GEORGIA STATE (4-1, 1-0 SBC) at JAMES MADISON (6-0, 3-0 SBC)
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 12:00 p.m. | Atlanta, Ga.
TV: ESPNU
RADIO: Georgia State Radio Network in Atlanta on WRAS-FM 88.5, in Gainesville on WGTJ-FM 97.5, GSU Athletics mobile app, www.LowCountryRadio.com
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ATLANTA-- After celebrating a 42-10 Homecoming win over Old Dominion with a bye-week, Georgia State hits the road to Harrisonburg, Va., for its first conference road match at James Madison on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU. 

The Panthers are 4-1  on the season, matching the best start in program history dating back to the 2023 when Georgia State went 4-0 to begin the season and continued to a 6-1 record through seven games.

In just five games this season, head coach Dell McGee has already matched his win total from his first two seasons combined at Georgia State. After recording four victories across the 2024 and 2025 campaigns, McGee has guided the Panthers to a 4-1 start in 2026, matching his previous two-year win total before the midway point of the season.

Georgia State is averaging 39.4 points and 468.6 yards of total offense per game through five contests, including 209.6 rushing yards and 259.0 passing yards per game. The Panthers have dominated on the ground, outrushing opponents 1,048-635, while holding an 11-6 advantage in rushing touchdowns. Georgia State is averaging 5.3 yards per carry, compared to 4.1 yards per attempt by its opponents.

Georgia State opened the season with a 59-10 win over North Carolina A&T on Sept. 5, setting the program record for most points scored in a game, largest margin of victory and second fewest points allowed in program history. 

SERIES HISTORY

Georgia State and James Madison are meeting for the sixth time in program history. The Panthers are 0-5 in the series. 

SCOUTING THE DUKES

James Madison is undefeated on the season after defeating Georgia Southern 27-24 on the road last week. 

Quarterback Camden Coleman leads the Dukes through the air with 1,150 yards on 96 completions, primarily targeting Corey Scott, who has 289 yards and four touchdowns so far this season. On the ground, George Pettaway leads James Madison with 648 yards and six touchdowns.

Defensively,  Jayon Harvey and Nakian co-lead the dukes with 43 tackles. Jackson has 4.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks. 

LEADING THE SUN BELT

Georgia State's offense currently leads the Sun Belt in 3rd down (0.51) and 4th down (0.625) conversion percentage. They also lead the conference in first downs (116) and total offense (468.6). 

The offensive line leads the conference in fewest sacks allowed (0.4 pg), fewest tackles for loss allowed (3.6 pg)

Georgia State's defense leads the SBC in fewest passing yards allowed (174.0), team sacks (3.8 pg)

The Panthers' special teams leads the conference and ranks seventh in the nation in blocked punts (1). 

   

WEEKLY HONORS

Head coach Dell McGee has been named CBS Sports Head Coach of the Week in back-to-back weeks, first on Sept. 28 after leading the Panthers to a 35-14 win over mountain West opponents Northern Illinois, and next on Oct. 5 after a record-breaking 42-10 conference-opening win over Old Dominion. 

Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson and defensive coordinator Cam Clark also earned Week 5 CBS coordinators of the week. 

Three Panthers have earned Sun Belt Player of the Week honors so far this season. Senior quarterback Cameran Brown has earned two Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week honors (Sept. 14 and Oct. 5) while Junior receiver Isaiah Stone earned Special Teams Player of the Week  (Sept. 28) and senior Xavier Esqillion earned Defensive Player of the Week honors (Oct. 5).

MOVING THE CHAINS

Georgia State enters week six averaging 468.6 yards of total offense per game, including 259.0 through the air and 209.6 on the ground. The Panthers average 5.3 yards per rush and 8.6 yards per pass attempt.

The Panthers have converted 34-of-67 third downs this season, good for 50.7 percent, compared to just 26.2 perfect by their opponents.

GSU has been particularly effective early in drives, converting 61.1 percent in the first quarter and 69.2 percent in the second quarter.

Georgia State also owns a 63-percent success rate on fourth down, compared to 29 percent for its opponents.

ALL GAS, NO BRAKES

Georgia State has scored 197 points through five games, an average of 39.4 points per contest, while opponents are averaging just 19.0. 

The Panthers have scored 25 touchdowns, compared to just 11 by their opponents.

GSU has scored at least 30 points in all five games this season and has topped 35 points three times.

Georgia State owns a 102-point scoring advantage, outscoring opponents 197-95.

The Panthers have been especially productive in the middle two quarters, outscoring opponents 143-46 in the second and third quarters combined. Georgia State has scored 81 points in the second quarter and 62 in the third. The Panthers have recorded 116 first downs, compared to just 79 by their opponents.

Georgia State has scored on 20 of its 22 trips to the red zone this season, a 91 percent success rate. Sixteen of those 22 possessions have resulted in touchdowns.

UP NEXT

Georgia State remains on the road to Jonesboro, Ark. to face non-divisional conference opponents Arkansas State on Saturday, Oct. 24.