Georgia State coach Trent Miles doesn’t think there will be a hangover from last week’s 52-10 loss to Arkansas State when his team takes on South Alabama on Saturday.
His evidence is in the study-hall logs.
After the Panthers lost to Louisiana-Lafayette two weeks ago, a game in which they lost by three points, Miles said the team responded with lethargy during last week’s practices for Arkansas State
One player was late for a team meeting. Four didn’t complete their mandatory two hours of Sunday study hall.
“I really believe the disappointment of Louisiana-Lafayette, combined with not getting back into 5 a.m., it lingered on us,” Miles said.
A day after the loss to Red Wolves, every player on the team completed a minimum of three hours of study hall. Miles said the players’ focus is back, and they are ready to compete.
Miles uses something he learned when an assistant at Washington to explain part of what happened in the loss to the Red Wolves, Georgia State’s worst performance this season.
While with the Huskies, the coaching staff was invited to a think tank, the Pacific Institute, to discuss winning and losing. They learned that when a team comes close to winning, as the Panthers had in three of the four games before Arkansas State, and are not able to win, there can be a cumulative effect.
“A lot of times, subconsciously, the same mental focus and the same energy level isn’t quite there,” Miles said. “You are scared to feel that way again.”
Miles said the coaches thought the team practiced well last week, but he said mentally they weren’t as intense as they needed to be.
“We have to ensure it never happens again,” he said.
Shuffling: A.J. Kaplan will shift from right tackle to left tackle to replace Michael Ivory, who will miss the rest of the season with an injured right foot.
Miles said the coaches are considering moving Taylor Evans from right guard to right tackle, and using either sophomore Garrett Gorringe, sophomore Akil Hawkins or Jah-Mai Davidson at right guard. Steve Wolgamott is also being considered at tackle. Evans played tackle during Tuesday’s practice.
Kaplan, a senior, played left tackle some last season. Evans has played two games since returning from an elbow injury. Wolgamott started at right tackle in last week’s loss to Arkansas State. Gorringe has several starts at guard this year.
Surgery update: Outside linebacker Mackendy Cheridor had surgery on injured knee Monday and the procedure went well. Cheridor, a sophomore, sustained the injury in the loss at Washington. If he can't return this season, Miles said they will apply for a redshirt.
More injuries: Backup outside linebacker James Traylor, one of those who filled in for Cheridor, will miss Saturday's game because of concussion-like symptoms.
Jarrell Robinson, another outside linebacker, is questionable after injuring a shoulder during Tuesday’s practice. Should Robinson not play, the Panthers will be without three of the four best outside linebackers.
Miles said the team is now down to 65 healthy players, including those who are redshirting.
“We will play,” Miles said. “Somebody will line up.”
Crocker's play: Dontavis Crocker started for the first time against the Red Wolves, rushing 10 times for 27 yards.
“It’s been a long time coming to actually get on the field,” he said. “It felt good. I was grateful for it.”
Crocker, a senior, walked on to the team in 2012 after attending Hutchinson Community College. He could see more playing time this week, depending upon Marcus Caffey’s status (he did practice Tuesday) and how many carries Gerald Howse receives. Kyler Neal and Jonathan Jean-Bart are out for the season.
“It looks like I’ll have to step up now,” Crocker said.
Crocker had three carries for six yards in the second half against Washington. Those were his first carries at Georgia State.
Crocker said he never lost his focus as he waited for his chance to play.
“I’ve been focused since Day 1,” he said. “I knew days like this would come. I prepared for it.”
