Georgia State’s defense improving

Georgia State’s defense wanted to improve in three areas this season:

• Stopping the run;
• Getting pressure on the quarterback;
• Creating big plays;

So far, the defense can check off each box as Georgia State (1-2, 1-0 Sun Belt) prepares to take on FCS power Liberty at the Georgia Dome on Saturday.

“I think we have done a decent job of that to this point,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said.

Second-to-last among 125 teams in FBS last year in allowing 303.4 rushing yards per game, the Panthers are allowing 186.3 yards per game. That may still seem like a lot of yards, but the total includes the 311 tacked on by FBS power Oregon two weeks ago. After the first two games against Charlotte and New Mexico State, the Panthers were allowing an average of 124 rushing yards per game.

Linebacker Joseph Peterson said the first thing written on the goals board each week is “Stop the run.”

“You’ve got that going into our head each week,” linebacker Joseph Peterson said. “The scheme is great, the coaches are doing a great job and the guys are finally holding each other accountable.”

Switching to its pass defense, after being tied for 119th in sacks with 12 last year, the Panthers already have eight through three games.

“Just some different things we are trying to do to cause those guys some indecision and get some more pressure on them right away,” Minter said.

Tied for last with just eight turnovers created last year, the Panthers already have seven this year.

The group is giving up 38.7 points per game, slightly less than last year’s 43.3 points per game. But not all of those points are the fault of the defense. The offense is responsible for 27 of the 116 points because of turnovers returned for touchdowns. There were other turnovers that put the defense in poor field position that resulted in 19 more points.

So, in what would be considered normal situations, the defense is holding its own and fulfilling the promise coach Trent Miles made in the offseason that it would play better either by recruiting better players or by using the experience gained to improve.

“They have gotten, bigger, stronger and just better,” Miles said.

The team did add experienced players in UAB transfers outside linebacker Alonzo McGee and safety Bobby Baker, and junior college transfer and inside linebacker Kaleb Ringer, who are starting and making plays. Baker had five takeaways in the first game. McGee has six tackles for loss and two sacks. Ringer has 15 tackles.

But Minter pointed to the players on the defensive line, each of whom are in their third year as starters at Georgia State, as perhaps the biggest difference in this year’s defense compared to previous year’s.

Nose tackle Jalen Lawrence and ends Shawayne Lawrence and Mackendy Cheridor, who moved from linebacker, are creating the moments of indecision that can lead to impact plays.

The team has three interceptions, matching last year’s total, and has broken up 15 passes, more than half of the 27 it had last season. Quarterbacks don’t have as much time to throw because Minter said he is being more aggressive in his play-calling, and the linemen are tying up blockers, which is freeing the linebackers and safeties to get into the backfield.