NDL: S32W1 - Temple (3) at Georgia State (38)
Panthers Ground Game Shines vs Temple
Article By: After a humbling 42-7 defeat to Old Dominion in Week 7, Coach CeeGee’s Georgia State Panthers (3-2, 2-1 Sun Belt) roared back with a commanding 38-3 victory over the Temple Owls (0-1) in their Week 1 NDL Block 1 matchup
The Panthers, unleashed a balanced attack and suffocating defense to dominate at home, improving their Sun Belt standing.
Georgia State exploded out of the gate in the first quarter, with DJ Murray Jr. breaking free for a 63-yard touchdown run, followed by Michel Dukes’ 26-yard TD scamper, staking a 14-0 lead.
The second quarter was all Panthers, as Freddie Brock punched in a 3-yard TD, Christian Veilleux hit Dorian Fleming for a 4-yard score, and Austin McGee hauled in a 41-yard TD pass just before halftime, pushing the score to 35-3 after Temple’s lone 29-yard field goal from Maddux Trujillo.
The Panthers’ ground game was unstoppable, racking up 241 yards on 28 carries (8.6 YPC), led by Brock (110 yards, 1 TD), Murray Jr. (103 yards, 1 TD), and Dukes (31 yards, 1 TD).
Veilleux was efficient, going 14-of-20 for 220 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 INTs, with Ted Hurst (5 catches, 85 yards) and McGee (4 catches, 82 yards, 1 TD) shining.
“We leaned on our run game and play-action to keep Temple guessing,” Coach CeeGee said. “The boys bounced back with focus.”
Georgia State’s defense was relentless, forcing six turnovers, including five interceptions off Temple QB Evan Simon (9/25, 153 yards, 5 INTs). Josiah Robinson led with 9 tackles, 2 picks, and a forced fumble, while Kenyatta Watson II, Tavian Brown, and Jeremiah Johnson each added a pick.
The Panthers held Temple to 226 total yards and controlled the clock with 20:16 time of possession. Temple’s Antwan Littleton (58 yards) and John Adams (6 catches, 103 yards) couldn’t spark a comeback against Georgia State’s smothering defense.
“This was the response we needed after ODU,” Coach CeeGee said. “Our defense set the tone, and the run game took over. We’ve got more work ahead with Blocks 1-4 open and Block 5 starting May 2, but this is a step forward.”
Now sitting second 2nd place in the Sun Belt East with a 3-2 (2-1) record, trailing only the unbeaten Old Dominion (4-0), the Panthers look to maintain their momentum against upcoming foes like UAB and UTSA to bolster their conference title chase.
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