THE KICKOFF
Georgia State returns home to the Georgia Dome to host St. Francis Saturday at 2 p.m.
The Panthers (2-6) have played back-to-back overtime games, earning a 27-20 victory over South Alabama two weeks ago before falling at UTSA, 17-14, Saturday in San Antonio, Texas.
Despite the heart-breaking loss to UTSA, the GSU defense turned in another solid performance, in allowing just one touchdown, three field goals and fewer than 300 yards of total offense, including a season-low 108 yards rushing.
St. Francis, coached by Mike Uremovich, is an NAIA program located in Joilet, Ill.
After earning a playoff berth in 2010, the Fighting Saints are enjoying an outstanding season with a 7-2 record. USF had won six in a row and climbed to No. 9 in the NAIA national poll before falling last Saturday at Grand View, 24-21. That score represented a season-low output for St. Francis, which has amassed some impressive offensive numbers, including an average of 47.2 points per game. Sophomore quarterback E.J. White, a two-time NAIA National Offensive Player of the Week, directs a balanced attack that averages 260.9 yards rushing and 224.6 yards passing per game. White has thrown 28 touchdown passes on the season.
Before coming to Georgia State, Panthers' tight ends coach Craig Harmon spent four seasons (2006-09) as an assistant coach at St. Francis, serving as offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator.
GAME COVERAGE
GSU Radio Network, including Atlanta flagship WCFO-AM Newstalk 1160 as well as WMLB-AM 1690. Announcers are Dave Cohen (play-by-play), Harper LeBel (analyst), Sam Crenshaw (sideline).
ANOTHER BIG DAY FOR JAKE MUASAU
Outside linebacker Jake Muasau enjoyed his most productive game of the season in leading the Georgia State defense against UTSA (Oct. 29). The senior with the famous mane collected a career-high 10 tackles with two sacks and an interception. He earned honorable mention recognition as National Linebacker Performer of the Week by the CFPA.
Muasau also made a huge defensive play in the Oct. 22 win over South Alabama when, on the game's final play in the second overtime, he pressured the quarterback into an errant throw that resulted in Mark Hogan's game-ending interception. Over the last two games, he has 16 tackles, three sacks and an interception.
MORE EXPLOSIVE PLAYS FOR WILSON
Over the last two games, sophomore wide receiver Albert Wilson has caught three touchdown passes of more than 50 yards. After hauling in scoring passes of 78 yards and 64 yards against South Alabama, the sophomore from Port St. Lucie, Fla., added a 54-yard touchdown pass at UTSA. Those are the three longest scoring passes in GSU history.
On the season, Wilson has six receptions of more than 45 yards, four of them for touchdowns, and he averages 26.4 yards per catch. His receptions of 40+ yards:
48-yard TD vs. Clark Atlanta
54-yard completion vs. Jacksonville State
53-yard completion vs. Jacksonville State
78-yard TD vs. South Alabama
64-yard TD vs. South Alabama
54-yard TD vs. UTSA
HONOR FOR HUBBARD
Freshman punter Matt Hubbard averaged 47.0 yards on five punts against UTSA (Oct. 29), including a 64-yard punt that is the longest in Georgia State history.
He earned honorable mention recognition as National Punter Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA).
On the season, the Peachtree City, Ga., native is averaging 41.5 yards per punt.
RUNNING GAME GETS GOING
Georgia State's running game has shown improvement over the last three games as the Panthers have averaged better than 200 yards.
In the overtime win over South Alabama (Oct. 22), GSU rushed 43 times for 220 yards, including a school-record 136 yards by running back Donald Russell.
Against South Carolina State (Oct. 15), the Panthers rushed for 244 yards on 45 attempts, both highs in Georgia State's history. The previous rushing record was 232 yards last season vs. Savannah State. Most of the damage was done by the trio of quarterback Kelton Hill (94 yards), Russell (85) and running back Travis Evans (62), who combined for 241 of the 244 yards.
RUSSELL BOOSTS RUNNING GAME
Running back Donald Russell is the team's leading rusher with 495 yards on 100 carries, an average of 4.9 yards per carry.
The junior transfer from Kentucky has shown a penchant for finding the end zone. He has played in seven games this season and has scored at least one touchdown in each of them. He leads the team with nine touchdowns, which is also the GSU career record.
WILLIAMS IS MR. CONSISTENCY
Georgia State has played 19 games in its history, and sophomore Danny Williams has caught at least one pass in each one of them. The sophomore from Orlando, Fla., is the leading receiver in GSU annals with 77 receptions for 988 yards and six touchdowns in his career.
