Georgia State got one piece of good news in Saturday’s 38-17 defeat to South Alabama: they had an average announced attendance of 15,577 this season.
The NCAA requires FBS teams to average at least 15,000 fans once in a two-year rolling window. The NCAA rule can be met by announced attendance or actual attendance. Georgia State’s actual attendance this year was 5,969, according to game-by-game data provided by Georgia State throughout the year.
That the Panthers met the goal wasn’t a surprise: athletic director Cheryl Levick has said numerous times that the team would hit the mark. The team used a charitable ticket program in which some donors purchased tickets that were then given to those in need.
Fumbles
After Travis Evans and Kyler Neal each lost a fumble in the first quarter, Miles elected to go with wide receivers Parris Lee and Albert Wilson at running back the rest of the game.
The Panthers finished with 24 yards on 25 carries. Lee, who has played the position in the past, carried six times for 13 yards. Wilson had six carries for nine yards.
Neal, a freshman, also lost a fumble in last week’s loss at Arkansas State.
Receptions: The Panthers had two receivers surpass 100 yards in a game for the second time in school history. Freshman Robert Davis had four receptions for a career-high 110 yards. It was the second time this season he has at least 100 yards receiving. Davis caught an 80-yard pass, which was the longest for the team this season and longest non-scoring play in school history. However, he also dropped at least two passes that hit him on the hands and he was flagged for a personal foul. Davis described the day and season as a learning experience.
Wilson had six receptions for 101 yards, despite South Alabama focusing on trying to stop him. He also had a 62-yard punt return, the longest of his storied career.
“We did everything we could to stop him, and he still made a bunch of plays,” South Alabama coach Joey Jones said.
What's next: At least three of the team's 26 seniors – offensive tackle Ulrick John, defensive lineman Theo Agnew and Wilson – said they are going to start preparing to try to make it to the NFL. None said they are sure where they are going to work out as part of their preparations.
Wilson said he has been invited to two All-Star games, notably the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. The game will be played Jan. 25, 2014.
Jeppesen's role: Sean Jeppesen played a lot of snaps at fullback and linebacker for the fourth consecutive game.
He scored the team’s last touchdown on a 1-yard plunge and also notched two tackles.
Jeppesen, a junior, said he was surprised that he is playing so much at linebacker in the past few games. he said he doesn’t care which one he plays next year because he enjoys both of them.
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