Georgia State Head Coach Bill Curry:
"These things take a toll on us coaches. We did what we always seem to do. We dug ourselves in a hole and we found a way out. We can make jokes about keeping everyone interested and engaged in the stands, and I think we did, but that's not the objective.
I have yet to give credit to Lamar. They played very well. We were shocked when we saw the tapes of them that they were so athletic and had so many playmakers and we knew we were in for a game.
We didn't mean to make it this type of game. Nonetheless, we did and we still found a way to come back and win in spite of giving up a 99-yard drive, in spite of giving up a touchdown on an interception, in spite of the things we did, we managed to find ways to win the game.
Kicker Iain Vance had a truly heroic game. He was injured and would not come out of the game even when I wanted him to. He made a 46-yarder that ended up being the difference in the game and we had to almost carry him off the field.
Arthur Williams was very skillful today and he gave us play after play, including that touchdown at the end.
We have a lot to work on, but the bottom line is this, we have a winning record for the year and we have a winning record at home. We have one more piece of business to take care of and we are already allowing ourselves to think about it now. We will have a plan for when we go to Tuscaloosa and we will play our hearts out and let the chips fall where they may.
I'm very proud of this team, especially considering that we didn't really even know each other on August 3."
Re: Team appeared flat today?
"I think we started with a lot of zip but then we sort of fizzled and we have done that three weeks in a row. I think the charge of flat is accurate. I don't pretend to understand it. It's a disturbing trend, and it's something we need to work out before November 18."
Re: First season as a whole and importance of having a winning season?
"I think it is critical. I felt more pressure today than any other time of the season personally. I was more anxious because we have had wonderful coverage this year from the media, but there is a flipside to that. If you don't produce you will be remembered for that. This was the game that determined a winning record or not. Today was a big day for our football team."
Junior Tight End Arthur Williams
On his game-winning touchdown catch:
"We went through [the play] in practice, and it was the exact same play as what happened in the Jacksonville State game (in the overtime). So, I just told myself, 'not twice, not in one year.' As I released, the ball was coming right to me, and the defensive lineman slapped it. I just kept my focus on the ball and made the catch."
On his involvement in the offense against Lamar:
"At halftime we made some adjustments and saw some openings. Coach called plays to me, and I tried to do the best I can."
Comparing the play at the end of the Jacksonville State game to today's TD catch:
"In this game you have ups and downs. You just have to forget and have a short memory... It was the same route... I was supposed to help the tackle a little bit, and then leak out into the end zone after the two-count. In the Jacksonville State game, I went a little early, so in this game I tried to stay in longer, and that is why I wasn't so far into the back of the end zone."
On his thoughts after the ball was tipped:
"When he tipped it, I said, 'Oh no!" But, it was in my reach. So I said, 'I have to make this catch."
Quarterback Drew Little
Thoughts on the game-winning touchdown drive:
"Throwing the pick-six on the drive before, I knew the guys were going to be looking to me for confidence and leadership, because that is what I try to do day in and day out in practice. If I drop my head and sulk on it, then the rest of the other 10 guys in the huddle will drop their heads and sulk on it. I couldn't have that, so I had to keep my head up, and just tell them to follow me, and we're going to go ahead and score."
On his tipped pass to Arthur Williams for the game-winning touchdown:
"It was just a pop pass that I've run since I was seven years old. I don't know if we didn't get out enough, or if they covered it well. It was third-and-whatever, so I had to give him [tight end Arthur Williams] a chance to make a play, and he kept his eyes on the ball and made a play for us. I trust in my guys, and they always have my back."
On recovering after throwing the interception the drive before the game-winning touchdown:
"You definitely don't want to do that. You put your team down, but then again, you have to take your team back on your shoulders, and let them look at your for leadership. You have to show them that you shook it off, that it's a new drive, and they can follow you and you're going to lead them down the field for six."
Lamar Football Head Coach Ray Woodard
Opening Statement...
"I am not happy with the way the game started, to get down 10-0 with this bunch. I am very proud of the way we fought back after that and I'm proud of the way we fought in the second half. I thought we improved as a football team today. This was the kind of improvement I was looking for in week two or three, but with that type of effort I wish we had won the football game. I am proud of Georgia State's effort too. Hats off to them for playing a good clean game. I thought they did a great job."
On how quarterback Doug Prewitt played...
"He got better as the game went on. His confidence rose and I thought he did a very good job under the circumstances of this being his very first start. His composure was impressive, but when he did make a bad play, he showed a little maturity out there. When he threw the interception, he came back and played well. I just wish we could have won the game for him."
On Split End J.J. Hayes performance during the game...
"We had been missing him and he is healthy now. He is a big part of our offense when he is healthy and obviously he showed today that he is an exceptional player. We are a much better football team when he plays well."
On the interception return...
"I told my (defensive) players if they would have some patience and read the quarterback's eyes, he may throw us one. It came at a great time and it was a huge play for us. I think the quarterback misread our coverage and I bet they wish they had that play back."
On the 99-yard scoring drive...
"It seems like every time I think this team is going to use an excuse to tank it, we do not. That was a tribute to everybody out there on the field."
On his team's effort on third downs...
"That was just a tribute to our offensive line. We threw it a lot on third down and Doug [Prewitt] did well today."
A WINNING SEASON - Today's win marks the sixth of the season for GSU and assures the team of a winning inaugural season (6-4 with one game to play). The only other recent start-up teams to have six wins are Old Dominion (nine last year) and Robert Morris (seven in 1994). The six are the same as Coastal Carolina in 2003. The six wins are more than FIU, USF, FAU, Jacksonville, Bryant and Campbell in their recent start-up seasons.
Of course, scheduling helps determine those outcomes. GSU's losses have come to No. 2 Jacksonville State (8-0) in OT at the Dome, on the road to South Alabama (8-0), on the road at 5-3 ODU, and to Lambuth (3-5).
HAPPY HOME IN THE DOME - GSU finishes its inaugural season at home in the Georgia Dome with a 5-2 record. The Panthers scored 20 points today to up their season total at the Georgia Dome to 217 points (31 per game average). The defense allowed 17 today and 129 for the season (18.4 average).
There were two overtime games here at the Dome and today's that basically went to the final play before being decided.
OPENING DRIVES- When GSU marched 46 yards with the opening drive to score on a 33-yard field goal it marked the seventh time in the 10 games that GSU has scored on its first possession. The Panthers have 5 touchdowns and two field goals on those opening drives.
THE LONGEST RUN - On the first official play from scrimmage after the opening illegal formation penalty, WR Sidney Haynes took the misdirection handoff 62 yards down the sideline for the longest rush of the season, hence a school record. That topped the 53-yard dash by QB Kelton Hill in game two vs. Lambuth.
FIRST BLOCKED PUNT - When Jordan Giles blocked the Lamar punt on their first drive, it marked the first blocked kick by GSU.
FAST STARTS - With Georgia State's 10-0 lead after the first quarter today, that upped GSU's season first quarter advantage to 79-25 on the season as the Panthers get started quickly.
PASS TD STREAK - Drew Little's first quarter TD upped his streak to seven straight games with at least one TD pass. That was his 17th of the season. His two TD's today give him 18 TD's and his one interception give him 7 for the season for a sterling +11. Little's 189 passing yards put him over 2,000 passing yards for the season (2,033).
KICKING and SCORING - Kicker Iain Vance had three field goals and two extra points today (11 points) to up his season total to 79 points. His 47-yard field goal in the third quarter was his second-longest FG of the season (49 vs. Morehead).
ATTENDANCE FIGURES - Today's attendance of 14,689 upped the final season total to 117,251 for a seven-game season average of 16,750. GSU was No. 12 in the nation coming into today among FCS schools. The high was 30,237 vs. Shorter, the low was 12,647 vs. Lambuth. The JSU game (16,128) and the Morehead game (15,264) were next.
IT'S IN GOOD HANDS - WR Danny Williams had six more catches today to up his team-leading total to give him 53 on the year for 640 yards. He is also used in the prevent defense as the last line and batted down the final two Lamar pass attempts today, per coach's instructions, instead of catching them.
DEFENSIVE EFFORTS - The Panthers had a key pass interception in the fourth quarter, their 10th of the year. Jamal Ransby's second tied him with Brad Chahoy for the team lead. The defense had three QB sacks and forced two fumbles. The sacks were by Christo Bilukidi (team-best five) and Jake Muasau (fourth) and Allen McKay (first).
