TrueBlueDrew
Heisman
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RE: 2019 Orlando Sentinel Countdown
Called it!
#121 Georgia State
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/c...story.html
Quote:Georgia State coach Shawn Elliott has the pieces in place to field a fun offense, but the defense, a relatively young roster and extensive changes on the coaching staff could make it difficult for the team to bounce back quickly from a 2-10 season.
Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country entering the 2019 season. The Sentinel staff will take a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 130 to our projected No. 1 team.
Today at No. 121: Georgia State
Coach: Shawn Elliott (9-15, entering third season; 10-20 overall)
2018 record: 2-10, 1-7 in Sun Belt; fifth in East Division
Look back: Former South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier hoped Shawn Elliott would replace him when he retired. The Gamecocks ultimately chose Will Muschamp and Elliott landed at Georgia State, where he overachieved by posting a 7-5 record and leading his team to a Cure Bowl win in 2017. A bit of regression was expected in Year 2 following some player departures, but the Panthers surprised again by taking a bigger step back than expected.
The team ranked No. 121 out of 129 NCAA-recognized FBS teams in scoring defense (37.4 points allowed per game) and No. 103 in scoring offense (23.9 points per game) last season.
Injuries didn't help, forcing Georgia State to rely on a lot of freshmen and sophomores. The team closed 2018 with a seven game losing streak.
Offensive starters returning: 8
Offensive starters lost: 3
Defensive starters returning: 7
Defensive starters lost: 4
Key losses: WR Penny Hart, RB DeMarcus Kirk, OL Gabe Mobley, LB Michael Shaw, LB Chase Middleton, S DeAndre Applin
Top returnees: QB Dan Ellington, OL Hunter Atkinson, OL Shamarious Gilmore, RB Tra Barnett, WR Cornelius McCoy, DE Terry Thomas, LB Ed Curney, P Brandon Wright
Strengths: Georgia State quarterback Dan Ellington returns to lead the Panthers’ offense. He will get help from veteran offensive linemen Hunter Atkinson and Shamarious Gilmore.
During his first season at Georgia State, Ellington led the Panthers in passing (2,119 yards) and rushing (625 yards) while accounting for 17 touchdowns (12 passing, 5 rushing). Running back Tra Barnett and receiver Cornelius McCoy are among Ellington’s top options. The offense features some talented underclassmen who could make strides during the offseason.
Defensive end Terry Thomas, an all-Sun Belt selection, and senior linebacker Ed Curney, who led the team with 81 tackles, return for Georgia State. While the defense struggled last season, the unit forced turnovers and won the Panthers’ spring game, an encouraging sign of progress.
First-team all-Sun Belt punter Brandon Wright can help bail the Panthers out of trouble if the offense stalls next season.
Weaknesses: Georgia State lost the most talented all-around athlete from last season’s team in receiver Penny Hart, a three-time all-Sun Belt selection for the Panthers as well as a Freshman All-American and the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year in 2015. He finished his career as the fourth-leading receiver in Sun Belt Conference history with 2,950 receiving yards. He also had 202 receptions, which ranked seventh in Sun Belt history.
The Panthers are adapting to working with six new assistant coaches who got their first chance to mentor players on the field during spring football. The group includes offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Brad Glenn, offensive line coach Thomas Austin, running backs coach Jimmy Smith, defensive line coach Brad Lawing, cornerbacks coach Aairon Savage and inside linebackers/special-teams coach Shiel Wood. It could take some time for players to adapt to their new coaches.
Last season, the defense struggled while relying on a lot of inexperienced players. The team got no push up front, ranking No. 128 nationally in pass-efficiency defense and No. 123 in rushing defense. Players at every level of the defense have hard-earned experience, but there is no guarantee that will translate to improved performance.
Outlook: Elliott was upbeat after the spring game, but it will take a lot more work to get the team back on track and competing for a bowl bid.
“It’s been a really good spring. We’ve got a great group of guys. We really have a good feeling about our players and our staff, so we are headed in the right direction,” Elliott said in an interview with GeorgiaStateSports.com. “Now the real works starts.”
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