Kelton Hill single-handedly tried to give Georgia State the complete game it hasn't had all season, including one of the most exciting plays in the team's short history.
Hill passed for four touchdowns and rushed for another to lead Georgia State to a 42-35 victory over Campbell in the Panthers' regular-season finale on Saturday at the Georgia Dome.
It was almost the performance that coach Bill Curry has looked for during this season of disappointment. Of course, the fact that it capped a 3-8 campaign made the post-game press conference surprisingly subdued.
"It's wonderful to have a win, but we all know what could have been this year," Curry said. "That to me is extremely sobering. What our record could be and what it is is two very different things."
The offense did things it hasn't done much of the season. Choosing to run a simpler game plan, with none of the trick plays or wildcat formations spotlighted throughout the season, the unit dominated with a school-record 514 yards. Hill not only tied a single-game record for touchdown throws, but also passed for 213 yards and rushed for 141 more. Combined with Donald Russell's career- and game-high 146 yards, the team posted its first game with two 100-yard rushers and set a school record with 301 rushing yards.
"Awesome," Hill said after being told of the numerous records the team set.
The defense didn't match that adjective, but did just enough, limiting the Camels to 338 yards and creating two turnovers. Curry also expressed his exasperation with that unit, which allowed 21 points in the fourth quarter.
"We still have light years to go to have the mental toughness to put the clamps down and finish the game pulling away, rather than allowing someone to come back on us again and again," Curry said.
With Hill at the helm, the defense had a bit of necessary breathing room.
Leading 21-14 in the third quarter, the team called an option play to the left. Hill read the option to Russell, who got drilled, kept the ball and took off left. After a few yards he spun back to the right to slip out of a tackle and then sprinted all the way back across the field for a 39-yard touchdown. It was arguably the most exciting play for the team this year and gave the Panthers a 28-14 lead.
"Honestly, I was just trying to pick up the first down," he said. "Then I saw open grass in front of me. So I took it and made the defender miss and it was off to the races."
Hill added a touchdown pass, this time a 3-yarder to Arthur Williams, to increase Georgia State's lead to 35-14 with 12:42 remaining. It was Hill's fourth touchdown pass. He also had scoring passes of 56 yards to Danny Williams and two to Jordan Giles, one for 3 yards and another for 55.
As impressive as the performance was, Curry didn't seem at all satisfied.
"...There are no illusions about this being some sort of redemption," Curry said. "Redemption would have been, like I said, a six-game winning streak, which is something we were perfectly capable of it we had been a little better coached and if we had responded a little better. We are going to build on that. ... Like I said, we've got a tremendous amount of work to do."
Etc.
Campbell wide receiver Jordan Hildreth, who was carted off the game in the fourth quarter, is expected to be fine, according to Georgia State's training staff . Hildreth was hit hard in the front and back by two Panthers defenders after making a 25-yard catch at the 7-yard line. Hildreth didn't move after the hits, but eventually gave a thumb's up as he was carted off the field. He was able to move but was sent to Piedmont Hospital for precautionary X-rays on his neck. "I have to say to Jordan Hildreth and his family that he is in our prayers," Curry said.
