Arkansas State gets game-winning TD with 32 seconds left

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Merritt dives for game-winning Arkansas State TD

Layne Hatcher finds Kirk Merritt diving into the end zone with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter, giving Arkansas State a 28-27 win over Coastal Carolina.

Nov 16, 2019, 11:53 pm

JONESBORO, Ark. -- Layne Hatcher connected with Kirk Merritt for a 21-yard, go-ahead touchdown with 32 seconds left and Arkansas State beat Coastal Carolina 28-27 on Saturday despite turning it over five times.

Arkansas State led 21-13 at the end of the third quarter, but Coastal Carolina had consecutive touchdown drives to get within 27-21 with 2:31 left. The Red Wolves answered with an 11-play, 76-yard drive to take the lead.

Coastal Carolina took over with three timeouts and ran it on first down for nine yards, followed by two incompletions. With 18 seconds left, the Chanticleers were stopped short on another run and Arkansas State ran out the clock.

Hatcher was 24 of 35 for 305 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Merritt had 70 yards receiving with two scores, and Omar Bayless added 102 yards and a TD for Arkansas State (6-4, 4-2 Sun Belt). The Red Wolves also lost three fumbles.

Coastal Carolina (4-6, 1-5) turned it over three times. Fred Payton and Bryce Carpenter each threw an interception. CJ Marable rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown.