ATLANTA -- Georgia State led South Alabama 28-3 with 10 minutes to play when Panthers' head coach
Shawn Elliott called a timeout.
Senior defensive end
Terry Thomas had just made a fourth-down stop at the GSU 7-yard line, effectively sealing the victory. The Panthers took over, and senior quarterback
Dan Ellington handed off to another senior, running back
Tra Barnett, who raced 17 yards, running behind a powerful offensive line anchored by senior left tackle
Hunter Atkinson.
That's when Elliott signaled for the timeout, but it wasn't to discuss strategy or stop the clock.Â
It was to allow those seniors, who have meant so much to the program, to walk off the field at Georgia State Stadium for the final time with much-deserved applause and appreciation from the Panther Family.
"I soaked in the moment," Ellington said after the game. "It was bittersweet because I knew it would be the last time I walked off the field at Georgia State Stadium. I would do anything for Coach Elliott and this staff and this team. I'm very, very happy that I chose Georgia State."
That "senior moment" put an exclamation point on a record-setting season for the Panthers in "Our House."
The victory over South Alabama gave GSU a 5-1 record at Georgia State Stadium, the program's best home record in 10 seasons of football.
Win No. 5 at Georgia State Stadium also gave the Panthers seven victories in the regular season for the first time in program history as Georgia State prepares for its third bowl game in five years.
Not only were the Panthers successful at home this season, but they were high-powered and exciting, averaging nearly 40 points and 500 yards of offense in their six home games.
More highlights from the Panthers' 5-1 record at Georgia State Stadium:
> Topped 50 points in Sun Belt Conference victories over Arkansas State and Troy
> Achieved one of the most prolific offensive days in school history in the 52-38 win over Arkansas State with a school-record 722 yards of total offense. The Panthers ran 99 plays, gained a Sun Belt record 39 first downs and and scored seven touchdowns.
> Topped 300 yards rushing against both Arkansas State and Troy
> Engineered the largest comeback in school history as the Panthers rallied from 17 points down to defeat Furman 48-42.
Dan Ellington threw five touchdown passes to five different receivers as Georgia State scored on seven straight possessions.
> Senior running back
Tra Barnett set school records for rushing yards in a game, season and career, all on the same day in the Panthers' 52-33 win over Troy. Barnett rushed for 242 yards that day!
> Barnett rushed for 128 yards in the Senior Day win over South Alabama to become Georgia State's first 2,000-yard rusher.
> Defeated Army, one of college football's most storied programs, as Ellington connected with tight end
Aubry Payne for the go-ahead touchdown with eight minutes left and cornerback
Quavian White sealed the win with an interception at the goal line in the final minute.
> Hosted a nationally-ranked opponent for the first time in program history
The Panther Family responded to this record-setting team with record-setting attendance numbers. Georgia State averaged more than 17,000 fans for the six home games--the highest figure in program history--including two crowds over 20,000, despite weather challenges with three of the six games played in the rain. Student attendance was the easily the best turnout since the opening of Georgia State Stadium.
The complete 2020 football schedule will be announced March 1 by the Sun Belt Conference, but the home slate includes Sun Belt Conference games against Georgia Southern, Louisiana, ULM and Coastal Carolina as well as non-conference contests against Murray State (season opener) and East Carolina.
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