Panthers’ defense coming off big effort

One of the goals for the Georgia State football team’s defense this year was to be more disruptive. The Panthers were looking to create turnovers, apply pressure and make the opposition uncomfortable.

The defense gradually has grown to meet those expectations. Last week it produced a school- record seven sacks in a win over South Alabama and has morphed into a productive unit, especially against the run.

“It’s fun to see them go out and do the things I’ve seen them do in practice,” coach Shawn Elliott said. “A lot of it is maturity. They’re stalking their prey and doing a tremendous job. I love to see the energy created off it. We all have to go through maturation, and when it does click, it’s an exciting thing to see.”

In the three games since the forgettable 51- 0 loss to Coastal Carolina, the Panthers have allowed only 65 points — 12 points below their season average — produced 31 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, forced four fumbles and intercepted two passes. This season they have a Sun Belt Conference- leading 30 sacks, have forced 10 fumbles and recovered seven, and intercepted nine passes.

“That Coastal Carolina game was like a bitter taste in our mouths,” said defensive end Hardrick Willis, who had 1 ½ sacks last week to become the school’s career leader. “We can’t ever let that happen to us again. From that point on the emphasis has been on defense, defense, defense. We must stop them in all phases.”

The defensive momentum needs to carry over to the regular- season finale if the Panthers ( 4- 4, 3- 4 Sun Belt) are to have a chance against rival Georgia Southern ( 6- 3, 4- 2) at noon Saturday at Center Parc Stadium.

Georgia Southern presents a different challenge for the Georgia State defense. Like Appalachian State, the Eagles run the ball with great effectiveness and rank first in the Sun Belt with 264.6 yards per game. They’ve thrown only 123 passes all season.

“They’ re going to get their yards,” Ell i ott said. “They ’ re well coached and run the ball extremely well. We’ve got to continue to do a good job coaching and the players have to go out and execute. It’s about playing harder than the other team. It’s about the want- to. The defense is flying around creating intensity, and we have a really good mindset. We’ll play hard and do our very best.”

Georgia State is expected to get defensive lineman Dontae Wilson and safety Antavious Lane back from injuries that kept them out against South Alabama.

Georgia Southern likely will be without two of its best players. Running back Wesley Kennedy and nose tackle C. J. Wright were arrested on drug charges Monday. Kennedy also was charged with possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime.

Kennedy was an All- Sun Belt selection in 2019 and has rushed for 447 yards this season. He had taken over the role as primary ball carrier since the season-endin gA CL injury to J. D. King. Kennedy also has 163 yards receiving, 71 yards on punt returns and 129 yards on kickoff returns. Wright had a season- high 10 tackles last week against Army.

Kennedy’s absence will put more pressure on quarterback Shai Werts, who has thrown for 869 yards and run for 725. Werts ran for 55 yards and one touchdown and threw for 73 in the 38- 10 win over Georgia State last season.

The onus will be on the Georgia State offense to avoid turnovers — it had four in the first half against South Alabama — and produce a clean game. Georgia Southern ranks No. 1 in the conference in total defense ( 319.1 per game) and No. 1 against the run ( 109.3).

“Their defense is one of the best in the conference,” Elliott said. “It’s hard to find a weakness when you watch them play because they’re so well- coached. We’re going to have to play a mistake- free game and make sure we eliminate turnovers. We’ve got to take advantage of the little things they give us, because they’re not going to give us a lot.”