Football’s sophomore slump

       A sophomore slump is often defined as an athlete experiencing a period of developmental confusion after a successful freshman campaign. The phrase is also applicable to the 2011 Georgia State Panthers football team. Despite Georgia State's season ending win over Campbell, head coach Bill Curry expressed his disappointment about this season, but it was not a complete disaster.

       As the author Charles Dickens once said, "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times."

The worst began during the off-season with quarterback turmoil. During the spring, Star Jackson left the program and Drew Little was suspended four games. Then, in July, quarterback Kelton Hill was arrested and temporarily removed from the team in relation to an on-campus burglary. As a result, the team ended up rotating between punter, Bo Schlechter, Little and Hill at quarterback throughout the first half of the season. 

     On the other side of the football, the run defense remained inept, while the rushing offense found answers. It won't be easy but the Panthers have just over nine months to remedy their shortcomings in time for their first season as an official football member of the Colonial Athletic Association.

Best Moment: Mark Hogan's Interception(s)

    Only one counted but on two occasions, safety Hogan was the hero at homecoming for Georgia State. Georgia State's first recruit played valiantly all season but his presence was never felt more than it was in the fourth quarter and overtime against South Alabama. After Hogan's first game-winning pick at the end of regulation was called back because of an offensive penalty, South Alabama scored on a fourth down pass to force overtime. In the second overtime, Hogan found himself in position to secure another game winning pick off of a deflection.

Worst Moment: Loss to St. Francis

     One week after giving up a 14-0 fourth quarter lead to UT San Antonio, the Panthers lost a 10-point lead in less than two minutes. The loss to St. Francis was worse because the Fighting Saints are an NAIA team, whom Georgia State was expected to throttle. In the first overtime, the offense actually lost yardage and replacement kicker Matt Ehasz missed a 47-yarder. On their first possession of overtime, St. Francis kicked the game-winning field goal.

What Went Right: Rushing Offense

     After struggling to find a running game in its inaugural season, Kentucky transfer Donald Russell and Travis Evans brought balance to the Panthers offense. Together, the pair rushed for 1,155 yards and Russell established himself as the top dog in the backfield by gaining a team-high 655 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. That doesn't include Hill's 609 yards and four rushing touchdowns at the quarterback position. Once opponents were forced to respect the Panthers running game, Hill was able to make plays in the passing game.

What Went Wrong: Fourth Quarters and Special Teams

        The discrepancy between what went right and what went wrong in 2011 is massive. The Panthers' record had fans ready to leap off the ledge but the season was not as bleak as their final record indicated. If the Panthers had not surrendered three consecutive fourth quarter leads between Oct. 29 and Nov. 12, the Panthers would have closed out the season with a five game winning streak and a 6-5 record. Instead they were outscored 34-123 in fourth quarters.

        Special teams play may have been worse. Metaphorically speaking, special teams is the eternal limbo between offense and defense. For the Panthers, it was purgatory. Kickers Christian Benvenuto and Matt Ehasz missed 9 of their final 11 field goals since Oct. 22, including an 0 for 4 performance in an overtime loss on the road against the UTSA Roadrunners.

It wasn't just the kickers, as return men had their way against the Panthers' coverage units. If the Panthers want to be relevant in the CAA next season, they've got to fill in gaping holes in their coverage units.

Offensive MVP: WR, Albert Wilson

      Albert Wilson showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman. After returning a kick return 97 yards against Alabama in the 2010 regular season finale, Wilson kept running straight into the 2011 season. Despite the offense's uncertain variables at quarterback, Wilson emerged as the constant in the passing game. In nine games, Wilson caught 37 passes for 772 yards and six touchdowns. Those are averages of over 20 yards per catch and 85.8 yards per game. Wilson was a threat to score on every play. He made explosive plays on deep routes, screens, across the middle and on special teams. Against Murray State, Wilson caught a screen pass and weaved 78 yards through defenders for the longest touchdown from scrimmage in program history. With a full season under his belt and a stable quarterback position, Wilson could become Georgia State's first 1,000-yard receiver in 2012.

Defensive MVP: LB, Jake Muasau