GSU over USA in Double Overtime! 10-22-11

GSU over USA in Double Overtime! 

Extra point after first touchdown is Good! Note the raised blue tube noise makers!

Thousands of Panther Fans, Students, and Alumni, arrived at the Dome, to celebrate Homecoming, "Ready for Some Football" (to quote the beleaguered Hank Williams, Jr.) The Panther Football team showed up and DELIVERED! (Video below of the "Panther Walk," when most of the team, coaches, etc. walk between the fans/families, while entering the Dome.)

It was nice to see the tail-gating, pre-game activities, and half-time activities helping raise the bar for fan participation! I was introduced to The Regulars Band last year, when they played in the Dome. This year's encore was in the Orange Lot. (The video is a little shaky, but The Regulars sound great!)

To help our fans, the cheer and dance spirit teams taught/led GSU cheers, on the field with the band, as part of the band's performance. The Panther's play revved up the fans, and we ROCKED the Dome! The enthusiasm and noise level in the DOME were second only to our Inaugural Game.

The Georgia State Homecoming Court was presented during half-time. Here's a picture of the Princess, Prince, Queen, and King on the Jumbo-tron! (More photos in galleries with links at the end of the blog.)

GSU Homecoming Princess and Queen on Jumbo-tron

If I were a nail-biter, I'd have no nails left tonight! This game was a roller-coaster, with non-stop up and down action! And, since this blog is from a Mama's perspective, I will tell you: this game was STRESSFUL to watch! (Although it was not quite as stressful as when my own son is playing, I could have done with a little less "excitement!") The Panther's kept fighting, though, and the end result was worth it! We all needed this win!

The Panthers led the entire game, until USA tied it up with 4 seconds to go! Finally, two over-time periods later, we won a hard fought victory 27-20! WHEW! What a ride!  

My son, (#18) Blake Wyatt's, roommate, Mark Hogan, had two fabulous plays: an interception and a tipped pass. 

Mark Hogan's Proud GSU Panther Dad and Mom (Mark and Beverly)

Donald Russell, Christian Benvenuto, Jake Muasau, Albert Wilson, Kelton Hill, and others, made some game changing plays. Our Panther defense held their ground at the goal line, and kept USA from scoring several times.

EVERY Panther Football player, BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD, contributed to the MAGIC today! Our UNSUNG HEROES are those players who learned the plays, "did their jobs," and helped hone each other's skills--without receiving the glory! EVERY player, coach, and support staff member shares a part of this victory! Thank YOU!

If Blake is cleared to travel, I will send you a Panther Mama travelogue from Texas next week. If not, I will be soliciting help from other Panther Mamas to fill us in on the game in San Antonio! 

CONGRATULATIONS, GSU PANTHER FOOTBALL TEAM! 

Let's WIN in San Antonio! GO PANTHERS! 


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FOR GAME DAY PHOTOS, CLICK GALLERY LINKS BELOW: 

Click for Panther Mama's GSU vs USA Photos 

(Thanks fo Amanda Scott for her contributions)

Click for Amanda Scott's Photos

GSU vs SCSU 2011

GSU vs SCSU 2011

I'd like to introduce Guest Blogger,

Amanda Scott, who photographed and 

commented on the GSU vs. SCSU 


Game that I missed!

As a GSU Alumna and Lifetime Georgia State University Alumni 

Association member, everything is Blue and White for Amanda Scott, 

Guest Blogger. She sports blue hair extensions, and drives the blue 

PantherMobile! Amanda is a Panther Athletic Club Gold Donor, 

President's Society Legacy Circle Member, Heritage Society Member, 

and Society Partners Circle Member. She supports the Spirit Program, 

and is a season ticket holder for four GSU Sports!

Amanda Scott's Photo Gallery 

The Trip That Turned Out to Be More Than Just

The Opportunity to Support Georgia State Football

(Comments and Photos by Amanda Scott)

After packing The PantherMobile, I left Atlanta around 9:30am after 

picking up a student who wanted to attend the game. The drive to 

Orangeburg, South Carolina was approximately 4 hours. We need 

students at home games, but we also need them at our away games, so  

I will never turn away a student who wants to accompany me to an away

game! 

The weather was perfect! We quickly found our seats located on the first 

row in South Carolina State University’s reserved section. Unfortunately, 

there were not many Panther Fans present. Most fans sitting in the GSU 

section were parents of the players.  I did recognize a couple of faces 

proudly wearing their blue gear!

Our spirit groups were not present. The Jacksonville State game is the 

only away game that our spirit groups were scheduled to attend this 

season.  I missed the band, cheerleaders and Pantherettes, and Pounce.

For the first time this year, I can say I was proud of our team. The 

Panthers showed improvement on the field, especially defense.

Opinions of the game: Though some may disagree, with Drew Little out 

of the game, Kelton Hill shined over Bo Schlechter. After Bo’s 

performance playing Murray State and his performance during this game 

(interception at goal line), he is NOT the answer to the quarterback chaos 

we are facing.  Donald Russell was a star, scoring a nine yard touchdown 

 

in the third quarter, putting GSU back in the lead.  Clearly, our offense 

needs work. Though we ultimately lost to GCSU 23-13, I witnessed 

improvement from the defense.  

 

After the game, Bill Curry loaded the bus and I had a chance to speak 

with him alone. It is a moment I will never forget. I looked him in the eyes 

and said, “Bill, I just want to tell you how proud I am of the team today. I 

saw improvement from the guys and though we lost, I am not walking 

away embarrassed.”  Tears started to fill his eyes as he softly responded, 

“Thank you so much Amanda, we still have a long way to go.” I could see 

the exhaustion in his face.  I could feel his pain. And for the first time this 

season, I didn't have that gloomy feeling in the pit of my stomach, 

wondering if the football program will survive! 

Thank you Bill Curry.

Homecoming—Here We Come!! Go Panthers.




PLEASE LIKE GSU PANTHER MAMA ON FACEBOOK! THANKS! 

Go Panthers! Beat SCSU!

Go Panthers! Beat SCSU! 

GSU Panther Mama (and Panther Dad) won't be traveling to Orangeburg for this week's game. Blake (#18) is still recovering from the concussion he suffered during the Murray State Game. Blake will be home with us this weekend. 

Amanda Scott, GSU's Fan Extraordinaire, who always sports GSU Blue hair extensions, and is the owner of the PantherMobile, has agreed to supply some commentary and photos for the blog! If you see Amanda, be sure to say "hey!"  

Amanda Scott and Jamie Wyatt (GSU Panther Mama)

GSU vs Murray State--October 8, 2011

Will post some videos in a few days. Just wanted to get the photo gallery up as soon as possible! 


GSU vs Murray State Photo Gallery

GSU Panthers' Road Trip to Houston

GSU Panthers' Road Trip to Houston

I didn't hear from any other Panther Mamas, with blog info from the Houston game I missed, so I'm simply posting a video that Blake Wyatt's (#18) Panther Dad took of our GSU Panthers taking the field in Houston, and a couple of other smart phone photos he took!

Hope everyone enjoyed a nice fall weekend this past weekend! Let's start gearing up for Murray State! Go Panthers!