Batiste has two interceptions as Georgia State earns bowl bid to highlight local football 'Athle
Updates on local collegiate and professional athletes currently participating in college football and the NFL.
Bartow Sports Zone does periodic updates on these athletes and those of other sports.
You may check each athlete's link on our Athletes Beyond Bartow page on this site.
Update for games of Saturday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6:
TARRIS BATISTE — Georgia State University (Sr., Cass HS) … picked off a pair of passes, had eight tackles - two for a loss - and forced a fumble as the Panthers became bowl eligible for the first time ever in a 34-7 rout at Georgia Southern Saturday. Batiste was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Student Athlete of the Week for the second time this season as result. Georgia State improved to 6-6 overall and 5-3 in the Sun Belt Conference. Batiste now has four interceptions for the season and 95 tackles as a starter at safety in all twelve games. The Panthers will face San Jose State, Dec. 19 (noon, CBS Sports Network) in the AutoNation Cure Bowl to be played at the Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, FL.
HAYES LINN — Air Force (Jr. Cartersville HS) … saw action for the Falcons in their 27-24 Mountain West Conference championship game loss to San Diego State last Saturday. Air Force slipped to 8-5 overal. Linn has 16 tackles and a pair of pass breakups on special teams and as a safety. He has played in all thirteen games for the Falcons and started three. Air Force will face California in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, TX December 29. The game is a rematch of the 2007 Armed Forces Bowl.
AUSTIN HARRELL — The Citadel (R-Jr., Adairsville HS) … defensive lineman had a tackle for a loss in the Bulldogs 13-7 FCS playoff loss at Charleston Southern. Harrell appeared in 12 of 13 games for the Bulldogs who finished 9-4 overall and were co-champions of the Southern Conference. He had 13 tackles on the season.
COLLIN BARBER — University of Georgia (Sr., Cartersville HS) … in his most recent appearance had two punts for a 40 yard average with a long punt of 41 yards and pinned Georgia Tech inside the 20 yard line with both kicks as the Bulldogs won 13-7. Georgia (9-3) will play next in the Jacksonville, FL Taxslayer Bowl (Gator Bowl) January 2 at noon against Penn State.
VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (1st season, NFL) … a starter at defensive end for the Falcons, Beasley and the Falcons lost Sunday at Tampa Bay 23-19. Through 12 games, Beasley has 20 tackles, two sacks, three passes defended, and one interception. The loss was Atlanta’s fifth in a row and sixth in their last seven games. The Falcons fell to 6-6 on the season and are in the midst of a three game road stretch at Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Jacksonville.
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