1 of 16
Javon Denis Javon Denis
Javon Denis
Photo Credit: Georgia State Athletics
Javon Denis and Thomas Gore Javon Denis and Thomas Gore
Javon Denis and Thomas Gore
Photo Credit: Georgia State Athletics
Michael Hayes Michael Hayes
Michael Hayes
Photo Credit: Georgia State Athletics
Javon Denis and Tylon Dunlap Javon Denis and Tylon Dunlap
Javon Denis and Tylon Dunlap
Photo Credit: Georgia State Athletics
Georgia State at James Madison Georgia State at James Madison
Georgia State at James Madison
Photo Credit: Georgia State Athletics
Terrell Gordon Terrell Gordon
Terrell Gordon
Photo Credit: Georgia State Athletics
Terrell Gordon Terrell Gordon
Terrell Gordon
Photo Credit: Georgia State Athletics
Darren Grainger Darren Grainger
Darren Grainger
Photo Credit: Georgia State Athletics
Darren Grainger Darren Grainger
Darren Grainger
Photo Credit: Georgia State Athletics
LaMarcus Brand LaMarcus Brand
LaMarcus Brand
Photo Credit: Georgia State Athletics
Darren Grainger Darren Grainger
Darren Grainger
Photo Credit: Georgia State Athletics
Darren Grainger, Malik Sumter Darren Grainger, Malik Sumter
Darren Grainger, Malik Sumter
Photo Credit: Georgia State Athletics
Diego Medina Diego Medina
Diego Medina
Photo Credit: Georgia State Athletics
Georgia State at James Madison Georgia State at James Madison
Georgia State at James Madison
Photo Credit: Georgia State Athletics
Georgia State at James Madison Georgia State at James Madison
Georgia State at James Madison
Photo Credit: Georgia State Athletics
Georgia State at James Madison Georgia State at James Madison
Georgia State at James Madison
Photo Credit: Georgia State Athletics
40
Georgia St. GSU 4-7 , 3-4
42
Winner James Madison JMU 7-3 , 5-2
Georgia St. GSU
4-7 , 3-4
40
Final
42
James Madison JMU
7-3 , 5-2
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
GSU Georgia St. 10 24 0 6 40
JMU James Madison 7 7 21 7 42

Game Recap: Football |

Panthers Come Up Just Short at James Madison, 42-40

HARRISONBURG, VA. -- Marcus Carroll's touchdown run with 2:30 left pulled Georgia State within two points, but the try for the tying 2-point conversion was unsuccessful as the Panthers fell 42-40 at James Madison Saturday at Bridgeforth Stadium.

The Georgia State (4-7, 3-4 Sun Belt) defense recovered a school-record four fumbles and returned two of them for touchdowns to help the Panthers build a 34-14 lead at halftime, but James Madison (7-3, 5-2) scored four straight touchdowns in the second half to take 42-40 lead early in the fourth quarter.

The Panthers final touchdown was set up by the defense's fourth fumble recovery of the day as Tre Moore recovered to give GSU the ball at the JMU 45 with six minutes left. Carroll rushed five straight times, and on fourth down at the JMU 28, Grainger found Jamari Thrash for a first down at the 12. Two plays later, Carroll bulled his way into the end zone from six yards out, but Grainger's threw incomplete in the end zone on the try for two.

James Madison recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock.

Thrash finished with four catches for 136 yards in his second straight 100-yard game. Grainger passed for 176 yards on just eight completions with one touchdown passing and one rushing. But the Panthers managed just 81 yards rushing and a season-low 257 yards of total offense.

The Panthers took the lead by scoring on consecutive snaps late in the first quarter. Michael Hayes booted a 51-yard field goal for his career long and the third-longest field goal in school history.

On JMU's next snap, noseguard Thomas Gore sacked Centeio and caused him to fumble, and Denis scooped and scored for a 21-yard touchdown and a 10-7 lead. That is the second fumble return for touchdown for Denis, who also had one in last year's bowl victory.

After the Panthers forced a punt and took over at their own 32-yard line, GSU had another quick score needing just four plays to travel 68 yards. Grainger hit Thrash for 39 yards to the JMU 29, and on 3rd-and-9, the GSU quarterback scampered around the right end and outran the defense to the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown run and a 17-7 lead with 10 minutes left in the half.

James Madison fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Jordan Jones recovered for GSU to set up Hayes' second field goal of the day. 

The Dukes also fumbled on their next possession, and this time Terrell Gordon recovered and returned it for a 32-yard touchdown that put the Panthers up 27-7 with 7:26 left in the first half.

That marks the first time GSU has returned two fumbles for touchdowns in a game. The four fumble recoveries give Georgia State a school-record 25 turnovers gained on the season.

After James Madison managed a touchdown with 1:28 left in the first half, the Panthers responded on their next play. Grainger took the snap and flipped it to Thrash on a jet sweep. Thrash raced around the right end and all the way to the end zone for a 75-yard touchdown reception and a 34-14 halftime lead.

The 75-yard pass play is Georgia State's longest play of the season, the longest reception of Thrash's career and Grainger's longest pass in a GSU uniform.

Sixth-year senior center Malik Sumter started his 52nd consecutive game for the Panthers, breaking the school record set last season by guard Shamarious Gilmore, who started 51 in a row.

Another sixth-year offensive lineman, right guard Pat Bartlett, played in his 60th game to tie Gilmore for that record.

Georgia State concludes the season next Saturday with a noon game at Marshall.
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