Week 2 Preview: Georgia State vs. Memphis

Georgia State is back in Atlanta this weekend for their home opener at Turner Field against the Memphis Tigers. After a tough loss for the Panthers last weekend against SEC opponent Ole Miss 63-7 they look to get back on track.

This will be the second time in the program history Georgia State will face off against Memphis after their last meeting that Memphis won in 2018.

Georgia State

The Panthers traveled to Oxford last weekend where they faced a Top 25 Ole Miss team. Georgia State played a somewhat competitive first half against elite team but was unable to score any points in the second half.

Georgia State started the game down 17-0 but was then able to go down and score on the next drive from a 43-yard touchdown reception from Javon Robinson. The half came to a close with a score of 25-7 following an Ole Miss TD drive. The Ole Miss offense once again came out firing on all cylinders in the second half to close the game out on a 45-0 run.

The Panthers passing attack didn’t have much juice as quarterback Christian Veilleux went 4-for-11, for 52- passing yards, and just over four yards per pass. Players like Ted Hurst did not have many opportunities to make plays for the Panthers. A bright spot that came for the Georgia State was Rashad Amos’ and TJ Peyton’s impacts on the rushing attack. The two players combined for 124 rushing yards and just under 11 yards per carry. The defense unfortunately gave up 695 yards of total offense.

The Panthers defense did come up with two interceptions from starting QB Austin Simmons which will be a positive the defensive unit to look at before this weekend. Nevertheless the rushing defense will have to be better after giving up 295 yards on the ground, four TDs, and allowing their rushers to go for roughly seven yards per carry.

Memphis

The Tigers had a dominant win over Chattanooga last weekend where they won 45-10. Memphis set the tone early and never looked back after starting the game on a 21-0 run.

Nevada transfer and Memphis starting QB, Brendon Lewis looked solid in his debut with the Tigers. Lewis went 22-for-28, for 199 passing yards, and a touchdown. He also led the Tigers rushing attack with 81 rushing yards on 10 carries and another TD.

Lewis showed his dual threat ability and how dangerous he can be on the ground with his legs especially with his 22-yard rushing TD.

Memphis finished with 432 yards of offense including 233 yards on the ground. Frank Peasant and Sutton Smith proved to be the most explosive Memphis backs each averaging over 60 yards on the ground, a TD, and over six yards per carry. Georgia State will have to keep an eye on that rushing attack and contain Lewis’s dual threat abilities.

The Memphis defense held Chattanooga to 232 total yards of offense. Chattanooga did have 118 of those yards on the ground. The Georgia State defense could test that Memphis rushing attack early with Rashad Amos and TJ Peyton. The Memphis defense will be keeping a close eye on preseason first team all conference wide receiver Ted Hurst who only recorded one reception last week.