2015-16 season recap
The Georgia State football team fought through the 2015-16 season to create history. After rallying back from a 2-6 record, the Panthers saw four straight victories which landed the team with a final season record of 6-6. While defeating conference members such as Texas State, South Alabama and Troy, Georgia State also gained a victory over conference rival Georgia Southern, 34-7. The Panthers finished at No. 4 in the Sun Belt conference. Georgia State then went on to travel to the first ever bowl game in school history. The Panthers fell 16-27 to San Jose State in the Autonation Cure Bowl.
Charlie Cobb, Georgia State’s director of athletics, shares his thoughts on the football program’s first bowl game.
“It was an awesome accomplishment for the coaches and team. It demonstrated great leadership within the program,” Cobb said. “This gives us great momentum heading into the summer workouts and ultimately the 2016 season.”
Key players
After graduating players such as Nick Arbuckle who signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Donovan Harden who signed to the Baltimore Ravens, Georgia State will bring in promising new players as well as return key players.
Offense
Robert Davis- Wide Receiver
Coming off a season in which he totaled 980 receiving yards, 61 receptions and averaging 16.1 yards per game, Davis is a returning threat for the Panthers. The rising senior ranks second in Georgia State history in career receptions and receiving yards. Davis is an experienced player for Georgia State in which he demonstrates consistency and astonishing physical ability. Davis will enter his senior season as the top active receiver in the Sun Belt.
Penny Hart – Wide Receiver
Hart was named the 2015 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. After totaling over 1,000 receiving yards during his freshman season, the rising sophomore will continue to grow within the program while gaining and developing team chemistry along the way. Hart totaled 71 receptions while averaging 15.5 yards per game. Hart led the Panther receivers with eight touchdowns during the past season.
Defense
Bobby Baker- Safety
The hard hitting redshirt senior will return to Georgia State for his final season. After transferring from UAB to play as a Panther in the 2015-16 season, Baker brought in a dynamic addition for the Georgia State defense. Baker totaled 76 tackles and three interceptions. Becoming more comfortable with the program brings a bigger impact for the 2016-17 season.
Alonzo McGee- Linebacker
After playing in his first season with the Panthers, McGee broke the Georgia State season record with 12.5 tackles for loss. Totaling 70 tackles and 2.5 sacks, McGee serves as a major key for the Panthers defense. His ability to get to the quarterback as well as hold opponents offensives’ to minimal yardage provides Georgia State will an extra edge in the upcoming season.
| Date and Opposing Team | Location |
| Fri, Sep 02 Ball State | Georgia Dome |
| Sat, Sep 10 Air Force | Colorado Springs, Colo. |
| Sat, Sep 17 Wisconsin | Madison, Wis. |
| Sat, Oct 01 Appalachian State * | Boone, N.C. |
| Sat, Oct 08 Texas State * | Georgia Dome |
| Sat, Oct 15 Troy * | Troy, Ala. |
| Sat, Oct 22 UT Martin | Georgia Dome |
| Sat, Oct 29 South Alabama * | Mobile, Ala. |
| Thu, Nov 03 Arkansas State * | Georgia Dome |
| Sat, Nov 12 UL Monroe * | Georgia Dome |
| Sat, Nov 19 Georgia Southern * | Georgia Dome |
| Sat, Dec 03 Idaho * | Moscow, Idaho |
*conference games
We are the Panther family
The Panthers are looking forward to performing well in the upcoming season, 2016-17. Facing opponents such as Wisconsin and Georgia Southern, the Panther Family is essential to the success of the football program. Cobb expresses what the phrase Panther Family means to him.
“It defines what I think is the beauty of college athletics. It means that no matter your background, circumstances, or identity, we are all one pulling in the same direction,” Cobb said. “Georgia State is an incredibly diverse institution with thousands of opportunities for students to engage.”
No matter which campus you are located on, each individual is united in the Panther Family. Perimeter College students have the same access to sporting events through their Panther Card as students that reside on the downtown campus. Come out to watch your Georgia State Panthers take on Ball State on Sept. 2nd.
