PANTHERS COME UP SHORT!!
Coming off their biggest win of the season, expectations were high inside the Panthers locker room. I think if you asked Foster and or other player they would tell you they felt they could beat anyone in the country including #1 Texas and for 3 Quarters it looked like that confidence was going to help Georgia State to their 5th win of the season.
Despite trailing (7-0) in the 1st, Despite trailing (14-10) at the half and despite losing their starting QB (Foster) midway through the 2nd Quarter, Georgia State never gave up hope.
USF would expand their 1st half lead to 20-10 in the 3rd Quarter on a pair of V. Sharpe FG's (22 and 25 yds), but the Panthers would battle back and take the lead into the 4th Quarter on a pair of TD's from their backup QB C. Handy.
First Handy would find All-American TE L. Pitts on a 49 yd bomb to make it (20-17) and then with 54 seconds left in the Quarter Handy would find Pitts again this time on a 16 yd strike to make it (24-20).
The Bulls would answer back early in the 4th as N. Penn connects with A. Fraser on a 30 yd score to make it (27-24) but 4 minutes later Handy would put the Panthers back on the scoreboard with a 23 yd bomb to P. Jacobs to make it (31-27). South Florida however wasn't ready to just give up. after a 28 yd kickoff return, Penn would lead the Bulls on a 11 play 72 yd drive ending with a 4 yd TD pass to G. Wilson to give USF the (34-31) lead with 1:24 to play.
With Foster still on the sidelines, Handy would lead the Panthers out 1 more time looking to secure the "W" for his team.
Handy's first play would go for a 12 yd gain as Jacobs makes his 5th catch of the night. Then it was Handy back to Jacobs this time on a 22 yd gain as the Panthers move the ball pass midfield with 48 seconds on the clock. For Handy it was a career night. He was 10/13 for 230 yds and 3 scores, but Handy's next 2 pass's would fall short leaving GSU to face to a 3rd and 10 with 38 seconds on the clock. Handy would drop back scramble right and tuck looking like he was going to run, the defense bit as Handy pulls up and fires a strike to L. Malone streaking across the middle. At first glance it looked like Malone had the first down but the ref's give him a horrible spot setting up a 4th and 2 with 31 seconds to play.
Coach Vader is left facing a decision that will probably keep him up every night for next 2 weeks (GSU has a bye week in Week 11). The Panthers can attempt to tie the game and most likely force OT with a 44 yd FG attempt or they can try and pickup the 1st down and try and give Watson a closer attempt or even try for a shot to the endzone once or twice.
Vader elects to bring out the kick team. The snap was good, but Watson's kick is wide right..... USF would kneel out the clock.. Ball game over.
FINAL SCORE USF-37 GSU-34
KEY PLAYERS
QB C. Handy-11/16 244 yds 3 TD 8 carries 46 yds 1 fumble
QB J. Foster-6/18 122 yds 1 TD
RB E. Muhammad-12 carries 52 yds 1 Fumble
WR P. Jacobs-8 rec 196 yds 2 TD
TE L. Pitts-5 rec 116 yds 2 TD
Foster's injury was bruised ribs. He is listed as probable for next week, but the Panthers are on a bye week, so it is the team's hopes that he will be ready Week 12 against Georgia Tech also has a bye week next week. The Yellowjackets are currently (6-3) after beating South Alabama 45-0 in Week 10