BOONE – In their first home game in 37 days, App State secured a crucial 33-26 victory over Georgia State on Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium, marking their first Sun Belt Conference win of the season.

The Mountaineers (3-4, 1-3) ended their conference drought in dramatic fashion, with quarterback Joey Aguilar connecting with Kanen Hamlett for a 4-yard touchdown pass with 1:51 remaining. Aguilar's subsequent two-point conversion run provided the final margin in front of 33,783 fans.

The afternoon featured seven lead changes, with neither team able to build more than a nine-point advantage. App State's offense generated 479 total yards, led by Aguilar's efficient passing performance. The quarterback completed 18 of 27 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.

Kaedin Robinson emerged as Aguilar's primary target, collecting five receptions for 121 yards, including a crucial 50-yard connection that set up a second-quarter touchdown. Makai Jackson added four catches for 67 yards and a touchdown, while Dalton Stroman and Hamlett each caught scoring passes.

On the ground, Ahmani Marshall paced the Mountaineers with 115 yards on 18 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that gave App State its first offensive score of the day.

Georgia State (2-5, 0-4) showed resilience throughout, particularly in their rushing attack. Michel Dukes averaged 13.5 yards per carry, finishing with 81 yards and a touchdown on just six attempts. The Panthers' ground game totaled 194 yards, with quarterback Zach Gibson adding 192 yards through the air on 16-of-22 passing.

The game's opening points came via an unconventional route when App State recorded a safety at the 13:27 mark of the first quarter. Georgia State responded with Liam Rickman's 26-yard field goal early in the second quarter, establishing the pattern of alternating leads that would continue throughout the afternoon.

The second quarter proved particularly eventful, featuring 32 combined points. Ted Hurst's 4-yard touchdown reception from Gibson and Dukes' 9-yard scoring run highlighted Georgia State's offensive surge, but App State countered with Marshall's touchdown plunge and Jackson's 18-yard touchdown catch.

The Mountaineers' defense made crucial stops when needed most, recording three sacks and six tackles for loss. Santana Hopper led the defensive effort with two sacks, while Jordan Favors contributed 10 tackles.

The victory held additional significance for App State, coming after Hurricane Helene had forced the cancellation of their September 28 home game against Liberty. The win also marked their first Saturday home game since their August 31 season opener, a span of 56 days.

Georgia State's defense forced one turnover and repeatedly challenged the Mountaineers in the red zone, holding them to four scores in seven attempts inside the 20-yard line. Jeremiah Johnson led all defenders with 10 tackles, while the Panthers' front seven generated consistent pressure with five quarterback hurries.

Up Next

App State looks for a second straight Sun Belt Conference win, hosting East Division rival on Saturday afternoon while Georgia State plays a non-conference game against UConn on Friday night.

ATLANTA, GA – In a commanding performance, the App State Mountaineers secured bowl eligibility with a resounding victory over the Georgia State Panthers with a final score of 42-14. The Mountaineers' offensive prowess was on full display, highlighted by a series of well-executed scoring plays.

The first quarter set the tone as running back Nate Noel exploded for a 61-yard rushing touchdown, propelling the Mountaineers to an early 7-0 lead. Quarterback Joey Aguilar continued the onslaught in the second quarter, connecting with wide receiver Makai Jackson for a 44-yard touchdown pass, followed by a 3-yard pass to Kaedin Robinson, bringing the score to 21-0. The third quarter saw Aguilar's precision as he unleashed a 77-yard bomb to Dalton Stroman, extending the lead to 28-0.

In the final quarter, the Mountaineers continued to dominate. Running back Anderson Castle added a 9-yard rushing touchdown, and Kanye Roberts contributed a 20-yard rushing touchdown. The Panthers managed to score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, with Tailique Williams catching a 3-yard pass from quarterback Darren Grainger, and Robert Lewis securing a 1-yard pass.

The Mountaineers' ground game was a force to be reckoned with, led by the dynamic duo of Nate Noel and Kanye Roberts, who collectively rushed for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Joey Aguilar showcased his passing skills, completing 14 of 21 attempts for 255 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, the Mountaineers were led by standout performances from linebacker Andrew Parker Jr., safety EJ Jackson, and cornerback Trenton Alan Yowe, who collectively contributed 23 tackles and one interception. The Panthers, despite a resilient effort, struggled to contain the Mountaineers' offensive onslaught.

With this victory, App State moves to 6-4 on the season with a 4-2 record in the Sun Belt Conference. The Mountaineers will take their three-game winning streak on the road next week at James Madison. ESPN’s College Gameday will broadcast from Harrisonburg next Saturday morning.

ATLANTA — Georgia State (1-2) won a defensive battle in Atlanta, 20-9, Saturday night at Center Parc Stadium to hand Charlotte (2-1) its first loss of the football season in the 49ers' first road game.

"They made the plays they needed to make to win the game," head coach Will Healy said.  "Missed an opportunity.  Humbled, frustrated, but not deterred. The response for what happened tonight is going to be the most important part."

Charlotte took a 9-7 lead early in the second half after forcing a safety but the Panthers scored the final 13 points to come away with the victory.

Charlotte benefited from two big turnovers in building its lead but their own fumble in the red zone kept GSU within striking distance.

"We missed some opportunities," Healy reiterated. "Credit to them for making it hard on us. (Panther head coach) Shawn (Elliott) did an unbelievable job. They're  0-2 and their backs against the wall."

Chris Reynolds threw a touchdown pass for the eighth straight game to give the 49ers a 7-0 lead in the second quarter but Georgia State answered with its own TD to knot the score by halftime.

The 49ers' TD was set up when Charlotte graduate student safety Jon Alexander, a transfer from Kansas State, chased down Panthers running back Destin Coates and forced a fumble at the five-yard line to stop a Panthers scoring opportunity.

Charlotte responded on the next drive and converted a pair of fourth downs to extend the possession before Reynolds hit freshman Elijah Spencer with a 36-yard crossing TD for the first score of the game.  Kicker Jonathan Cruz connected on the point after, breaking the record for consecutive PAT's made with 47 straight.

GSU answered with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Darren Grainger to Jamari Thrash with 4:03 remaining in the half.

Charlotte's defense came up big again on the Panthers' first drive of the second half.  After a false start on third and one sent GSU back to its 14, a bad snap sent Grainger into the end zone, where he recovered the snap but threw wildly as Kofi Wardlow applied pressure.  The intentional grounding call resulted in a safety and gave Charlotte a 9-7 lead.

After Charlotte failed to convert on 4th down on the ensuing drive, the Panthers took their first lead, 13-9, on a 28-yard pass from Grainger to Ja'Cyais Credle.  DE Markees Watts blocked the PAT to keep Charlotte within four.

Charlotte drove into the red zone late in the third quarter but fumbled to turn the ball over to the Panthers.

Alexander thwarted another promising Panther drive with an INT at the 49ers' 17-yard line early in the 4th quarter but the 49ers were not able to capitalize.

The Panthers scored again in the closing minutes to ice the victory.

Charlotte will host Middle Tennessee in the 49ers' Conference USA opener, Friday at 6:30.