Receiver ready to make an impact

Hart’s return from injury adds threat to Panthers’ offense.

Georgia State’s offense will be welcoming back a key asset Saturday against Appalachian State (2-2) when sophomore wide receiver Penny Hart returns from injury.

The 5-foot-8 wideout made a name for himself last season with 71 receptions for 1,099 yards and eight touchdowns on his way to Sun Belt freshman of the year and first-team all-conference honors.

With Hart — who was out with an undisclosed injury — the Panthers (0-3) get back a dynamic playmaker but also an observer who has evaluated the offense from the outside looking in.

“Being a leader on this team and being able to see what was actually going on from the sideline, it was better for me to be able to tell them what we have to get better on,” Hart said. “From a side aspect of seeing everything that’s going on, seeing how we practice, seeing how we’re out there playing, executing in certain situations, it was better for me to just sit there, help our team as far as coaching goes, and then when I’m back, I’m back and we’re able to execute those things I was able to see when I wasn’t playing.”

Along with that perspective, Hart also provides additional leadership in the huddle and gives junior quarterback Conner Manning another reliable target.

In the opener against Ball State, Manning found Hart five times for 48 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown. Between the offseason work the two did together and what they have done in practice this past week, they said their on-field connection is getting back to where it needs to be.

Last season against Appalachian State, Hart had five receptions for 47 yards, both team highs. Without Hart the past two games, Georgia State leaned heavily on senior wide receiver Robert Davis, but the Panthers couldn’t match their scoring output in the opener. After scoring three touchdowns against Ball State, the Panthers scored four touchdowns in the last two losses.

With Hart now back, Manning said the offense is getting back into its groove.

“Just kind of getting back in rhythm with him, getting everyone healthy out there is key,” Manning said. “So we feel like we’re full go on offense and just excited to get back out there Saturday.”

Hart said it “was slightly depressing” to have to watch the team from the sideline while he was injured, but if feels great to be back now.

Going into the season, Hart was pegged to be one of the top receivers in the country and was named to the Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list.

Despite having to spend the last few weeks out of game action, Hart said he expects to get right back to where he was and help his team earn its first victory this season.

“I’m trying to make a statement to my team and nothing more,” Hart said.

“And to make a statement to myself, because my expectations and my teammates’ expectations for me are bigger than anyone else’s could possibly be.”