Week 4: FCS Midwest at Georgia State
Saturday, September 21
Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia State Falls Short After a Slow First Half
FCS MW - 17 | 3 | 0 | 3 (23)
GA St - 0 | 0 | 7 | 13 (20)
The first score of the game came fast. After receiving the opening kickoff, FCS Midwest scored a touchdown in only 50 seconds, after Georgia State missed a tackle and the running back was able to take it in for a score. After a three and out by the Panthers, including a 4 yard loss on a run and then a 8 yard loss on a sack, FCS Midwest had great field position, but Georgia State’s defense was able to pull a three and out themselves and held FCS Midwest to a field goal. After yet another three and out from the home team, FCS Midwest had the ball again and was driving down the field, but strong safety Kail Singleton picked the ball off, stopping the drive. However, Georgia State had another three and out and had to punt the ball again after a false start stopped them from going for it on fourth and short. The first quarter ended with another FCS Midwest touchdown.
There wasn’t much of note in the second quarter. A long drive by Georgia State took up most of the quarter, but the Panthers had nothing to show for it as Lutz’s field goal attempt came up short. The Panthers was able to stop FCS Midwest’s drive and get the ball back with just under a minute left in the half with all their timeouts. A few plays later, on third down, quarterback Bell threw an interception on a wild pass, giving FCS Midwest great field position. The interception resulted in a field goal. On the following kickoff, returner Albert Wilson took it 64 yards into FCS Midwest’s territory with 9 seconds left. Once again, Georgia State had nothing to show for it as Lutz missed a 46 yard field goal attempt to end the half.
Georgia State had the ball most of the third quarter. A couple of third down conversions and even one or two fourth down conversions helped the Panthers run the clock down most of the quarter. It resulted in their first points of the game, a touchdown rush from quarterback Ronnie Bell. FCS Midwest opened up the fourth quarter with a field goal, going up by 16. The Panthers responded with another touchdown, this time a run from runningback Travis Evans. Georgia State went for two to knock it down to an eight point game and one score game, but the attempt was unsuccessful. Georgia State was able to pick off the ball again on FCS Midwest’s next drive, giving the Panthers another chance to get back into the game. A few plays later, Howse took it in for a short touchdown run, with the field goal afterwards, the game was down to 3 points with 1:45 left on the clock. Having all timeouts left, Georgia State made the decision to kick it deep and attempt to stop FCS Midwest. Georgia State was successful and stopped FCS Midwest, but after a sack on third down with under 20 seconds left and no timeouts, the Panthers rushed the fourth down play and miscommunicated, the receiver kept running down the field while Bell thought the receiver was going to run towards the sideline. The ball fell to the ground and FCS Midwest knelt it once to end the game.
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SS Singleton picks the ball off, surely saving Georgia State from another score from FCS Midwest.
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FCS Midwest breaks a few tackles to take it in for another touchdown to end the first quarter.
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Returner Albert Wilson took the kickoff 64 yards, but Lutz missed a 46 yard field goal attempt to end the half.
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A touchdown run from Bell, finally putting points on the board for the home team, late in the third quarter.
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Evans flipping into the endzone for a touchdown. The 2 point attempt was unsuccessful.
Georgia State falls to 2-2 on the year. They have next week off; their next game is in week 6. They’ll be traveling to Tuscaloosa to face off against undefeated #1 Alabama. Expect another loss for Georgia State. If the Panthers somehow upset the Tide, it’ll go down as one of the biggest upsets in college football history.
Team Stats:
Total Offense: FCS MW 213, GA St 288
Rushing yards: FCS MW 47, GA St 114
Passing yards: FCS MW 166, GA St 174
First downs: FCS MW 5, GA St 13
PR yards: FCS MW 41, GA St 44 KR yards: FCS MW 131, GA St 113
Total yards: FCS MW 385, GA St 445
Turnovers: FCS MW 2, GA St 1
3rd down conversion: FCS MW 2-9 (22%), GA St 5-13 (38%)
4th down conversion: FCS MW 0-0 (0%), GA St 1-2 (50%)
2 point conversion: FCS MW 0-0 (0%), GA St 0-1 (0%)
Redzone: FCS MW 0-0-0 (0%), GA St 2-2-0 (100%)
Penalties: FCS MW 3 for 25 yards, GA St 4 for 38 yards
T.O.P.: FCS MW 9:03, GA St 22:57