The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Spring game to test new leaders
Elliott, coaching staff will look for signs of progress from Panthers.
The Georgia State football team will conduct its spring game at Grady High School at noon today. It’s Shawn Elliott’s first spring game as the Panthers’ head coach.
With a new coaching staff, the Panthers will look vastly different than last season’s team. Here are five things to look for: 1. Quarterback battle: Last season, starter Connor Manning finished with 2,684 passing yards and 16 touchdowns in 10 games. Sophomore Aaron Winchester started in two games when Manning was injured. The Panthers also have Jaquez Parks and redshirt freshman Josh Shim on the roster. All four quarterbacks will compete for the starting job.
“We’re going to try and give everyone an equal amount of snaps,” Elliott said. “Connor may end up getting more snaps than our fourth guy, but everyone is going to get a chance to run with the first team.”
2. Playing fast and physical: Playing fast and physical is the motto Elliott wants his team to play by. According to Elliott, no
position is secure. So, the fastest and most physical players will have the advantage in competing for starting jobs.
“We start every practice with a physical drill,” Elliott said. “Our guys have been playing really physical and really fast, and our guys have a great mentality for it. In order to play like that, you have to be conditioned like that. And that’s why we practice like that.”
Be on the lookout to see if the Panthers have gotten any faster or more physical over the offseason.
3. Offensive line: The Panthers’ offensive line was a big concern entering this offseason. Last season, the Panthers averaged only 87 rushing yards per game and gave up 17 sacks.
They recruited five offensive linemen to help fix the issue. However they won’t be at the spring game, so look out to see if the returning offensive linemen have improved.
4. Wide receivers: With the loss of leading receiver Robert Davis, the Panthers have a big hole at wideout. Penny Hart is coming off a season-ending foot injury and will look to pick up where Davis left off. However, Hart will need help from other receivers if he doesn’t want to see double coverage.
Look to see what the wide receivers can do in the spring game.
5. Defense: The Panthers return seven defensive starters from last season. The defense was excellent against the pass, allowing only 173 passing yards per game last season. Still, the defense needs improvement after giving up 200 rushing yards per game and getting to the quarterback only 18 times. Look to see if the defense has improved under new defensive coordinator Nate Fuqua.