ATLANTA--As Georgia State (2-6) hosts St. Francis (7-2) Saturday at the Georgia Dome, the Panthers look to complement their improved defensive play with a more consistent offensive effort.
Saturday's game kicks off at 2 p.m., and live radio coverage is available on the Georgia State Radio Network, including Atlanta flagship Newstalk 1160 (WCFO-AM) as well as WMLB-AM 1690.
"The only thing that is obvious is that we are inconsistent, not in effort, but in execution," said head coach Bill Curry at his weekly press conference. "We miss a block at just the wrong time or miss a check. When we got to overtime the other day, we did some incredible things. It seems like as the game wears on we get more and more tense rather than relax and play well. We work hard not to do those things. But it's a fact and there's no denying it and there is no simple explanation. We just have to keep plugging until we can execute our offense and do what we're supposed to."
The Panthers are coming off back-to-back overtime games, including last Saturday's heart-breaking 17-14 loss at UTSA, in which the Roadrunners tied the game with 24 seconds left in regulation and then won it in the first overtime.
While the Panthers struggled to maintain their offensive production in the second half, quarterback Kelton Hill continued to show his big-play potential, hooking up with wide receiver Albert Wilson for a 54-yard touchdown pass that gave GSU a 14-0 first-half lead. Over the last two games, that duo has produced the three longest scoring passes in Georgia State's brief history, including touchdown passes of 78 and 64 yards the previous game against South Alabama.
For the third straight week, the GSU defense kept the Panthers in the game, allowing a season-low 108 yards rushing against UTSA and 297 yards of total offense, the fewest allowed since the opener against Clark Atlanta.
"There has been a level of intensity that the defense has generated that is what you hope for from a defense," said Curry. "That's how they practice and how they play. There have been specific people that have stepped up. Brandon [Jones] coming back [from injury] has helped a lot. Some people growing up and performing better and better. One guy who has improved enormously is Terrance Woodard, our nose guard. He's really stepped up and improved his game. Mike Hall has become more consistent and intense. Our young corners have all played well. So it's been a team effort."
St. Francis is an NAIA program located in Joliet, Ill. The Fighting Saints are enjoying the most successful season in their history with a 7-2 record and a No. 16 national ranking.
"They are an outstanding football team, having the best season of their history," said Curry. "We know a little more about them than we might because we hired Craig Harmon, our tight ends coach, from St. Francis.
"Their quarterback, E.J. White, runs and throws well," he continued. "They have good wide receivers and an outstanding running back. Their defense is led by two linebackers named Tondini, the two leading tacklers. It's a 3-4 defense, they line up and play it very straight. On special teams, they are not complicated. They've had difficulties similar to our difficulties. We're looking forward to playing Saint Francis. We're looking forward to playing again on our home field."
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. The Fighting Saints average an astonishing 47.2 points per game, including five games of 50 or more points.
White, a sophomore and 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.
Leading rusher Garen Demery has 708 yards and 13 TD, but he is not expected to play due to injury. Receivers Lexus Jackson, Desmond Page and Elliot Allen each have at least 30 catches, 400 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Allen has also returned both a punt and a kickoff for scores.
Top tackler Adam Tondini has 82 hits, including 13.5 tackles for loss, and the Saints have grabbed 12 interceptions.
--30--
