Georgia State’s quarterbacks, interviewed on different days, have a similar reaction when asked to describe last season.
Ben McLane turns his head slightly as he thinks about his answer: “It was a learning experience for everybody.”
Ronnie Bell is more succinct: “Rough.”
Yes it was, and that duo will bring some of the scars of 21 interceptions and 27 sacks with them this season under a new coach in Trent Miles with a new staff, new schemes and new competition in junior-college signee Clay Chastain. But both said they learned valuable lessons and both seem optimistic about the possibilities this season despite those changes and step-up in the level of competition from the Colonial Athletic Association and FCS to the Sun Belt and FBS.
“As a team, we have a very good shot to be extremely good,” McLane said.
It was a surprising statement from the former Brookwood star, considering after last season’s 1-10 record. McLane started nine games, with Bell leading the remaining two. Because Georgia State trailed early and often in most games, neither had a chance to get comfortable.
Sometimes the team trailed because of the quarterbacks. Mistakes multiplied. McLane had issues with fumbles and Bell with interceptions. Sometimes they ended up in situations where they were being asked to win games instead of simply manage games, which is what is expected of many redshirt freshmen.
From the lows, such as fumbling numerous times against Tennessee, to the highs, such as a 93-yard touchdown pass against Old Dominion, McLane said he learned to keep going.
“Things are going to happen,” he said. “Things are going to go bad.”
That steady approach is what quarterbacks coach Luke Huard said he wants to see.
“When a team struggles, things can snowball,” Huard said. “I’ve told our quarterbacks I want their body language to be the same through good plays, through bad plays, through touchdown drives, through three and outs, through turnovers.”
Huard likes what he’s seen so far. He said all three players will look him in the eye during instruction and seem to try to apply what they are being taught.
The new offense is constantly referred to as “multiple,” meaning there are numerous formations, reads and checks that must be made on every play. Miles said that often the quarterbacks will approach the line with more than one play they can call, depending upon what they see.
Still, Bell said this offense has simpler reads than the shotgun-formation, read-option offense preferred by former coordinator John Bond.
“This year everything seems smooth,” Bell said. “Our mindset is different. We are more focused.”
That plays into the biggest lesson said Bell said he learned last season, which was to play faster and move quicker.
Though fans saw McLane and Bell last season, their potential can’t be forecast with all the changes in the offseason. Chastain is the third wild card after signing from Georgia Military College, where he passed for 1,907 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. Coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski’s offense will offer the former Harrison High standout new challenges.
He said he is used to playing in a shotgun formation, so moving back under center will be new, and he said making changes based upon the defensive setup will also be something he hasn’t done.
Still, like McLane and Bell he seems confident in the offense’s potential.
“I like the scheme. It’s different than anything I’ve ever done before,” he said. “I know it’s very smart and it’s going to mess with defenses.”
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