JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Georgia State was close to accomplishing an important pair of firsts: beating its first ranked opponent and earning its first road win in its first try this season.
Instead, the same issues that have plagued the Panthers still weren't solved. Poor special teams, poor run defense and poor discipline combined to help Georgia State lose 37-21 to No. 16 Jacksonville State on Saturday.
"It's mind-boggling," Georgia State coach Bill Curry said.
The Panthers gave up a blocked punt for a touchdown – their second in as many games -- and committed two personal foul penalties that boosted Jacksonville State scoring drives in the second half.
The Gamecocks didn't need the help. Their rushing game was more than a match for the Panthers' defense, which was allowing more than 200 rushing yards per game. Jacksonville State rushed for 246 on 58 carries.
"Until you get a grasp on the run they can do what they want to do, run or pass," defensive coordinator John Thompson. "We aren't doing what we need to do in the run game."
The Gamecocks secured the win by driving 74 yards -- fueled by the combination of running back Calvin Middleton and ex-Georgia tailback Washaun Ealey, as well as key third-down plays -- to take a 30-21 lead with 8 minutes, 2 seconds remaining in the game. Georgia State's defense forced third-and-long situations three times on the drive, and three times the Gamecocks made big plays.
The first came on a third-and-7, with a right-side screen pass to Ealey for 23 yards. On another third-and-seven, quarterback Coty Blanchard picked up five yards, but Middleton got three on fourth down to keep the drive going. The last was a third-and-9 on the Georgia State 26 that the Gamecocks converted with another screen to Ealey, this time to the left, that resulted in 22 yards. Ealey finished the drive a play later with a 4-yard scoring run.
Thompson said Jacksonville State did a good job forcing Georgia State to show where it would apply pressure, then exploiting the defensive call.
A Travis Evans 3-yard touchdown run cut Jacksonville State's lead to 24-21 with 34 seconds remaining in the third. A 54-yard pass from Bo Schlechter to Albert Wilson on third and 10 on Georgia State's 20-yard line set up the scoring play. It was the longest pass play of Schlechter's career.
Jacksonville State's running game and a lack of discipline by Georgia State helped the Gamecocks build a lead in the second half.
The Gamecocks took a 17-14 lead on a 23-yard field goal to open the second half. Jacksonville State ran right up the middle of the Panthers' defense, with Middleton and Ealey doing most of the damage. The drive was helped by a personal foul penalty on Dexter Moody. The infraction gave the Gamecocks first-and-goal on the 8-yard line.
The lead grew to 24-14 on a 17-yard run by Blanchard, following a drive aided by a roughing-the-passer penalty on linebacker Jake Muasau.
"We're going to learn not to do these things," Curry said.
Georgia State gave Jacksonville State a 14-7 lead by allowing another punt, this time a quick-kick by back-up quarterback Drew Little, to be blocked. It was the third to be blocked or partially blocked in the past two games. Barry Stafford burst up the middle and blocked the punt, and Clarence Jackson scooped up the ball and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown.
"We didn't show poise in the clutch," Curry said. "It was one of those days when those kinds of things seem to be happening but it's really more self-inflicted."
About the Author
