Khadrice Rollins
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The first quarter has not been kind to Georgia State’s offense. For the most part, it’s been downright cruel.
The Panthers (0-3) have had just one scoring drive in the opening quarter and have had two drives end with turnovers, one end with a turnover on downs and three end with punts. GSU’s defense has scored as many first-quarter points as the offense, and that is part of the reason the team is winless.
On Saturday, the Panthers will need to put points on the board against Appalachian State (2-2), which scored 44 points against them in 2014 and 37 last year. The Mountaineers led 17-0 after the first quarter in 2015, so scoring early will be imperative if GSU doesn’t want the game to get out of hand.
“We’re trying to tone more things up,” running back Kyler Neal said. “Trying to get more physical, help our techniques and pay real close attention to the details, because those are the little things that have been killing us.”
As quarterback Conner Manning continues to grow comfortable in his new role as the starter, he said the Panthers need to sustain drives by converting manageable third downs and avoiding penalties.
“We just have to focus on our execution,” wide receiver Robert Davis said. “Our execution has been lacking, but I feel like (against) Wisconsin, we picked it up a little bit, and we’ll carry that momentum into this week.”
Manning should have an easier time picking up first downs as wide receiver Penny Hart returns from a hamstring injury that kept him out the past two games. Along with Davis, Manning has a pair of reliable outside threats who should help with spreading out defenses to create better passing lanes and make running the ball a bit easier as well.
With a proven weapon in Hart returning to the offense, the Panthers should also have a better chance of retaining possession, which could help create rhythm and also greatly benefit the defense. GSU has had less than 25 minutes of possession in every game, meaning the defense has been stuck on the field most of the time.
If the offense can get going early Saturday, it could not only put pressure on Appalachian State’s defense, but also allow GSU’s defense the chance to rest, attack the Mountaineers and force turnovers, like the Panthers did in the first quarter against Ball State.
Coach Trent Miles pointed at losing last season’s conference player of the year, quarterback Nick Arbuckle, as a reason the offense hasn’t immediately clicked. But he isn’t looking to make excuses.
“We just have to do what we do, and do it better,” Miles said.
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