Georgia State Panthers vs. Louisiana

Georgia State hosts the first college football game in the city of Atlanta as the Panthers open the 2020 season against 19th-ranked Louisiana in a nationally televised game at Center Parc Stadium.

Playing just its 11th season of football and seventh at the FBS level, Georgia State looks to build on a successful 2019 campaign, when the Panthers earned their third bowl berth in five seasons and second in three years under head coach Shawn Elliott. GSU finished 7-6 last season.

The Panthers return eight starters from an offense that was the most prolific unit in program history as well as eight starters on defense.

Georgia State welcomes back four starters on the offensive line, led by senior left guard Shamarious Gilmore, and its top three pass catchers in wide receivers Cornelius McCoy and Sam Pinckney and tight end Roger Carter. Redshirt freshman Cornelious Brown IV takes over at quarterback and junior Destin Coates at running back.

Top returnees on defense include defensive linemen Dontae Wilson and Hardrick Willis, inside linebacker and leading tackler Trajan Stephens- McQueen, and cornerback Quavian White.

Louisiana is ranked No. 19/21 (AP/Coaches) after opening its season with a 31-14 victory at No. 23 Iowa State. The Ragin’ Cajuns won the Sun Belt West in 2019 and are the preseason favorite to repeat.

Georgia State is hosting a nationally-ranked team for the second time in the last three games at Center Parc Stadium. Last November, Appalachian State (RV/24) was the first ranked team to play on the Panthers’ home field.

Georgia State is 0-6 all-time vs. ranked FBS teams, but the Panthers’ first five games against ranked foes came at Power 5 teams ranked 12th or higher in the AP poll. GSU had a close call at No. 9 Wisconsin in 2016, leading 17-13 with less than 10 minutes to play before the Badgers scored the go-ahead touchdown with 7:25 left and went on to win 23-17.

Georgia State and Louisiana are meeting for just the second time since 2015, and the Ragin’ Cajuns are making their first appearance in Center Parc Stadium, the Panthers’ home since 2017. Louisiana leads the series 4-0.

GSU is 5-5 in season openers, including last year’s 38-30 victory at Tennessee, which was the Panthers’ first win over a Power 5 program.