FINAL: pic.twitter.com/5TBvK3njA4
— AutoNation Cure Bowl (@CureBowl) December 16, 2017
The first half competitive but can’t say the same about the second half. The Panthers turned it all the way up in the second half to beat Western Kentucky 27-17
The Panthers defense held the Hilltoppers to -2 rushing yards. You aren’t going to win any game with stats like that.
The game started with a Western Kentucky three-and-out, Georgia State got the ball and started driving down the field. Things looked really good for the Panthers until they reached the red zone, after that they stalled and settled for a 42-yard Brandon Wright field goal.
Panthers strike first!
GSU opens the scoring with 3 points on their first drive of the game.
3-0, GSU | 8:07 | 1Q pic.twitter.com/ZfgDWwmdAq
— GSU Football (@GeorgiaStateFB) December 16, 2017
The Hilltoppers would respond almost instantly, QB Mike White spun out of a tackle and found Deon Yelder streaking down the middle of the field wide open for a 54-yard touchdown.
BOOM. Connecting under pressure.
A 54-yard TD for Deon Yelder and @WKUFootball takes the lead. pic.twitter.com/WiXVdEpJ7v
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) December 16, 2017
The Panthers would have a big pass play of their own, QB Conner Manning would find Tamir Jones for a 49-yard strike, setting up a 26-yard touchdown run by Demarcus Kirk.
.@GeorgiaStateFB strikes back with a TD of their own.
They lead 10-7 in the 1st Quarter. pic.twitter.com/mPOoVjsWvJ
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) December 16, 2017
After the teams traded field goals to make the score 13-10 in favor of Georgia State, both teams hit a lull. WKU couldn’t get anything going and the one time they actually moved the ball downfield, White was sacked and fumbled the ball away.
Georgia State wouldn’t be much better the two times they got the ball in the second quarter they couldn’t do anything with it, one drive started at the WKU 36 and they went three-and-out and missed a field goal attempt.
Notable first half stats: Penny Hart 0 catches on two targets, WKU -4 rushing yards.
Half: pic.twitter.com/SmvcXuQuR7
— AutoNation Cure Bowl (@CureBowl) December 16, 2017
The third quarter wasn’t all that interesting besides two great plays that happened back to back for the Panthers.
Penny Hart, who hadn’t had a catch the entire game, finally made one in the third and oh boy was it a great grab.
What. A. Grab. pic.twitter.com/odWl5GthB6
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) December 16, 2017
The very next play, the Panthers ran a double reverse, pass back, flea flicker play and it got them a touchdown. I’ll let the tape show you how beautiful it was.
TRICKERY!!!
TD @GeorgiaStateFB. They score on the 42-yard trick play. pic.twitter.com/X34S0D7HR8
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) December 16, 2017
Western Kentucky opened the fourth trying to pull a Georgia State and run a trick play but the wideout, Nacaris Fant threw the ball up into double coverage and it was picked off by Jerome Smith.
Georgia State capitalized on the Hilltoppers mistake and punched the ball in the endzone on third and goal from the one to go up 27-10 with 5:50 left.
Western Kentucky would score one more touchdown to make it 27-17 but the rally would be too late as Georgia State would hold on to win the AutoNation Cure Bowl.
Notable 2nd half stat: Penny Hart one reception for 27 yards(only catch of the game).
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