NEW ORLEANS ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” Marshall University footballÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s sixth Sun Belt Conference opponent on its schedule will be Georgia State.
The Thundering Herd will head to Atlanta Nov. 15 for the matchup with a time to be determined. Georgia State has designated the game as a white out.
Dell McGee is entering his second season as coach of the Panthers. They are coming off a 3-9 record in 2024 and were picked seventh in the Sun Belt Conference East Division in the preseason coaches poll.
The Panthers picked up a Power Four win over Vanderbilt in 2024, 36-32.
In New Orleans for SBC ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Days, McGee was the final coach to take the podium, and itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s fitting that his teamÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s motto is finish.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe did go 3-9 last year, unfortunately,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ McGee said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œBut I do feel like the foundation was laid for our program, and that it will show with the 45 players that return from that season.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe had four one-score losses last year that promoted the thing this offseason for us ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” finish. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s printed on all of our shirts, workout gear and itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s in the weight room.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The Panthers return three All-SBC honorees from 2024 and received one first-team preseason SBC honoree for 2025 in receiver Ted Hurst in July.
Georgia StateÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s roster construction in 2025 is akin to MarshallÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s. McGee said his roster features more than 70 new faces.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe acquired 34 high school kids between walk-ons and signees. They bring a lot of enthusiasm and excitement,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ McGee said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a talented bunch from all states surrounding us. We also had 43 portal additions for a total of 77 new players. We feel like those portal additions and some of the enthusiasm from our freshmen has entered our program.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
In McGeeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s second season, the new high school class will be the first he recruited in full. Similar to Marshall coach Tony Gibson, McGee found that the additions have helped raise competition across the board.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI can say that 77 additions has created competition in every single room,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ McGee said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe feel like competition can help push the needle from a standpoint of accountability and competitiveness.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWith the leadership of our returning guys, they understand what it takes in the offseason. TheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve done a tremendous job of pushing that agenda forward.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
It also puts focus on retention.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œGuys leave when they achieve,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ McGee said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œSo we want to be genuine and honest so that retention can increase. Instead of having 45 players next year, we want 60-65 guys. That would give us continuity.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Similar to LouisianaÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s approach, McGee said Georgia State intends to build first through high school prospects as it has the Atlanta pipeline along with surrounding powerhouses.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe feel that recruiting the high school ranks is important for Georgia State,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ McGee said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe will supplement our roster with junior college signees and transfer portal acquires. I feel like you dive deep into the relations part of it with high school recruiting. You recruit a guy for a couple of years and really get to know their family and see what makes them tick.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œYou also get to assess what kind of student they are in a city. You get to see if theyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re the right fit. ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll be how we build our team, and weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re off to an outstanding class. The 2025 class will really be my first class.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Defensive lineman Henry Bryant joined McGee for SBC ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Days alongside Hurst. McGee said the defensive line is the foundation of leadership on his defense.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHenry really is a leader by the way that he works. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s not vocal, but he leads and plays extremely hard with everything he does,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ McGee said of Bryant. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œHis example is set by the way that he goes about his work every day. ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s refreshing. All 45 guys lead in a different way, and he leads by example.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m encouraged by his leadership for the defensive line. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s taken kids under his wing that weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve signed from high school.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Bryant says being detail-oriented is paramount.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œFor the defense as a unit, the goal is to win, dominate and have an impact on the season,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Bryant said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re working on the small things to make minimal mistakes. As far as off the field, IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d say we want to continue to make bonds and friendships.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Bryant, a 5-foot-11, 285-pound defensive lineman, was a fullback in high school.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIt would be lovely to tote the bean again,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Bryant said with a laugh when asked if heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™d get to carry the ball.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll look into it,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ McGee joked.
At quarterback, Christian Veilleux returns as a redshirt senior. McGee said he entered fall camp as the top quarterback and would be treated as such. He totaled 2,047 passing yards and 13 touchdowns in 10 games.
McGee said that he could see the depth his team has at quarterback potentially playing a role.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m very encouraged by the room,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ McGee said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œCam Brown transferred from Texas Tech and was from Georgia. He brings a different flair to the game. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s competing and getting better. PJ Hatter is in the same boat as a dual-threat type of quarterback.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI think we have to maximize the things that Cam Brown and PJ Hatter bring to the table. In critical moments, weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll utilize the players that help us win games.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The Panthers open 2025 with a matchup against Ole Miss at 7:45 p.m. Saturday. Non-conference opponents include Memphis, Murray State and Vanderbilt. The PanthersÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ SBC West opponents will be South Alabama and Troy.
