BOONE – In their first home game in 37 days, App State secured a crucial 33-26 victory over Georgia State on Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium, marking their first Sun Belt Conference win of the season.
The Mountaineers (3-4, 1-3) ended their conference drought in dramatic fashion, with quarterback Joey Aguilar connecting with Kanen Hamlett for a 4-yard touchdown pass with 1:51 remaining. Aguilar's subsequent two-point conversion run provided the final margin in front of 33,783 fans.
The afternoon featured seven lead changes, with neither team able to build more than a nine-point advantage. App State's offense generated 479 total yards, led by Aguilar's efficient passing performance. The quarterback completed 18 of 27 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.
Kaedin Robinson emerged as Aguilar's primary target, collecting five receptions for 121 yards, including a crucial 50-yard connection that set up a second-quarter touchdown. Makai Jackson added four catches for 67 yards and a touchdown, while Dalton Stroman and Hamlett each caught scoring passes.
On the ground, Ahmani Marshall paced the Mountaineers with 115 yards on 18 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that gave App State its first offensive score of the day.
Georgia State (2-5, 0-4) showed resilience throughout, particularly in their rushing attack. Michel Dukes averaged 13.5 yards per carry, finishing with 81 yards and a touchdown on just six attempts. The Panthers' ground game totaled 194 yards, with quarterback Zach Gibson adding 192 yards through the air on 16-of-22 passing.
The game's opening points came via an unconventional route when App State recorded a safety at the 13:27 mark of the first quarter. Georgia State responded with Liam Rickman's 26-yard field goal early in the second quarter, establishing the pattern of alternating leads that would continue throughout the afternoon.
The second quarter proved particularly eventful, featuring 32 combined points. Ted Hurst's 4-yard touchdown reception from Gibson and Dukes' 9-yard scoring run highlighted Georgia State's offensive surge, but App State countered with Marshall's touchdown plunge and Jackson's 18-yard touchdown catch.
The Mountaineers' defense made crucial stops when needed most, recording three sacks and six tackles for loss. Santana Hopper led the defensive effort with two sacks, while Jordan Favors contributed 10 tackles.
The victory held additional significance for App State, coming after Hurricane Helene had forced the cancellation of their September 28 home game against Liberty. The win also marked their first Saturday home game since their August 31 season opener, a span of 56 days.
Georgia State's defense forced one turnover and repeatedly challenged the Mountaineers in the red zone, holding them to four scores in seven attempts inside the 20-yard line. Jeremiah Johnson led all defenders with 10 tackles, while the Panthers' front seven generated consistent pressure with five quarterback hurries.
Up Next
App State looks for a second straight Sun Belt Conference win, hosting East Division rival on Saturday afternoon while Georgia State plays a non-conference game against UConn on Friday night.
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