ATLANTA -- "I've never had a bad first day," Georgia State head coach Shawn Elliott said after his Panthers' first preseason practice of 2021 Friday morning at Center Parc Stadium.
 
Georgia State opens the season Sept. 4, hosting Army at Center Parc Stadium in a 12 noon game that will be nationally televised on ESPNU. Season tickets for the 2021 season are on sale now by calling 404-413-4160 or visiting GeorgiaStateSports.com/TIX.
 
"This is my 25th year and I'm even more excited today than I was on my first day as a coach," Elliott continued as he enters his fifth season at the helm of the GSU program.
 
"We finally get to go out there and play football. All that summer conditioning and lifting is all for the opportunity to go practice. So we got to practice, and that makes for a fun day."
 
It's easy to see how much Elliott relishes being on the practice field with his team.
 
"We last took the field as a football team last April," he explained. "Our players have been out here working without us for the summer, so it's probably a little more special for the coaches to get back out here than the players."
 
Also making for a lot of fun -- not to mention competitive -- days at practice is the Panthers' experienced and talented team.
 
"It's the first day, so you try to give as many reps as you can to every single player out here," Elliott said. "We were running all three teams. It's crazy to think we have a three-deep roster, maybe for the first time since I've been here."
 
The Panthers are one of the most experienced teams in the nation with 11 starters returning on offense and nine on defense, along with their punter and placekicker. Ten of those returning starters were named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference team, and five are on preseason watch lists for various national awards.
 
"You look at 22 of 24 starters returning," Elliott said. "The guys behind them have to do a little bit more, and the guys who are in those starting roles have to push a little bit harder. It makes for great competition. Competition is key in any sport - that's what we're striving to build here and I think we've got it."
 
Georgia State fans can get a preview of the 2021 squad at Saturday's free open practice at 10 a.m. at Center Parc Stadium. Park for free in the Green Lot, enter at Gate 7 and sit in the East stands to watch the Panthers. Following the practice, Pounce's Kids Club members can participate in a punt, pass and kick competition on the field. Click here for more information.