Panthers Excited to be Back on the Field for Spring Game

Georgia State students and fans are invited to preview the 2021 football season at the Panthers' Blue-White Spring Game, set for Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Center Parc Stadium. Admission is free.

Head coach Shawn Elliott's squad returns 22 of 24 starters, including all 11 starters from an offensive unit that averaged a school-record 33.3 points per game and nine starters from a defense that ranked No. 7 in FBS with a program-record 35 sacks.

The Panthers have earned bowl berths in the three of the last four years, including a victory in the 2020 LendingTree Bowl.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing the crowd," Elliott said. "I want to see some people come out and enjoy what I think will be a great evening. We're going to see a great competitive game out there, and I'm really excited about it. Our team and our coaching staff are really looking forward to getting out there."

With almost the entire roster returning, Elliott elected to divide the squad into two teams and have a true Blue-White game with traditional scoring, rather than just an offense-vs.-defense scrimmage.

"In the past we just haven't had the team depth to do this, but we do have that this year so it should be fun," Elliott said. "I think the competitive nature of having a both offense and defense and the specialists on each team it brings out a new level of 'get-after-it.'"

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— GSU Football (@GeorgiaStateFB) April 14, 2021

Team Blue is captained by tight end Roger Carter and defensive end Hardrick Willis and coached by offensive coordinator Brad Glenn, while noseguard Dontae Wilson and offensive guard Shamarious Gilmore are the captains for Team White, coached by defensive coordinator Nate Fuqua.

The capains and coaches held a draft Wednesday to divide up the squads, with Commissioner Elliott serving as the emcee.

The teams drafted one position at a time, so the first overall pick was center Malik Sumter. Defensive end Tre Moore was the first defensive player selected.

The Panthers have three quarterbacks, so returning starter Cornelious Brown IV will rotate to both teams. Darren Grainger, the transfer from Furman, was selected by White, with redshirt freshman Mikele Colasurdo going to Blue.

Team Blue drafted explosive receiver Sam Pinckney, while team Team White selected top returning rusher Destin Coates. Team White looks strong on defense with inside linebacker Blake Carroll, cornerback Quavian White and safety Antavious Lane, but if the game comes down to a field goal, Team Blue has all-conference placekicker Noel Ruiz.

More on the Spring Game:
*Masks are required
*Clear bag policy is in effect

Date: Friday, April 16
Location: Center Parc Stadium
Admission: Free
Parking: Green Lot (Free)

Timeline:
4:30 p.m. Green Lot opens
5:00 p.m. Center Parc Stadium Gate 8 opens
5:15 p.m. GSU Football Alumni Flag Football Game
6:30 p.m. KICKOFF
8:30 p.m. Movie on the Turf

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