Three storylines
Can the running game continue to improve? The Panthers, with their starting offensive line intact for the first time since this season's second game, rushed for a school-record 244 yards on 45 attempts Saturday against South Carolina State. South Alabama has allowed 154.7 rushing yards per game this season.
Will the passing game improve? It couldn't be much worse than Saturday's effort, in which the Panthers completed just six passes and threw three interceptions. Drew Little, the best passer of the trio of quarterbacks, won't play Saturday because of injuries. Kelton Hill has been named the starter. Hill is a dynamic rusher, but hasn't had many chances to showcase his passing skills.
Can the Panthers' defense make a stop when needed? It couldn't in last week's loss to South Carolina State. Trailing by three points with a little less than seven minutes remaining, all the Panthers needed to do was make a stop and give the offense a chance. Instead, the Bulldogs went 80 yards, all by running the ball, scored a touchdown and took more than five minutes off the clock.
A Georgia State win would ...
- Snap a five-game losing streak.
- Give it a chance to have a winning season.
A South Alabama win would ...
- Be its third consecutive and fifth this season. The most recent wins have come by a combined six points.
- Be its second consecutive over Georgia State.
Keep an eye on ...
For Georgia State: Donald Russell. The Panthers' success seems to rest on his legs. He and Travis Evans have provided the most consistency of any area on the team. Russell averages 4.6 yards per carry and has scored seven touchdowns. He, Evans and quarterback Kelton Hill kept the Panthers in last week's game at South Carolina State.
For South Alabama: Kendall Houston. He rushed for 175 yards and a touchdown in last year's game between the two teams and received GSU coach Bill Curry's praise this week. He leads the Jaguars with 418 yards this season and has scored six touchdowns.
The numbers game
2 Losses for South Alabama in its three-year history. The losses were to N.C. State and Kent State this season.
9 Number of touchdown passes the teams have combined to throw this season. Georgia State has five.
The history book
Series record: South Alabama leads 1-0.
Last meeting: The Jaguars won 39-34 on Oct. 30, 2010. Kendall Houston rushed for 175 yards to lead South Alabama to the win. Drew Little passed for two touchdowns and rushed for two more for Georgia State.
The bottom line
It has become a familiar refrain: If Georgia State can run the ball and avoid turnovers, mistakes and penalties, it can win this game. Last week’s game showed the Panthers can consistently run the ball. South Alabama’s offense isn’t as explosive as some teams the Panthers have played in recent weeks, and its pass defense can vulnerable, which could help Hill.
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