Panthers Bring The Noise, Defeat Red Wolves 52-38

Georgia State (3-2, 1-1 in Sun Belt) got off to a hot start and withstood a late surge to outlast Arkansas State (3-3, 1-1) to win 52-38 in their Homecoming game. The Panthers put up video game numbers on offense, totalling a school-record 722 yards. Dan Ellington paced the team with 382 passing yards, adding 69 on the ground and 2 total touchdowns. Tra Barnett led the rushing attack with 139 yards on 14 carries and Sam Pinckney and Cornelius McCoy led the Panthers air attack with 120 yards and 109 yards respectively. Layne Hatcher led the efforts for the Red Wolves, slinging it for 299 yards and 4 TDs, finding star receiver Omar Bayless to the tune of 154 yards and 3 TDs.

The Panther offense jumped out to a 21-0 lead through rushing touchdowns by Tra Barnett, Destin Coates and Seth Paige before the Red Wolves responded by capitalizing on some big plays and scoring 21 of the next 31 points to make it a 31-21 GSU lead at the half. The defenses stepped up in the second half, halting the scintillating pace of the first half and allowing the Red Wolves to chip away at the Panther lead. The offenses traded scores and Arkansas State was able to cut the lead to 7 with 4:27 left, but Georgia State was able to put the game on ice with a touchdown drive, capped off by Coates’ third rushing TD of the day.

The Panthers travel to Conway, SC next Saturday to face the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Kickoff is at 5:00pm EDT.