Georgia State football returns to action at Louisiana-Lafayette

By E. Marcel Pourtout, Editor

The Georgia State football team returns to action this Saturday in a Sun Belt Conference matchup against the University of of Louisiana in Lafayette, La. starting at 7 p.m ET game EST

The Panthers (1-3, 0-1 Sun Belt) had an open date last week after dropping their last contest on Sept. 20 at Washington, 45-14. The Ragin’ Cajuns (1-3) have dropped their last three games after a season-opening win over Southern. The latest defeat came at Boise State, 34-9, on Sept. 20.

“We are coming off bye-week that was very much needed because we were a little banged up after the Washington game,” Georgia State coach Trent Miles said. “We were able to get some good work in last week and come back this week with a fresh attitude as we get into the meat of our conference schedule.”

Georgia State quarterback Nick Arbuckle leads the Sun Belt in passing yards per game (328.8) and total offense per game (333.2). Both of those marks rank in the NCAA top 15.

As a team, the Panthers lead the league in passing offense (eighth in NCAA) and are third in scoring (30.2) and total offense (456.8). Georgia State also averages 125.2 yards rushing per game.

Arbuckle’s top targets include wide receivers Robert Davis (20 receptions, 242 yards, 1 TD), LynQuez Blair (19 receptions, 254 yards, 3 TD) and Donovan Harden (17 receptions, 249 yards, 1 TD) and tight end Joel Ruiz (15 receptions, 223, yards, 2 TD). Ruiz is tied for second nationally among tight ends in receptions per game (5.0) and receiving yards per game (74.3).

Linebacker Joseph Peterson leads the Georgia State defense, averaging 13.2 tackles per game to rank second in the Sun Belt and sixth nationally. He is GSU’s career tackling leader with 221. Outside linebacker Jarrell Robinson leads the league with seven tackles for loss.

Other note from Georgia State Athletics:

-Georgia State and UL Lafayette are meeting for the second time after the Ragin’ Cajuns won last year’s game 35-21 at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers tied the game late in the third quarter on Albert Wilson’s 22-yard touchdown catch. After ULL regained the lead with a 75-yard touchdown drive, Georgia State drove deep into the Cajuns’ territory with a chance to tie the game again, but the Panthers were stopped on 4th-and-3 at the ULL 16-yard line.