Georgia State scores late, edges Kennesaw State 24-20
ATLANTA -- Dan Ellington threw three touchdown passes, including an 8-yard score to Diondre Champaigne with 41 seconds left, to help Georgia State beat cross-town rival Kennesaw State 24-20 on Thursday night and avoid losing to an FCS school at home in consecutive seasons.
Kennesaw State, in the program's fourth season, won 12 straight games last season and reached the FCS quarterfinals. Its campus is located 25 miles from the Georgia State Stadium.
Ellington's game-winning toss capped a nine-play, 73-yard drive. Ellington threw a 3-yard score to Penny Hart with 50 seconds left in the first half and added a 9-yard scoring toss to Christian Owens to tie it at 14 before halftime following DeAndre Applin's interception.
Justin Thompson made two second-half field goals and the Owls led 20-14 late in the third quarter. Chandler Burks finished 12-of-19 passing for 201 yards with one touchdown.
Game Information
2023 Conference USA Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 8-0 | 13-1 |
| New Mexico State | 7-1 | 10-5 |
| Jacksonville State | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| Western Kentucky | 5-3 | 8-5 |
| Middle Tennessee | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Louisiana Tech | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Sam Houston | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| UTEP | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Florida International | 1-7 | 4-8 |
2023 Sun Belt Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| James Madison | 7-1 | 11-2 |
| Appalachian State | 6-2 | 9-5 |
| Coastal Carolina | 5-3 | 8-5 |
| Old Dominion | 5-3 | 6-7 |
| Georgia State | 3-5 | 7-6 |
| Marshall | 3-5 | 6-7 |
| Georgia Southern | 3-5 | 6-7 |
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Troy | 7-1 | 11-3 |
| Texas State | 4-4 | 8-5 |
| South Alabama | 4-4 | 7-6 |
| Arkansas State | 4-4 | 6-7 |
| Louisiana | 3-5 | 6-7 |
| Southern Miss | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| UL Monroe | 0-8 | 2-10 |
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