Georgia State’s defense was on the field for a school-record 102 plays in Saturday’s 35-28 loss to Troy at the Georgia Dome.
The damage showed in two plays: cramps (several players had to leave in the second half) and in the success of Troy’s running game. The Trojans, who had averaged 144.2 rushing yards per game, totaled 249 on 59 carries.
“You don’t notice that you are out there for 102 plays,” linebacker Tarris Batiste said.
The team prepared during the week by practicing at a fast tempo. Defensive lineman Shawayne Lawrence said it actually was faster than how Troy operated.
But the pace still took its toll.
“Our training staff did a great job of keeping them hydrated and getting guys back out on the field,” Georgia State coach Trent Miles said. “If you are not very deep, and you have to play over 100 snaps during the game, cramping is a natural thing that is going to happen.”
The Trojans rushed for 137 yards in the second half.
“That’s (102) a lot of plays to be out there for the defense,” Batiste said. “I think we stopped them at times, and at times they got their runs.”
Running woes: While Troy had little trouble running the ball, Georgia State rushed for 52 yards on 26 carries. That total included a 22-yard run by Ronnie Bell at the end of the first half.
Four times this season the Panthers have failed to rush for more than 72 yards, including a program-low 15 yards in last week’s loss at Alabama.
Travis Evans led the team Saturday with 30 yards on 10 carries.
The running game was hindered by an offensive line that sustained several injuries, one that appeared serious. During the first half, center Cade Yates (ankle) left for the rest of the game. He was followed by guard Tim Wynn, who later returned. Tackle Ulrick John also sustained an injury toward the end of the game.
“A lot of guys went down, so we had a lot of backups in,” quarterback Ronnie Bell said. “They have to be ready to step up when their time is called. Overall, they did a good job.”
Blocked punt: Demarius Matthews came close to blocking a punt in the first quarter, barely missing the kick. He came through in the third quarter, getting his left hand on the kick.
Danny Williams recovered it on the 31-yard line.
On the first attempt, Matthews said he was lined up on the left edge. On the block, he came through closer to the middle. He said he a good jump on the snap and beat the blocker on the edge.
It was Georgia State’s second blocked punt in three games. C.J. Scott blocked the first one, which came against Jacksonville State.
Etc.: Linebacker Joseph Peterson tied a school record with 16 tackles. … Robert Ferguson had eight tackles and has 156 in his career, one shy of the career mark (157) set by Mark Hogan. … Bell's 370 yards passing was the third-highest in school history. He is the first Panthers quarterback to pass for at least 300 yards in two games. … Albert Wilson caught seven passes for 153 yards and added two kickoff returns for 119 yards. He has 5,139 all-purpose yards in his career. It was his 11th game with at least 100 yards receiving and seventh with more than 200 all-purpose yards.
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