The University of Louisiana at Monroe Warhawks (4-4, 2-1 Sun Belt) soared over the Georgia State Panthers (0-8, 0-3 Sun Belt) by a score of 38-10.
The Warhawks were energized by the return of senior quarterback Kolton Browning. Browning, the Sun Belt conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, suffered a quad injury four weeks ago in the game against Tulane and was believed to be out for the rest of the season.
However, Browning made an expedited recovery and was cleared by doctors earlier this week for the Georgia State game.
Browning made the start and led the offense to their second most productive game this season passing the ball efficiently for a rating of 176.7.
ULM produced 533 total yards on offense running 81 plays and winning the time of possession battle by just over five minutes.
Browning went 21-for-39 picking up 225 yards and four touchdown passes.
Ten different ULM receivers came up with receptions while half made touchdown receptions.
Leading the pack of receivers was senior Je’Ron Hamm who had four receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown.
Hamm’s touchdown came after an interception by linebacker Hunter Kissinger off of Panthers backup quarterback Ben McLane.
Browning found Hamm from 19 yards away giving the Warhawks a 21-10 lead and shifting the momentum in the Warhawks favor for the remainder of the game.
The Warhawks took an early 14-0 lead to start the game and were threatening to take a three possession lead when Terrance Woodard met Browning in the backfield forcing a fumble.
Senior linebacker Robert Ferguson picked the ball up running 87 yards for a touchdown.
It was the first fumble recovered for a touchdown in Georgia State history.
A momentum shift was palpable as the Panthers defense quickly forced the Warhawks to punt on the next drive.
The Panthers were able to travel down to the ULM 7-yard line, but misplaced passes from McLane brought kicker Will Lutz in to finish the drive on a 25-yard field goal putting 10 unanswered points up for Georgia State cutting the deficit to four.
The momentum continued in Georgia State’s favor as head coach Trent Miles called for an unexpected onside kick that was recovered by true freshman Kight Dallas.
However, the Panthers were unable to capitalize as McLane’s interception to Kissinger ended the Panthers momentum.
“We got it to 14-10, we recover an on-sides kick and have the momentum, but we gave it right back,” Miles said to Georgia State Athletics.
Bell and McLane threw a combined three interceptions, two of which led to touchdowns for the Warhawks.
McLane, in addition, had a lost fumble while running into the end zone on the final play of the first half.
“We had a chance to put points on the board at the end of the first half and we fumbled,” Miles told Georgia State Athletics frustrated with the four turnovers committed by his quarterbacks.
The quarterback issues may stem back to injuries that continue to plague the Panthers offensive line.
Center Mark Ruskell left the game in the second quarter with a leg injury. Miles shifted guard Tim Wynn to center. Wynn, who had no experience at center, was the fifth center for the Panthers this season because of players leaving the team and injuries.
Ronnie Bell started at quarterback for the Panthers, but was taken out after throwing two interceptions in three drives.
Bell returned to the game in the second half, but was unproductive and taken out of the game after two drives.
Bell finished the game completing two of nine pass attempts for 22 yards, his worst performance of the season.
McLane was not able to get the offense rolling either completing 10 passes on 22 attempts for 86 yards.
It was the running game for Georgia State- for the first time this season- that produced more yards than the passing game.
The Panthers rushed for 136 yards while only passing for 108.
Senior running back Travis Evans broke former Georgia State running back Donald Russell’s career rushing yards record to become Georgia State’s all-time leading rusher with 1,428 yards.
Evans ran for 25 yards on 12 carries against the Warhawks.
True freshman Jonathan Jean-Bart picked up 60 yards on seven carries. His longest was for 32 yards that help set the Panthers up for a field goal.
After being on the road for two weeks, the Panthers return home next Saturday to face Western Kentucky (4-4, 1-3 Sun Belt) who is coming off a close loss to the Troy Trojans.
