Panthers rally, claw past Mocs 24-21

BY JEFF CATE (TEAM FYN SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR)

ATLANTA, Ga. – The second meeting on the gridiron between Chattanooga and Georgia State took place in a place known for the infamous “Infield Fly Game” (sorry Braves fans) and the Braves dominating on the diamond during the Bobby Cox era. The former Turner Field is now the home of the Panthers after being retrofitted into a football specific venue. The Mocs won the first meeting 42-14 in 2013 at the Georgia Dome, but the Panthers would return the favor in the second meeting. UTC had chances to make it 2-0 vs Georgia State, but GSU found a way to secure a 24-21 victory at Center Parc Credit Union Stadium Saturday night.

Rusty Wright’s team got off to a sluggish start in Atlanta, going 3 and out on their first possession and a turnover on their second possession when Gavin Pringle picked off a Chase Artopoeus pass, giving Georgia State the ball inside UTC territory. The Mocs defense forced GSU to settle for a 44-yard field goal with 7:16 remaining in the opening quarter, giving the Panthers a 3-0 advantage. Chattanooga would answer right away on the next possession, driving 75 yards in 11 plays and taking the blue and gold’s first lead of the game on a Artopoeus pass to Dalton Restelli on 4th and goal from the 1-yard line. The Mocs led 7-3, a lead they would take into the second quarter.

Georgia State quarterback Christian Veilleux found Jordan Ford on a 19-yard pass less than 3 minutes into the second quarter, giving the Panthers the lead back 10-7 with 12:31 left in the quarter. The Panthers were on the move once again, threatening to add to their field goal advantage while driving inside the UTC 25-yard line. Like they showed in the first quarter, the defense held and forced another GSU field goal attempt. This time, it sailed wide left from 39 yards out and the lead remained 10-7. After a fumble by Chattanooga, the Panthers once again would get inside the Mocs’ 30-yard line. Jamarr Jones wasn’t having any of it on 4th and 1 from the 27 as he got pressure and held GSU to no gain with just over a minute remaining.

Chattanooga would take advantage of a Georgia State turnover early in the third quarter when Leroy Harris recovered a Veilleux fumble and returned it to the GSU 10-yard line. Reggie Davis would punch it in from 2 yards out and the Mocs were back out in front 14-10 with 10:56 left in the quarter. Veilleux would make up for the fumble on the next drive as he connected with Ted Hurst on a 22-yard strike and just like that the Panthers had a 17-14 lead, a lead they would take into the final 15 minutes.

Artopoeus hit the bullseye on the dart he threw to Sam Phillips 27 seconds into the quarter, who raced 84 yards into the end zone and a 21-17 Chattanooga lead with 11:33 left in the game. The theme of the night was on team scored, the other answered: guess what happens next. After a short kick on the kickoff, Georgia State would drive 59 yards and get the final 12 yards on a Freddie Brock touchdown run with 7:01 to go and the Panthers took the lead 24-21. Chattanooga would get one final opportunity when Georgia State punted and the Mocs would set up shop at their 24-yard line with 1:30 remaining in the game. UTC would get to midfield with about a minute remaining, but Jyron Gilmore would intercept Artopoeus at the Panthers’ 38-yard line with 58 seconds left on the clock.

Chattanooga falls to 0-2 after games at Tennessee and Georgia State to open the 2024 season. The Mocs return home for their first FCS game of the season against Southern Conference foe Mercer next Saturday at Finley Stadium at 6pm. Georgia State improves to 1-1 and welcomes Vanderbilt to town on September 14th.

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