ATLANTA--Preparations for the encore season of Georgia State football begin this week as head coach Bill Curry's Panthers officially report for preseason camp Wednesday and then open practice Thursday.
Georgia State, coming off a 6-5 record in its inaugural campaign, opens the 2011 season by hosting Clark Atlanta on Friday, Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Georgia Dome.
Per NCAA rules, 95 players will participate in preseason camp, with additional players joining the roster when classes begin. Most of the players have been in Atlanta for summer classes, but several newcomers will report for the first time Wednesday. GSU returns 51 letterwinnners and 21 starters from that inaugural team.
Thursday's first practice is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. at the GSU Practice Complex. Practice continues with workouts on Friday and Saturday at 8:45 a.m., followed by 3:30 p.m. Sunday and 8:45 a.m. Monday. The first two-a-days are scheduled for next Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 8:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Although Georgia State is now in its second season of competition, one thing that will be new for the Panthers is the completion of the indoor amenities at the GSU Practice Complex. The Panthers will be using their new locker room, athletic training room, equipment room and meeting space for the first time Thursday.
Top players returning for the Panthers on offense include wide receiver Danny Williams, a sophomore from Orlando, Fla., who led GSU with 54 catches for 649 yards and five touchdowns; sophomore receiver/return specialist Albert Wilson (Port St. Lucie, Fla.), who averaged 93.2 all-purpose yards per game; and senior tight end Arthur Williams (Miami, Fla.), who had 16 catches and three touchdowns. Three senior starters anchor the offensive line in center Ben Jacoby (Buford, Ga.), guard Joseph Gilbert (Cartersville, Ga.) and tackle Clyde Yandell (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.). Sophomore Bo Schlechter (Wellington, Fla.) enters camp as the top quarterback.
Highlighting the GSU defense are senior defensive end Christo Bilukidi (Ottawa, Ontario), who led the team five sacks; senior outside linebacker Jake Muasau (Sierra Vista, Ariz.), the GSU leader with 8.5 tackles for loss; and senior safety Brandon Jones (Decatur, Ga.), the Panthers' top returning tackler with 65 hits.
Season and individual game tickets are on sale now. Call 866-GA-STATE or visit GeorgiaStateSports.com.
