The Georgia State Panthers will try to pick up their first victory of the season as they square off against the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga today at home.
This will be the first meeting between the two schools.
The Panthers (0-1) are coming off of a 31-21 loss in their home opener against the Samford Bulldogs. The Chattanooga Mocs (0-1) lost their season opener to University of Tennessee Martin by the same score.
Russ Huesman, father of UTC starting quarterback, Jacob Huesman, is in his fifth year as head coach. Huesman is (23-22) with the Mocs going (2-6) in non conference games.
Panthers quarterback Ronnie Bell completed 28 for 51 for 391 yards and 3 touchdowns against Samford. Bell leads the Sun Belt Conference in yards passing and passing touchdowns.
Bell spread the ball around to a wide range of receivers. Albert Wilson had 8 catches for 167 yards receiving and Kelton Hill had 5 catches for 54 yards receiving and two touchdown receptions.
Georgia State head coach Trent Miles said he wants the running game to be more active part of the offense against Chattanooga to take pressure off Bell.
“We’ll also use receiver screens and bubble screens as part of the run game,” Miles said.
Panthers starting running back Gerald Howse had 29 yards on 14 carries leading the rushing offense.
Georgia State will go up against a Mocs defense that allowed 289 yards against UT-Martin last week.
Despite the loss, the Mocs showed a balanced attack on offense.
Junior tight end Faysal Shafaat grabbed four catches for 45 yards and two touchdowns.
Sophomore quarterback Jacob Huesman rushed for 90 yards.
Miles said he knows that Huesman is their leading rusher and that his defense has been preparing all week for him.
The Mocs run a multiple style offense which the Panthers defense is used to going up against every day in practice.
The Panthers defense is led by senior defensive tackle Terrance Woodard who had 10 tackles against the Samford Bulldogs.
The game kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday and will be broadcasted on ESPN3.
