Late kick lifts Georgia State

Sports

Late kick lifts Georgia State

Georgia State opened the season with a 38-37 win over Abilene Christian Aug. 28, 2014, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The win snapped a 16-game Panthers losing streak.

Georgia State kicker Wil Lutz defeats Abilene Christian 38-37 on this field goal in the final seconds of the game in their season opener during the first FBS game of the 2014 season in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 27, 2014. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

A Georgia State fan celebrates in the aisles on the way to defeating Abilene Christian, 38-37, in the season opener Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The win ended the Panthers' 16-game losing streak.

Georgia State quarterback Nick Arbuckle runs for a long first down, setting up a field goal to defeat Abilene Christian 38-37 in the final seconds of the game.

The celebration begins as Georgia State kicker (96) Wil Lutz defeats Abilene Christian 38-37 on a field goal in the final seconds of the game in their season opener during the first FBS game of the 2014 season in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 27, 2014. Abilene Christian defender Tyler Chapa (far left) was unable to block the kick. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Georgia State players mob kicker (96) Wil Lutz (center) who defeats Abilene Christian 38-37 on a field goal in the final seconds of the game in their season opener during the first FBS game of the 2014 season in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 27, 2014. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Georgia State celebrates defeating Abilene Christian 38-37 on a field goal in the final seconds of the game in their season opener during the first FBS game of the 2014 season in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 27, 2014. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Georgia State head coach Trent Miles consoles Abilene Christian quarterback Parker McKenzie after his team defeated Abilene Christian 38-37 in the season opener.

Abilene Christian wide receiver Jace Hudson out-battles Georgia State cornerback Marcus Caffey for a touchdown reception in the end zone to take a 30-21 lead in the third quarter.

Georgia State head coach Trent Miles (left) and quarterbacks coach Luke Huard celebrate season-opening 38-27 win over Abilene Christian on a field goal in the final seconds of the game.

Georgia State quarterback Nick Arbuckle (from left), wide receivers LynQuez Blair, and Robert Davis celebrate a touchdown reception by Blair against Abilene Christian to cut the lead to 30-28 during the fourth quarter.

Georgia State wide receiver Donovan Harden makes a reception past Abilene Christian linebacker Lynn Grady during the first half in their season opener in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 27, 2014. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Georgia State quarterback Nick Arbuckle prepares to play Abilene Christian during their season opener college football game in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 27, 2014. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Georgia State quarterback Nick Arbuckle wears a tribute to his mom on his pads as he prepares to play Abilene Christian during the season opener in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 27, 2014. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Georgia State quarterback Nick Arbuckle hands off to running back Krysten Hammon against Abilene Christian in their season opener college football game in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 27, 2014. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Georgia State quarterback Nick Arbuckle and tight end Joel Ruiz celebrate their touchdown over Abilene Christian during their season opener college football game in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 27, 2014. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

082714 ATLANTA: Georgia State wide receiver Robert Davis (left) and Jonathan Lytle celebrate the Panthers second touchdown over Abilene Christian. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Georgia State tight end Joel Ruiz dives into the endzone past Abilene Christian cornerback Justin Stewart for a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead during the first quarter of the first FBS game of the 2014 college football season in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 27, 2014. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Abilene Christian quarterback Parker McKenzie leaps over Georgia State defenders (47) Sean Jeppesen, from left, Nate Simon, and Mackendy Cheridor for a first down during the second quarter of the first FBS game of the 2014 college football season in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 27, 2014. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Georgia State running back Krysten Hammon leaps over Abilene Christian defensive back Angel Lopez for a first down during the first quarter of their season opener college football game in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 27, 2014. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Abilene Christian quarterback Parker McKenzie trys to flip the ball forward for an incomplete pass over Georgia State defender Tevin Jones during the first half of the first FBS game of the 2014 college football season in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 27, 2014. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

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Georgia State kicker Wil Lutz defeats Abilene Christian 38-37 on this field goal in the final seconds of the game in their season opener during the first FBS game of the 2014 season in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 27, 2014. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

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