 Number of different Camels receivers who have caught at least 10 passes.
13 Combined margin of defeat for the Panthers in their three-game losing streak.
The history book
Series record: Georgia State leads the series 1-0.
Last time: The Panthers, in the first road game in school history, defeated the Camels 24-21 on Sept. 25, 2010. They won on a 30-yard field goal with one second remaining.
The bottom line
Who knows what will happen with Georgia State? As Curry said, they’ve yet to play a complete game this year and anything less usually results in defeat. If the Panthers can limit Campbell’s effective rushing attack (222.7 yards per game) and the Panthers can establish at least of a threat of a consistent rushing attack, that should open up the offense enough for Hill and his wide receivers to play well.
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