Three storylines
Hope the special-teams play is better. Coach Bill Curry said there would be numerous changes to the units that allowed one blocked punt, one partially blocked punt, committed at least three penalties and allowed too many return yards in last weekend's 40-17 loss to Old Dominion. The special teams gave up 14 points, a margin too much for many teams to overcome. Look for more veterans on the return and coverage teams.
Establish a running game. The Panthers fell behind too quickly last week to give Travis Evans or Donald Russell time to get into a rhythm. The duo combined for 82 of the team's 85 yards. The team averages a meager 115.5 yards per game this season. Establishing a running game early will take some of the pressure of the Panthers' quarterbacks, both of whom looked shaky last week.
Improve the run defense. One of the biggest question marks from last year's team isn't showing much improvement. The Panthers are allowing 208.5 yards per game, including 277 last week. They allowed 187.4 last season. Because it lost starting quarterback Marques Ivory to a broken leg in its season opener, Jacksonville State is struggling, averaging 20.5 points per game. Allowing them to run the ball is a sure-fire panacea.
A Georgia State win would ...
- Be its first over Jacksonville State.
- Be the second road win in the program's short history.
A Jacksonville State win would ...
- Be its second over Georgia State.
- Be its second of the season.
Keep an eye on ...
For Georgia State: Bo Schlechter. He said he has worked on staying calm in the pocket, something he couldn't do in the loss to Old Dominion. The lack of composure affected his performance, resulting in him completing nine of his 27 attempts with an interception.
For Jacksonville State: Running back Washaun Ealey. Ealey, who enrolled at Jacksonville State after he left Georgia, is the team's leading rusher with 84 yards on 24 carries. Curry said Ealey is, "a big-league back. He's incredibly gifted."
The numbers game
16 The Gamecocks’ rank. A GSU win would be its first over a ranked team.
167 The Gamecocks’ total number of rushing yards in last year’s victory.
The history book
Series record: 1-0
Last meeting: Jacksonville State won 34-27 on Sept. 18, 2010. Kelton Hill threw an interception in the end zone to end the Panthers' hopes of defeating the Gamecocks in overtime. The Panthers rallied with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to force the extra period.
The bottom line
If Georgia State hopes to pull the upset, it can’t commit the same mistakes it made last week on special teams or run defense. If the Panthers play a smart, clean game, Jacksonville State can be beaten. The Panthers’ special teams have been mostly solid until last week. Their run defense is another matter.
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