In a heated Week 5 NDL Block 2 rivalry clash, Coach CeeGee’s Georgia State Panthers soared to a 40-22 victory on the road against Georgia Southern, electrifying the Sun Belt with a dominant performance in the “Modern Day Hate” matchup.
The Panthers’ relentless defense and timely offense turned Paulson Stadium into their playground, improving their Block 2 standing with a statement win.
Georgia State set the tone early, with Liam Rickman’s 46-yard field goal and an 8-yard TD pass from Christian Veilleux to Dorian Fleming putting them up 10-0 in the first quarter.
Despite a 10-yard TD catch by Georgia Southern’s Dalen Cobb in the second, the Panthers answered with two more Rickman field goals to lead 16-7 at halftime. “We leaned on our game plan—control the clock and let our defense feast,” Coach CeeGee said, referencing the Panthers’ 18:03 time of possession.
The third quarter was a game-changer. Gavin Pringle’s pick-six off Georgia Southern’s JC French stretched the lead to 23-7, and while the Eagles clawed back with a 7-yard Jalen White TD run and two-point conversion, DJ Murray Jr.’s 9-yard TD scamper made it 30-15.
Murray Jr. was a workhorse, churning out 70 yards and two TDs on 20 carries, though the run game averaged just 2.6 yards per carry.
In the fourth, Murray Jr. punched in a 3-yard TD, and Rickman’s fourth field goal pushed the lead to 40-15. Georgia Southern’s late 36-yard TD from French to Cobb was too little, too late.
Veilleux was efficient, going 14-of-23 for 213 yards and a TD, with Cadarrius Thompson (2 catches, 61 yards) and Ted Hurst (2 catches, 54 yards) shining.
The real MVPs? The Panthers’ defense, which snagged eight interceptions—led by Izaiah Guy and Jyron Gilmore with two each—stifling Georgia Southern’s 279-yard passing attack.
“We knew this rivalry meant everything,” Coach CeeGee said.
“Our guys played with heart, and those picks changed the game. We’ve got work to do on the ground, but this win feels good.”
With their 1st win under their belt, the Panthers look to build on this momentum and keep climbing the Sun Belt ladder.
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