2016 Georgia State football look ahead: Ball State
December 28, 2015 | Filed in: college, Georgia State.
by: Doug Roberson @DougRobersonAJC


Georgia State running back Kyler Neal scores a 4-yard touchdown in the first quarter of a 31-19 win over Ball State on Saturday. (Georgia State)

Now that Georgia State’s surprising football season is over, let’s take a way-too-early look at next year’s schedule and see if the Panthers can build on their first bowl appearance.

To recap: Georgia State won its last four regular-season games to reach 6-6. The Panthers were invited to the Cure Bowl in Orlando and were defeated by San Jose State 27-16.

The Panthers return eight starters on offense and nine on defense.

Those starters who aren’t returning are all key, led by quarterback Nick Arbuckle. He became the Sun Belt’s single-season passing leader in the loss to the Spartans.

With that in mind, how might the Panthers do next year? Can they make it to a second consecutive bowl game?

Because the Sun Belt schedule hasn’t been announced, let’s start with Georgia State’s non-conference schedule. I’ll try to post one a day until we are done:

Sept. 1 or 2 vs. Ball State

Have the teams played before? Georgia State defeated the Cardinals 31-19 last season. That victory was one of the moments that turned around the Panthers’ season.

Key players returning:

Quarterback Riley Neal (2,276 yards passing, 16 touchdowns, 6 interceptions);
Running back Darian Green (145 carries, 730 yards, 5 touchdowns);
Running back James Gilbert (152 carries, 608 yards, 8 touchdowns);
Wide receiver KeVonn Mabon (70 receptions, 745 yards, 2 touchdowns);
Safety Martez Hester (78 tackles);
Linebacker Zack Ryan(250 career tackles);
Safety Aaron Taylor (31 tackles);

Key players lost:

Wide receiver Jordan Williams (72 receptions, 920 yards, 8 touchdowns);
Wide receiver Chris Shillings (58 career receptions);
Center Jacob Richard;
Defensive end Michael Ayers (65 tackles);
Linebacker Ben Ingle (102 tackles);


Can Georgia State beat them?

Well, the Panthers defeated the Cardinals once. Ball State returns a lot of players on offense and defense, but will be led by a new coach after Pete Lembo resigned to take a coordinator’s position at Maryland.

2016 Georgia State football look ahead: Air Force
January 4, 2016 | Filed in: college, Georgia State.
by: Doug Roberson @DougRobersonAJC


Georgia State Panthers cornerback Bruce Dukes (27) could have a standout year. (Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports)


Let’s continue the Georgia State football 2016 way-too-early look at next year’s schedule with Air Force.

This is the bookend of a two-game series that Georgia State oddly agreed to play years ago. It’s odd because a growing school on the east coast doesn’t usually play an established school on the western side of the country unless there is money changing hands. Georgia State doesn’t recruit in Colorado, where the Falcons are based. Anyway ….

To recap: Georgia State won its last four regular-season games to reach 6-6. The Panthers were invited to the Cure Bowl in Orlando and were defeated 27-16. The Falcons averaged 319.1 rushing yards per game and 131.9 passing yards per game. They allowed 354.9 total yards per game.

The Panthers return eight starters on offense and nine on defense.

Those starters who aren’t returning are all key, led by quarterback Nick Arbuckle. He became the Sun Belt’s single-season passing leader in the loss to the Spartans.

So, how might the Panthers do next year?

Air Force

2015 bowl game result: Lost to Cal 55-36 in the Armed Forces Bowl. They finished 8-6.

When will they play: Sept. 10 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Have the teams played before? Yes. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 48-38 in the Georgia Dome in 2014. They rushed for 315 yards and four touchdowns. They also completed 12 of 15 passes for 224 yards in a very efficient performance.

Key players returning:

RB Jacobi Owens: 205 rushes, 1092 yards, seven touchdowns this season; 2,146 rushing yards in career.
RB Timothy McVey: 53 rushes, 441 yards, nine touchdowns.
RB D.J. Johnson: 82 rushes, 425 yards, six touchdowns.
WR Jalen Robinette: 26 receptions, 641 yards, five touchdowns.
DB Weston Steelhammer: 80 tackles, six interceptions.
DB Roland Ladipo: 79 tackles.
DB Brodie Hicks: 67 tackles.
LB Claude Alexander: 60 tackles, 10 ½ tackles for loss , 4 sacks.
LB D.J. Dunn: 52 tackles, 12 for loss, 5 1/2 sacks.

Key players lost:

QB Karson Roberts: 168 rushes, 743 yards, 10 touchdowns; 1,595 passing yards, 11 touchdowns.
WR Garrett Brown: 27 receptions, 557 yards, one touchdown.
WR Garret Griffin: 12 receptions, 208 yards, three touchdowns.
DL Alex Hansen: 70 tackles, 15 1/2 tackles for loss, 7 ½ sacks.

Outlook

Good, if Georgia State’s defense can play with the same intensity it did against the last option team it faced, Georgia Southern. The Panthers held the Eagles to season lows in rushing and points in the victory in Statesboro.

Other factors to consider, the Falcons must replace their quarterback, two of their best wide receivers and arguably their best player on defense.

Plus, Georgia State usually plays much better on the road than it does at home.