Since the announcement of the creation of a football program for Georgia State in 2008, the Panthers have only put together one winning season entering the 2015 season.
By: Christian Page
Projected to be at the bottom of all FBS teams, head coach Trent Miles and the Panthers recorded a 6-6 season as they currently ride a four game win streak with a most impressive road victory over Georgia Southern 34-7. The Panthers come into this matchup looking for its first postseason win in program history.
With the shortage of bowl eligible teams this postseason, the NCAA rewarded the teams with 5-7 records that produce good academic records to compete in a bowl game. San Jose State was picked up by the Cure Bowl to compete for a sixth win. The Spartans have a solid roster with five players placing on either the first or second All-MWC team with six more checking in on the honorable mention list. Having the opportunity to get to a bowl game in head coach Ron Caragher’s third season is big for the Spartans after missing out on the bid when the squad went 6-6 in 2013.
Next level talent doesn’t highlight this game, but the list provided will help guide you with some notable names concerning the 2016 NFL Draft.
Game Details: Dec. 19 at Noon EST on CBS Sports Network // Orlando, FL // Citrus Bowl Stadium
Georgia State
#9 Donovan Harden, WR – 5’11” – 175
Struggling with a foot injury at the beginning of the season, Harden looks to be 100 percent healthy heading into the bowl game. Missing three games to start the season, Harden has put together a nice year finishing the season with 36 catches for 672 yards and four scores. Georgia State likes to use Harden’s big play ability early in games to keep the defense on its toes throughout the game with a lot of pre-snap motion. Harden’s initial quickness off the line gives him an ample amount of chances to produce big. His smaller frame and lack of a diverse route tree may prevent him from being drafted but should make some noise in UDFA talks.
#3 Tarris Baptiste, SS – 6’1” – 210
Moving from linebacker to safety since transferring from Indiana State has panned out for the Panther defense and Baptiste. Baptiste is a good open field tackler and is stout in the run game using his lateral quickness to make plays on the perimeter versus the ball carrier. He is progressing in his pass coverage but is still raw on playing centerfield. With a nice frame and added physicality, Baptiste is an intriguing prospect as a strong safety development project and has shown progress in every aspect of his game in each season at Georgia State.
#6 Joseph Peterson, ILB – 6’0” – 225
The leading tackler for the Panthers has put together a nice senior season for the Panthers’ defense coming into this matchup with 106 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and a couple of sacks. His physical makeup is not intimidating but he doesn’t lack in the intensity and physicality department. Peterson’s ability to read and react have gotten him into a hole more times than a few questioning his overall instincts as a middle linebacker. He creates plays in the run game but has continued to struggle in pass defense and will have his work cut out for him in defending the powerful playmaker Tyler Ervin for the Spartans.
Other Panthers, seniors to keep an eye on:
#4 Nick Arbuckle, QB – 6’1” – 215
#27 Bruce Dukes, CB – 5’10” – 195
#65 Taylor Evans, OG – 6’4” – 305
#8 Joel Ruiz, TE – 6’4” – 240 *injured; will not play.
San Jose State
#7 Tyler Ervin, RB – 5’10” – 177
A productive product out of the backfield, Ervin ranks second in the country just behind Heisman finalist Christian McCaffrey in all-purpose yards. Ervin on paper is viewed as a scat back to the naked eye but thrives as a between the tackles runner. His incredible patience and vision and his ability to get skinny through the line makes him an impressive and intriguing NFL prospect. His toughness, physicality and body control is also impressive along with his play making ability in the open field. In a weak running back class, Ervin has a chance to make some noise and shake up the rankings with postseason events.
#72 Wes Schweitzer, OT – 6’5” – 314
Entering his 38th career start, Schweitzer has been one of the more productive pieces for the Spartans’ offense in his collegiate career. Schweitzer will fool you with inconsistent games with sporadic technique. Versus his biggest competition this season in Auburn, he did well sustaining bull rushers and powerful speed rushers while anchoring well. His athletic ability to kick slide and move laterally is limited but effective enough to get the job done. A nice frame and physicality should gain some interest from scouts and Schweitzer could be best suited at guard if there can be a smooth transition.
#8 Jimmy Pruitt, CB – 6’0” – 203
The versatile defensive back is an elite prospect in the Mountain West. He excels in man press coverage and is effective enough in zone. His physicality in man coverage is noticeable enough to take note of contending with bigger stouter receivers and winning the battle. He is a smooth polished prospect that should be drafted in April due to his versatility between safety and cornerback and his thriving ability in press coverage. If things matchup appropriately lined up versus Harden, Pruitt’s speed and flexibility will be something to pay attention to.
Other Spartans, seniors to keep an eye on:
#26 Vincente Miles Jr., SS – 6’1” – 196
#98 Tony Popovich, DT -6’2” – 262
#87 Hansell Wilson, WR – 5’9” – 183
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