Date: Saturday, Sept. 11
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Georgia Dome
Media: GSU Radio Network, including Atlanta flagship WCFO-AM 1160 and GSU station WRAS-FM 88.5
Tickets: Click here or call 866.GA.STATE

ATLANTA-What can they do for an encore?

With the fanfare of their inaugural game behind them, the Georgia State Panthers now turn their attention to game two as GSU hosts Lambuth on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. at the Georgia Dome.

Saturday's game will feature a "Patriots Day" theme in honor of Sept. 11, including ticket specials for active military, veterans and first responders.

The football era at Georgia State began with last Thursday's 41-7 victory over Shorter before 30,237 fans at the Georgia Dome.

"It was a marvelous way to start, but now we've got to get our players' feet back on the ground and reacquaint them with reality," said head coach Bill Curry. "We've got to get ready to play a very good Lambuth team."

Lambuth, an NAIA program, opened its season with a 34-19 loss at Arkansas Tech, but the Eagles entered the year ranked No. 7 nationally in the NAIA coaches' poll.

Last season, Lambuth posted a 12-1 record, including an undefeated regular season and a berth in the NAIA quarterfinals. Following the season, head coach Hugh Freeze moved to an assistant coaching position at Arkansas State, and Ron Dickerson was elevated to head coach. Dickerson is the former head coach at Temple (1993-97), where he was the first African-American head coach of a Division I program.

"The tendency for young players is to think, 'Oh, gee, we won a game, now it's going to be easy.' Nothing could be further from the truth," said Curry. "We're playing a better, more talented team this week, and we will have to execute much better. Shorter was very disciplined in its offense, but Lambuth has great talent and discipline on offense, and they've got a really good defense."

Lambuth's offense remains fairly intact from last year's 12-1 squad except for the departure of three quarterbacks, including starter Adam Wiese. Junior college transfer David Ingram has taken over under center to direct the Eagles' pass-oriented attack. In his debut against Arkansas Tech, Ingram completed 13 of 20 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns.

Ingram's top target is 6-8, 250-pound senior receiver Rod Jefferson, a pro prospect who had more than 1,200 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns catches last season. He had five catches for 87 yards and two scores in the opener.

The defense returns most of its front seven, including leading tackler and linebacker Jamie Payton.

The Georgia State offense will be quarterbacked by redshirt freshman Drew Little, who earned the starting nod after a preseason battle with redshirt freshman Kelton Hill, sophomore transfer Star Jackson and redshirt freshman Bo Schlechter.

In his debut, Little completed 13 of 17 passes for 135 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions against Shorter. He threw scoring passes to tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi and wideout Jordan Giles.

Redshirt freshman Parris Lee made history by scoring the first touchdown in GSU history on a four-yard run that capped the Panthers' first offensive possession. He added a 10-yard touchdown and finished as the leading rusher with 62 yards rushing on just eight carries.

Junior transfers Ben Jacoby at center, Joseph Gilbert at left guard and Clyde Yandell at left tackle anchor the GSU offensive line.

Junior Brandon Jones leads the Panthers' defense from his free safety position. He collected five tackles in the opener.

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