Georgia State’s football team began the next phase in its development on Monday with the first spring practice this year. The Panthers will continue until April 11, when a scrimmage will be held at Panthersville.
This year’s practices will focus on fundamentals and improving the team’s ability to execute. It’s a subtle difference from the theme of last year’s fall practices in which the need to have more energy was worked on weekly during a 1-11 season.
Georgia State will open the 2015 season against Charlotte at the Georgia Dome on Sept. 2 or 4.
“Execution fuels emotion,” coach Trent Miles said. “When you are just starting a program, and haven’t had a lot of success, the first rule is to teach the guys to compete. You have to have emotion to compete. They know how to compete, so now it’s to the next phase, which is to execute.”
Miles was mostly pleased with how the team executed on Monday. Playing without pads, the team had few busted plays, fumbles or bad snaps.
“Their hearts and minds are in the right place,” Miles said. “Focusing on what you actually have to do to win. We feel pretty good.”
Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said they are going to keep things very simple the first few weeks of spring.
The offense won’t run any motions or shifts. The defense won’t use any blitzes.
Instead, the coaches are going to hone the basics such as taking on blocks, setting edges on defense, open-field tackles, making plays on the ball, protecting the ball and running routes.
“That way, during the season when you get some injuries these guys have had a lot of reps at that stuff,” Minter said.
Running backs coach: Monday was also Miles' first day in his new role as running backs coach. He split some time with the group while also walking around the practice fields observing the different position groups.
There are a lot of new running backs this year. Kyler Neal, who suffered a season-ending knee injury at Washington last season, is the only hold over. Joining him are junior college transfer Kendrick Dorn and UAB transfer Demarcus Kirk.
“Neal, Dorn and Kirk looked good and can do some things,” Miles said. “Still a lot to work on with little things: holding the ball, eyes in pass protection, running routes.”
The Panthers averaged 96.3 rushing yards per game last year, among the worst of the 125 teams that play on the FBS level.
Injuries: Tight end Joel Ruiz is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair his PCL this week and is expected to miss at least six months. Miles said Ruiz, a senior, could return by the season-opening game against Charlotte on Sept. 2 or Sept. 4.
The injury occurred during practices before last year’s season finale against Texas State.
The surgery wasn’t performed in the time between that game and the start of Monday’s practice because the hope was it would heal. Miles said it’s an injury that typically heals without surgery.
Ruiz was one of Nick Arbuckle’s top targets last year with 39 receptions for 478 yards and three touchdowns. Back-up tight end Keith Rucker is also out for the spring with an injury, leaving Bill Teknipp, Jonathan Lytle and former quarterback Clay Chastain as the team’s tight ends.
Facility: A firm's bid was selected by the university last week to construct the strength and conditioning facility adjacent to the practice building on MLK Drive SE.
The firm’s name wasn’t disclosed.
The next steps are for Georgia State and the firm to agree to a contract and for the funds to be allocated to the project.
The facility is still scheduled to be constructed before the start of fall practice.
