Photo by Dayne Francis | The Signal
Georgia State once again started out week two versus Air Force on fire, only to end up dominated in a 48-14 loss to the Falcons in Colorado Springs.
This is the second game in a row the offense was practically a no show. The Panthers offense managed only six first downs and converted a meager 4-of-12 third downs. Conner Manning passing accuracy took another hit, completing only 33 percent of his passes for a total of 135 yards. A few of those passes were not all on Manning’s shoulders. Wide receiver Todd Boyd dropped an open pass that would have been an easy six points. Tight end Ari Werts was the lone receiver with a 22-yard touchdown pass. Robert Davis was the Panthers leading receiver with 79 yards.
Martha and the Vandellas had a hit song in 1967 called “Nowhere to run” that the Panthers ground game may have unintentionally adopted as their theme song. Georgia State was unable to find any running room against the Air Force defense with only 27 total yards on the ground. Leading the Panthers in rushing was Kendrick Dorn with 15 total yards and one touchdown.
“We couldn’t keep our offense on the field,” Coach Miles said following the loss. “We’ve got to find out who we are and find a way to run the ball because we just can’t keep leaving our defense out there.”
The game really never will go your way when your defense is forced to stay on the field for over 45 minutes of a game trying to defend a run-heavy triple option. Falcons quarterback Nate Romine only passed for 67 yards, but also led the Air Force ground attack with 124 while averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Overall, the Panther defense gave up 464 yards on the ground to the branch of the armed services that spends most of its time in the air.
“We were able to utilize our fullbacks and while they weren’t glamorous they were efficient,” Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun said following the game also praising his quarterback Nate Romine. “There are a lot of plays where you can be a contributor as a quarterback and it worked today. He’s really grown and made improvements and I only expect him to get better and better.”
With the exception of an 88-yard kickoff return by Glenn Smith, even the Panthers special teams didn’t leave much to boast about. Punter Brandon Wright averaged 32 yards a punt with only one punt that found its way inside the Falcons 20.
Georgia State football now falls 0-2 on the season and 7-31 during head coach Trent Miles coaching tenure as they continue to find answers on offense.
The Panthers will make the second of three road trips to start the season as they travel to Madison, Wisconsin in what will be a very physical test against the Badgers. The game will air on the Big Ten Network at noon.
