Georgia State’s defense got a confidence boost last week that it hopes will carry forward to Saturday’s season finale against Texas State at the Georgia Dome.
For just the second time this season, the Panthers held an opponent scoreless in a half. Clemson, which was averaging 29.8 points and 407.3 yards per game, didn’t score in the second half of last week’s 28-0 victory over the Panthers. The team’s first shutout, oddly, came in the first half against Washington, the other power team the Panthers played this season.
“Hopefully it’s something we can build on and put together another performance together this week that we can appreciate,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said.
Minter said the team did a good job of not giving up big plays in the second half, something that’s plagued the team throughout the season is allowing averages of 42.4 points and 487.1 yards per game. The Tigers’ longest plays were an 18-yard run and 18-yard pass.
He said he wished the group could have done a better job in the first half. Coach Trent Miles said that responsibility falls more to the offense and special teams.
The offense turned over the ball three times and the punt team had a short kick that put the defense in difficult situations. The Tigers’ average starting field position was on Georgia State’s 46-yard line in the first quarter, which led to 14 points.
“I thought they competed hard, competed well and thought they had a good plan,” Miles said of the defense. “I also recognize that coach (Dabo) Swinney and Clemson didn’t go out with a purpose to run it up.”
Minter said the key to keeping the good play going is to limit the big plays, continue to mix up the fronts and coverages so that offenses can’t get comfortable, and to communicate.
“I told them that if they get anything out of it, it doesn’t matter who you play, if you do what you are supposed to do and execute, don’t give up big plays then you can put a respectable defense on the field,” he said.
Sullivan shines: One of the standouts on the defense last week was freshman safety Chandon Sullivan, who got his first interception.
The moment came in the first quarter off a deflected pass.
“I read the quarterback’s eyes and he led me to the ball,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan said he was thinking “pick six” but his cleats got stuck in the ground and he wasn’t able to return the interception for a touchdown.
With 37 tackles, a pass broken up, a quarterback hurry and the interception, Sullivan has been one of the bright spots on the team’s young defense. He has started games at cornerback and free safety, which he expects to be the spot he competes at next season.
During the upcoming offseason, Sullivan said he hopes to continue to learn the playbook and to increase his strength and weight.
Injury updates: The team emerged mostly unscathed, according to Miles.
Cornerback B.J. Clay is questionable for this week’s game with a rib injury. Outside linebacker James Traylor, who has missed several games, is going to try to return but Miles said it is doubtful. Leading tackler and linebacker Joseph Peterson, who missed last week’s game, practiced on Monday and could return for the finale.
