Taz Bateman was the standout performer in Georgia State’s scrimmage on Saturday.
The junior running back had a 69-yard touchdown run and approached 100 yards rushing. Bateman is one of four running backs (five when Kendrick Dorn returns from rehab on his knee) that are competing for playing time. Bateman broke through the middle of the line and outran every player up the middle of the field for his score. Bateman missed six games last year after sustaining an arm injury in the season's second game.
Coach Trent Miles stressed to the players on Thursday that the team was deep enough to have competition at every position in the first scrimmage.
Another one of the positions with several players fighting is quarterback with Emiere Scaife, Conner Manning and Aaron Winchester the leaders in a four-man battle to take over from Nick Arbuckle.
Manning, a transfer from Utah, and Scaife had moments on Saturday.
Manning had a 31-yard pass to tight Ari Werts that set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Kyler Neal.
Scaife came back to lead a 74-yard touchdown drive that included a 26-yard pass to Mattavius Scott, who is having a good spring. The drive included runs of 6 and 11 yards by Neal, and 3-yard touchdown run by Demarcus Kirk.
Michael Shaw, moved from rush end to strongside linebacker, had two sacks. Defensive end Mackendy Cheridor added a sack and defensive lineman Tevin Jones had a tackle for loss and caused a fumble. Safety Trent Hill had an interception.
The Panthers went 6-7 last season and return nine starters on defense and seven on offense.
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