Panthers Defeat Army 28-21, Remain Unbeaten At Home
The Panthers held off the Army Black Knights on a rainy evening to secure a 28-21 victory at Georgia State Stadium. Quarterback Dan Ellington threw for 232 yards and targeted Sam Pinckney for a pair of touchdowns, also completing one touchdown to tight end Aubry Payne. Tra Barnett added one rushing touchdown and 108 yards.
Georgia State went up 14-7 toward the end of the first half thanks to two passing touchdowns to Sam Pinckney, but Army would answer with an 8-yard rush to tie it up right before halftime.
Army took control early in the second half with a 12-play drive lasting nearly seven minutes, punctuated by a 16-yard touchdown run to put the Black Knights on top 21-14. Georgia State would answer with a rushing touchdown by Tra Barnett, but an errant PAT by Brandon Wright left the Panthers down 20-21 as the third quarter ticked down.
A strong defensive effort by the Panthers held Army on their own side of the field in the opening moment of the final period. Georgia State would take the ball at their own 19 yard line and drive 81 yards to add an Aubry Payne touchdown with 7:41 remaining. Dan Ellington found Roger Carter in the endzone for the two-point conversion to put the Panthers up 28-21.
After a touchback, Army got to work and marched down the field into Georgia State territory. But the Panthers defense answered in a big way with a crucial third down stop on their own 28 yard line. Army would send it to the air on fourth down to try and keep the game alive, but Panthers cornerback Quavian White picked off a desperation pass near the endzone to give Georgia State possession with under a minute remaining.
The Panthers move to 5-2 on the season and 3-0 at home for the first time in program history. Georgia State will seek bowl eligibility next Saturday at 7pm when the Troy Trojans come to Atlanta.