2023 Georgia State Panthers football team

Last updated

2023 Georgia State Panthers football
Georgia State Athletics wordmark.svg
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl champion
Conference Sun Belt Conference
DivisionEast Division
Record7–6 (3–5 Sun Belt)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTrent McKnight (2nd season)
Offensive scheme Spread
Defensive coordinator Chad Staggs (1st season)
Base defense 4–2–5
Home stadium Center Parc Stadium
Seasons
  2022
2024  
2023 Sun Belt Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
James Madison* x  7 1   11 2  
Appalachian State y  6 2   9 5  
Coastal Carolina  5 3   8 5  
Old Dominion  5 3   6 7  
Georgia State  3 5   7 6  
Marshall  3 5   6 7  
Georgia Southern  3 5   6 7  
West Division
Troy xy$  7 1   11 3  
Texas State  4 4   8 5  
Arkansas State  4 4   6 7  
South Alabama  4 4   7 6  
Louisiana  3 5   6 7  
Southern Miss  2 6   3 9  
Louisiana–Monroe  0 8   2 10  
Championship: Troy 49, Appalachian State 23
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
  • * – Ineligible for postseason play due to FCS-to-FBS transition rules

The 2023 Georgia State Panthers football team represented Georgia State University as a member of the Sun Belt Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Panthers were led by seventh-year head coach Shawn Elliott and played their home games at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta. The Georgia State Panthers football team drew an average home attendance of 15,594 in 2023.

Contents

After a win against UConn on September 9, Georgia State became 2–0 for the first time since the 2019 season. [1] One week later, on October 16, the program improved to 3–0 for the first time in its history after beating Charlotte on the road, 41–25. [2] The victory against Charlotte featured the longest play in GSU program history, a 97-yard TD pass from quarterback Darren Grainger to WR Robert Lewis. Following another victory the following week at Coastal Carolina, GSU earned its first 4–0 start in program history, as well as its first vote in a national college football poll (coaches poll).

Preseason

Media poll

In the Sun Belt preseason coaches' poll, the Panthers were picked to finish in sixth place in the East division. [3]

Media poll (East division)
Predicted finishTeamVotes (1st place)
1James Madison78 (4)
2Appalachian State75 (4)
3Coastal Carolina71 (1)
4Marshall68 (1)
5Georgia Southern52 (1)
6Georgia State31
7Old Dominion17

Offensive lineman Travis Glover was named to the preseason All-Sun Belt first team. Defensive lineman Javon Denis, linebackers Jontrey Hunter and Jordan Veneziale, and defensive back Bryquice Brown were named to the second team. [3]

Schedule

The football schedule was announced February 24, 2023. [4]

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 317:00 p.m.No. 21 (FCS) Rhode Island * ESPN+ W 42–3515,546
September 97:00 p.m. UConn *
  • Center Parc Stadium
  • Atlanta, GA
ESPN+W 35–1415,186
September 166:00 p.m.at Charlotte *ESPN+W 41–2514,410
September 217:30 p.m.at Coastal Carolina ESPN W 30–1715,248
September 307:00 p.m. Troy
  • Center Parc Stadium
  • Atlanta, GA
ESPN+L 7–2816,536
October 147:00 p.m. Marshall Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Center Parc Stadium
  • Atlanta, GA
ESPN2W 41–2416,718
October 218:00 p.m.at Louisiana ESPNU W 20–1720,044
October 267:30 p.m.at Georgia Southern ESPN2L 27–4423,389
November 43:30 p.m. James Madison
  • Center Parc Stadium
  • Atlanta, GA
ESPN2 L 14–4215,320
November 112:00 p.m. Appalachian State
  • Center Parc Stadium
  • Atlanta, GA
ESPN+L 14–4214,260
November 188:00 p.m.at No. 15 LSU *ESPN2L 14–56100,212
November 252:00 p.m.at Old Dominion ESPN+L 24–2515,717
December 233:30 p.m.vs. Utah State ESPN W 45–22 12,168

Game summaries

No. 21 (FCS) Rhode Island

Game One – (FCS) No. 21 Rhode Island Rams (0–0) vs Georgia State Panthers (0–0)
Quarter1234Total
(FCS) No. 21 Rams01414735
Panthers14714742

at Center Parc StadiumAtlanta, Georgia

  • Date: August 31, 2023
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 15,546
  • Referee: Marshall Lewis
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
StatisticsURIGSU
First downs2220
Total yards520424
Rushing yards112231
Passing yards408193
Passing: Comp–Att–Int24–40–216–20–0
Time of possession36:1923:41
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Rhode IslandPassing Kasim Hill 24/40, 408 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
RushingDeon Silas10 carries, 50 yards
ReceivingMarquis Buchanan2 receptions, 101 yards, TD
Georgia StatePassing Darren Grainger 16/20, 193 yards, 2 TD
RushingMarcus Carroll23 carries, 184 yards, 3 TD
ReceivingRobert Lewis7 receptions, 97 yards, TD

UConn

Game Two – UConn Huskies (0–1) vs Georgia State Panthers (1–0)
Quarter1234Total
Huskies0001414
Panthers7147735

at Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: September 9, 2023
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 80 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 15,186
  • Referee: Scott Broadway
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Matt Stewart (play-by-play) and Sam Crenshaw (color analyst)
Game information
StatisticsUCONNGSU
First downs1919
Total yards326394
Rushing yards50250
Passing yards276144
Turnovers31
Time of possession32:3227:28
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UConnPassing Ta'Quan Roberson 19/30, 216 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RushingVictor Rosa10 att, 17 yds
ReceivingBrett Buckman9 receptions, 93 yds, 1 TD
Georgia StatePassingDarren Grainger15/26, 144 yds, 1 TD
RushingDarren Grainger12 att, 145 yds, 1 TD
ReceivingJa'Cyais Credle3 receptions, 45 yds

at Charlotte

Game Three – Georgia State Panthers (2–0) vs Charlotte 49ers (1–1)
Quarter1234Total
Panthers71314741
49ers01015025

at Jerry Richardson StadiumCharlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: September 16, 2023
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Sunny• Wind: 9 NE MPH
  • Game attendance: 14,410
  • Referee: Javarro Edwards
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Alex Perlman, Reginald Walker Jr., Smacker Miles
Game information
StatisticsGSUUNC
First downs2318
Total yards568356
Rushing yards10288
Passing yards466268
Turnovers02
Time of possession31:3228:28
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia StatePassingDarren Grainger27–33, 466 YDS, 3 TD
RushingMarcus Carroll20 CAR, 67 YDS, 1 TD
ReceivingRobert Lewis6 REC, 220 YDS, 2 TD
CharlottePassingTrexler Ivey20–28, 257 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingJalon Jones6 CAR, 80 YDS, 1 TD
ReceivingJack Hestera7 REC, 109 YDS, 1 TD

at Coastal Carolina

Game Four – Georgia State Panthers (3–0) vs Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (2–1)
Quarter1234Total
Panthers71031030
Chanticleers307717

at Brooks StadiumConway, South Carolina

Game information
StatisticsGSUCCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Coastal CarolinaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Troy

Game Five – Troy Trojans (2–2) vs Georgia State Panthers (4–0)
Quarter1234Total
Trojans3315728
Panthers07007

at Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: September 30, 2023
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 16,536
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
StatisticsTROYGSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
TroyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Georgia StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Marshall

Game Six – Marshall Thundering Herd (4–1) vs Georgia State Panthers (4–1)
Quarter1234Total
Thundering Herd7107024
Panthers141301441

at Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: October 14, 2023
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 16,718
  • Referee: Jeremy Parker
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Roy Philpot (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst), Taylor McGregor (sideline)
  • Pregame line: Georgia State –2.0
Game information
StatisticsMRSHGSU
First downs2325
Total yards457474
Rushing yards156240
Passing yards301234
Turnovers10
Time of possession24:4335:17
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MarshallPassing Cam Fancher 27/34, 301 yards, TD
Rushing Rasheen Ali 19 carries, 103 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingRasheen Ali4 receptions, 71 yards, TD
Georgia StatePassingDarren Grainger21/31, 234 yards, TD
RushingMarcus Carroll28 carries, 159 yards, TD
ReceivingTailique Williams6 receptions, 129 yards, TD

at Louisiana

Pregame lineOver/under
LA –3.561.5
Game Seven – Georgia State Panthers (5–1) vs Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (4–2)
Quarter1234Total
Panthers0200020
Ragin' Cajuns0710017

at Cajun FieldLafayette, Louisiana

  • Date: October 21, 2023
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Clear • Wind: S 9 MPH
  • Game attendance: 20,044
  • Referee: Scott Broadway
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Courtney Lyle (play-by-play) and Hutson Mason (analyst)
Game information
StatisticsGSUULL
First downs1615
Total yards343289
Rushing yards129165
Passing yards214124
Turnovers21
Time of possession27:4832:12
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia StatePassingDarren Grainger17/22, 211 yards, 2 TDs
RushingMarcus Carroll26 carries, 110 yards
ReceivingTailique Williams6 receptions, 81 yards
LouisianaPassing Zeon Chriss 14/28, 106 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingZeon Chriss17 carries, 119 yards
ReceivingJacob Bernard3 receptions, 30 yards

at Georgia Southern

Game Eight – Georgia State Panthers (6–1) vs Georgia Southern Eagles (5–2)
Quarter1234Total
Panthers00000
Eagles00000

at Paulson StadiumStatesboro, Georgia

  • Date: October 26, 2023
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 23,389
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Courtney Lyle (play-by-play) and Hutson Mason (analyst)
Game information
StatisticsGSUGASO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Georgia SouthernPassing
Rushing
Receiving

James Madison

Game Nine – James Madison Dukes (8–0) vs Georgia State Panthers (6–2)
Quarter1234Total
Dukes00000
Panthers00000

at Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, Georgia

Game information
StatisticsJMUGSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
James MadisonPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Georgia StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Appalachian State

Game Ten – Appalachian State Mountaineers (5–4) vs Georgia State Panthers (6–3)
Quarter1234Total
Mountaineers00000
Panthers00000

at Center Parc Stadium • Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: November 11, 2023
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 14,260
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Matt Stewart (play-by-play) and Sam Crenshaw (analyst)
Game information
StatisticsAPPGSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Appalachian StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Georgia StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 15 LSU

Game Eleven – Georgia State Panthers (6–4) vs No. 15 LSU Tigers (7–3)
Quarter1234Total
Panthers770014
No. 15 Tigers142171456

at Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, Louisiana

  • Date: November 18, 2023
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 100,212
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Roy Philpott (play-by-play) and Roddy Jones (analyst)
Game information
StatisticsGSULSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
LSUPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Old Dominion

Game Twelve – Georgia State Panthers (6–5) vs Old Dominion Monarchs (5–6)
Quarter1234Total
Panthers00000
Monarchs00000

at S.B. Ballard StadiumNorfolk, Virginia

  • Date: November 25, 2023
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 15,717
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
StatisticsGSUODU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Old DominionPassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs. Utah State (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)

Game Thirteen – Georgia State Panthers (6–6) vs Utah State Aggies (6–6) (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)
Quarter1234Total
Panthers21107745
Aggies1400822

at Albertsons StadiumBoise, Idaho

  • Date: December 23, 2023
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 39 °F (4 °C) • Wind: 15 mph (24 km/h) NW
  • Game attendance: 12,168
  • Referee: Jeremy Valentine
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark Herzlich (analyst), and Morgan Uber (sideline)
  • Box score
Game information
StatisticsGSUUSU
First downs2418
Total yards643347
Rushing yards386159
Passing yards257188
Turnovers11
Time of possession36:1223:48
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Georgia StatePassingDarren Grainger19/22, 257 yards, 3 TD
RushingFreddie Brock24 carries, 276 yards, TD
ReceivingCadarrius Thompson5 receptions, 117 yards, 2 TD
Utah StatePassing Levi Williams 12/21, 131 yards, TD, INT
RushingDavon Booth4 carries, 71 yards, TD
ReceivingTerrell Vaughn8 receptions, 86 yards, TD

References

  1. Awtrey, Stan (September 9, 2023). "Darren Grainger, improved defense spark Georgia State past UConn". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  2. Awtrey, Stan (September 16, 2023). "A record night for Georgia State in 41-25 win over Charlotte". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Sun Belt Announces Football Preseason Awards & Poll". sunbeltsports.org. July 24, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  4. "2023 Georgia State Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved March 4, 2023.