Georgia State’s two-point conversion failed with 2:13 left and the Panthers lost to Arkansas State 35-33 on Saturday in Jonesboro, Ark.
The Panthers fell to 0-11 and the loss can be pinned squarely on a stretch in the third quarter in which they lost two fumbles and had a blocked punt. The Red Wolves (7-4, 5-1 Sun Belt) turned those mistakes into 21 points.
Still, Georgia State fought back and had a chance to tie the game with less than three minutes remaining.
Trailing 35-27, Kelton Hill, who was recruited as a quarterback but moved to wide receiver last year, took a pitch from Ronnie Bell, dropped back and hit Albert Wilson for a 71-yard touchdown with 2:13 left.
On the two-point conversion, Bell scrambled around, trying to find a receiver in the end zone. His pass was incomplete. Arkansas State recovered the onside kick, practically assuring the win.
Leading 17-7 headed into the third quarter, Wilson fumbled as he was being gang-tackled. The ball bounced right to Sterling Young, who returned it 21 yards for a touchdown just seven seconds into the half.
On the Panthers’ next series, Matt Hubbard’s punt was blocked and Raziel Valgis picked it up in the end zone for another touchdown to give Arkansas State a 21-17 lead.
The Red Wolves had 14 points before their offense even hit the field for the third quarter.
Georgia State answered with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Bell to Hill to take a 24-21 lead.
But on their next series, running Jonathan Jean-Bart fumbled and Arkansas State recovered it at the 27-yard line. A few plays later, the Wolves scored to take a 28-24 lead.
Georgia State closed the gap to 28-27 on a 35-yard field goal by Wil Lutz.
But Arkansas State answered with another touchdown to puts its lead to 35-27 and set up the final fireworks.
As poorly as Georgia State played in the second half, it played perhaps its best first half this season.
After the Red Wolves scored on a 32-yard screen pass that should have been stopped for a minimal gain, the Panthers scored 17 consecutive points.
Lutz started with a 40-yard field goal. Bell then added a 4-yard scoring run to give the Panthers a 10-7 lead.
The Panthers forced Arkansas State to punt again, but Wilson fumbled the return and Arkansas State recovered. However, the Red Wolves couldn’t take advantage because Brian Davis’ 44-yard field-goal attempt clanked off the upright. It was his first miss this year.
Two plays later, running back Kyler Neal fumbled and Arkansas State’s Kyle Coleman scooped it up at the 27-yard line and headed for the end zone. Two yards from the goal line, Wilson caught up to him and punched the ball through the end zone, giving the Panthers the ball back at the 20-yard line.
On the next play, Wilson took a handoff, broke a few tackles and rushed 80 yards for a touchdown to give the Panthers a 17-7 lead.
Wilson caught seven passes for 149 yards and rushed twice for 104 yards.
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