Georgia State closed out its opening three-game homestand with a 48-38 loss to the Air Force Falcons in a game that saw the two teams combine for nearly 1,100 yards in total offense.
Air Force wasted no time getting on the board as they scored a touchdown on the opening drive in the game. Jacobi Owens scored on a two yard touchdown run to give the Falcons an early 7-0 lead in what was an efficient opening drive.
The Panthers hoped to answer on its following drive and advanced the ball to the Air Force 20 yard line. Jonathan Lytle got the carry on a 4th and 1 play before being stopped short of first down yardage.
The Falcons responded by extending their lead. Their ensuing drive would last just over two minutes and would conclude with quarterback Kale Pearson finding Garrett Brown for a 37 yard touchdown pass. The score became 14-0 Air Force.
Georgia State’s second drive would also end in them moving the ball deep in Air Force territory but coming away with no points. They began their third drive with decent field position at their own 44 yard line. It resulted in runningback Kyler Neal, who got the start for the suspended Krysten Hammon, dragging defenders with him to the end zone for a 25 yard touchdown run. This cut the Falcons’ advantage to 14-7.
As the Panthers were about to start their following offensive series, the first play of the drive resulted in Nick Arbuckle’s pass being tipped and intercepted by Jordan Pierce who returned it to the Georgia State 14 yard line. The Falcons converted it into points with Owens’ second touchdown run of the game to extend the lead back out to 14 at 21-7.
That score became 28-7 as Pearson kept the ball himself for a one yard touchdown run after a drive that lasted nearly three minutes and eight plays.
The Panthers trimmed the Falcons’ advantage to 28-10 when Wil Lutz kicked his first field goal of the game after a nine play, 68 drive with just over a minute to play in the first half.
It appeared as if 28-10 would be the halftime score, but Air Force would extend its lead back out to 28 on their final drive of the half. A 48 yard completion from Pearson to Jale Robinette set up Will Conant for a 22 yard field goal to make the score 31-10 as the first half concluded.
Instrumental in the Falcons’ huge lead over Georgia State was Owens rushing for 110 yards in the half. The Panthers’ total rushing attack only was able to muster 54 yards for the first two quarters.
Both teams punted on their opening drives of the second half. Midway through the third quarter, Georgia State trimmed their deficit to 31-17. A pair of huge running plays by Kyler Neal and Duvall Smith set up a 15-yard touchdown pass from Arbuckle to Lynquez Blair.
The Falcons responded on their next drive that culminated in a short touchdown run from Pearson—his third overall of the game. That made it 38-17.
Georgia State would once again trim the Falcons’ lead to 14 after a long drive that began at the Panthers’ 25 yard line. A 20 yard run by Smith and completions to Donovan Harden and Joel Ruiz set up Arbuckle for a one yard quarterback keeper to bring the score to 38-24.
A theme would begin to develop as the second half continued. The Panthers would score, yet its defense could not hold the Air Force offense. Georgia State was able to get a stop on a 3rd and 1 play, but a penalty on Tarris Batiste gave Air Force a first down to extend their drive. The Falcons would score with 12:38 left in the game when Pearson connected with Brown for his second touchdown reception of the game. The Air Force lead became 45-24.
Georgia State hung tough as the offense continued to keep the team in the game. The ensuing Panthers possession resulted in a 13 yard touchdown pass to Blair to bring them within two touchdowns again.
The next possession for the Falcons would last for five minutes and would span ten plays for 48 yards. Georgia State was able to keep the Falcons out of the end zone, but Air Force was well within field goal range for Will Conant, who was true from 41 yards out. The score became 48-31 Falcons.
Two plays into the Panthers’ ensuing possession, Duvall Smith converted on a two yard touchdown run that was set up from a 73 yard catch and run from Arbuckle to Kyler Neal to bring the game to a 48-38 score.
The Panthers then tried an onsides kick, but it was recovered by Air Force’s Weston Steelhammer. Georgia State’s defense managed to force fourth down, but the Falcons’ offense was able to convert. They ran out the clock to clinch the game by a final score of 48-38.
“We’re disappointed that we lost. We expect to win every game,” Head Coach Trent Miles said. “The defense is disappointed that they gave up as many points as they did. When you give up 48 points, that’s not playing with enough discipline. But, it’s not like we played horrible. We played very good football, but we’re just young.”
Arbuckle finished the game with 414 yards on 26 out of 42 passing to tie the school’s single-season passing yards record. He came within one yard of that when he passed for 413 against Abilene Christian to open the season.
“The only number that matters to me is the one on that scoreboard,” Arbuckle said. “It’s great to throw for that many yards against a defense like that. But, I’d rather win and throw for no yards than lose and set a record.”
Neal was the leading rusher with 10 carries for 80 yards while Blair had two touchdowns on five receptions and 74 yards receiving.
Linebacker Joseph Peterson also managed to set a record when he recorded his 200th tackle in the second quarter. After the game, he commented on his mark and the team’s defensive miscues.
“Records are meant to be broken, but they’re only records,” Peterson said. “Our defensive mistakes start in practice, and they happen in practice.”
On the Falcons’ side, Pearson had 224 yards on 12 of 15 passing with two touchdowns. Owens rushed for 127 yards on 25 carries. Brown had six receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns.
Georgia State’s next game will be this Saturday as they take the road for the first time this season against the University of Washington Huskies in Seattle.
