Georgia State's football team entered the 2011 season with many questions that never got answered.
After a 3-8 record punctuated by another offseason of disciplinary problems, those questions haven't gone away as the Panthers begin practice for the 2012 season on Wednesday. They have less than four weeks before they open the season by hosting S.C. State on Aug. 30 at the Georgia Dome. They will then dive into their first and last Colonial Athletic Association season in a schedule that should be much more difficult than last year's. The Panthers are joining the Sun Belt next year.
Here are five familiar topics to watch as the Panthers kick off the 2012 season.
1. Will there be stability at quarterback? Because of suspensions, injuries or ineffectiveness, Georgia State used three quarterbacks last year. Surprising many, redshirt freshman Ben McLane was named the starter coming out of spring because offensive coordinator John Bond said McLane consistently put the team in good positions.
"Ben McLane, while not proven in games, has shown he can take responsibility and be a leader," coach Bill Curry said.
Kelton Hill, who Curry said showed his "incredible talent" last year while posting 1,630 yards in eight games, needs to improve his accuracy (54 percent last year) and ball security to compete for the starter's job, according to Curry.
2. Will the offensive line come together? Another group hurt by injuries, the line must now replace four starters who graduated. The injuries did allow the line to build depth, but it will need to improve chemistry. Grant King, who has started 22 consecutive games, Michael Davis, who missed the last eight games because of a broken ankle, and Ulrick John will anchor the unit. There are a few true freshmen who could push for playing time.
Davis said the line is much stronger than it was last year after a full offseason in strength and conditioning coach Ben Pollard's workout program. It needs to be. Georgia State scored 34 points in the fourth quarter last season. Improving that total will provide evidence that the line has improved its strength, endurance and technique.
"The offensive line will come together," Curry said. "I say that not because I'm hoping they'll come together but because of the hard work. The offensive line has always had a reasonably good attitude, this time they have a terrific attitude. I don't think it will be automatic. I think it will be a progression."
3. Can the defense improve? Last year's unit gave up 31.2 points and 403.3 yards per game. It had trouble stopping the run — 180.5 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns -- and trouble finishing games -- 123 points allowed in the fourth quarter, the worst of any quarter. Defensive coordinator John Thompson, who tried many schemes, resigned to accept the same job at Arkansas State. Anthony Midget was promoted into his first coordinator's role and decided to continue teaching the 4-2-5 system, which Thompson elected to install before he left. The goal is try to take advantage of GSU's speed.
Midget's job hasn't gotten easier with the dismissal of three players projected to start: linebacker Dexter Moody, who led the team with 65 tackles last year, and ends A.J. Portee and Qwontez Mallory. Those losses leave him with linebacker Mark Hogan as the only returning starter among the front seven. The secondary is the strongest it has ever been with three starters returning.
"The defense has to grow up in a hurry," Curry said. "We have worked since the day the last season was over to address each of those areas."
4. Will there be any improvement in special teams? The Panthers were worse than their opponents in kick returns, punt returns, punt coverage and field goals. They committed penalties in all areas that affected field position. Curry said the team has been working to improve special teams.
"We have to convince the guys the way to fix the little details: don't hit a guy in the back," he said.
Curry said he was part of last year's problem. He didn't want to play some starters on the different units. He said he won't shy away from doing that this year. He said some starters, notably Emmanuel Ogbuehi, have asked to be put onto the special teams units.
Matt Ehasz will likely be one of the specialists. Kicker Christian Benvenuto remains suspended after allegedly being involved in a bar fight.
5. Will focus be an issue considering this is the last year of the CAA, and Curry hasn't announced if he will lead the team into the Sun Belt next year?
Curry said focus shouldn't be an issue for several reasons: First, every season has been unusual so this one shouldn't be any different. The program played its first season three years ago. The second season consisted of a patch-work schedule of opponents. Now, the third, the Panthers' only one in the CAA, is at hand.
Second, Curry said the team finally has a senior class that has experienced different things, but the main point is they are still at Georgia State, "determined to make this thing work."
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