ATLANTA -- "Man, it just feels good that we're sitting here on the cusp of our first game," Georgia State head coach Shawn Elliott said as his Panthers sit just one week away from kicking off the 2023 season.

Georgia State hosts Rhode Island on Thursday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. at Center Parc Stadium (ESPN+). Tickets and parking are on sale now at GeorgiaStateSports.com.

"It's probably been the most enjoyable football camp I've experienced as a college coach," Elliott said. "I have enjoyed going out to practice and working with these guys every single day."

Entering his seventh season at the helm, Elliott has definitely enjoyed having a two-year starter and one of the top quarterbacks in the Sun Belt Conference directing the attack in senior Darren Grainger.

Last fall, Grainger passed for 2,443 yards and 18 touchdowns while completing 58.6 percent of his passes, ranking second in the Sun Belt and No. 10 in FBS with 14.04 yards per completion. He was also GSU's leading rusher with 734 yards (No. 9 in Sun Belt) and six touchdowns, making him third in the Sun Belt in total offense (264.8 ypg).

Other top returnees on the offense include running back Marcus Carroll, wide receiver Robert Lewis and left tackle Travis Glover.

The Panthers must replace two highly productive running backs in Tucker Gregg and Jamyest Williams, who combined for nearly 4,000 yards between them, but Elliott says the ground game is in good hands.

"Marcus is going to step right in and be at the forefront of our offense, carrying that football," he said. "He is strong, he is physical, he can pass protect, and he's got great instincts in running the football. He's going to have a fine year, as long as that offensive line does their job upfront, and I think they will.

"Robert Lewis will make a huge impact. He came out of the gates very strong a year ago but got injured," Elliott continued. "Ja'Cyais Credle is another very good receiver, along with Kris Byrd and Ahmon Green at the tight end position. 

"We lost some linemen from last year, but I tell you what, we've found some linemen and we've really jelled in the last four weeks."

Defensively, the Panthers could feature some new wrinkles under first-year coordinator Chad Staggs.

Of course, when Elliott talks football, it all starts with the line of scrimmage.

"Javon Denis is a guy nobody talks about who plays really well for us on that defensive line," he said. "We've got a transfer from Louisville, Henry Bryant, who is going to man that nose spot, and we brought in Kevin Swint from Clemson who can do a lot of really good things."

Another transfer who should make an immediate impact on the defense is Gavin Pringle, who is competing for a starting berth at cornerback opposite Bryquice Brown.

Elliott also mentioned someone who is not a newcomer but is in a new role.

"The move of Jontrey Hunter to the inside linebacker position is going to give us a lot more range," Elliott said. "He's 6-3, 6-4 and 235 pounds, he can run, he can hit and he's probably the most explosive player on our defense."

Georgia State is opening the season at home for the 12th time in 14 seasons of football, but the Panthers are coming out of the gate with back-to-back home games for the first time since 2014 as the Panthers follow the Rhode Island opener with a home game against UConn on Saturday, Sept. 9.