GEORGIA STATE (4-2, 1-1 SBC) at ARKANSAS STATE (3-4, 1-2 SBC)
Saturday, Oct. 24 | 7:00 p.m. ET | Jonesboro, Ark.
TV: ESPN+
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 its first conference road match at James Madison, The Panthers continue a two-game conference road swing at Arkansas State on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7:00 pm. ET.

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 six 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 4-2 start in 2026, matching his previous two-year win total before the midway point of the season.

Georgia State is averaging 36.5 points and 452.7 yards of total offense per game through six contests, including 206.0 rushing yards and 246.7 passing yards per game.

The Panthers have dominated on the ground, outrushing opponents 1,236-885, while holding a 13-10 advantage in rushing touchdowns. Georgia State is averaging 5.2 yards per carry, compared to 4.5 yards per attempt by its opponents.

Georgia State opened conference play with a 42-10 Homecoming win over Old Dominion, highlighted by Cameran Brown's program-record six touchdown passes and a defensive effort that held the Monarchs to a program-low 146 yards of total offense. The Panthers also tied the program record with seven sacks, while Xavier Esqillion matched the individual single-game record with three sacks.

Georgia State opened the season with a 59-10 win over North Carolina A&T on Sept. 4, 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 Arkansas State are 2-7 in the series after the Panthers fell 27-20 at home on Nov. 16, 2024. The Panthers look for their first win in Jonesboro. 


LEADING THE SUN BELT

Georgia State's offense leads the Sun Belt in 3rd down (0.475) conversion percentage. They are also second in the Sun Belt in total offense (452.7).

The offensive line leads the conference and are top 10 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed (0.83 pg). They are second in the conference in fewest tackles for loss allowed (3.83 pg)

Georgia State's defense leads the SBC in  team sacks (3.8 pg) and fewest first downs allowed (103). They are second in the conference in fewest passing yards allowed (189.2). 

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


MOVING THE CHAINS

Georgia State enters week seven averaging 452.7 yards of total offense per game, including 246.7 through the air and 206.0 on the ground. The Panthers average 5.2 yards per rush and 8.2 yards per pass attempt.

The Panthers have converted 38-of-80 third downs this season (47.5%) compared to 29.9 percent by their opponents.

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

GSU has been particularly effective on third downs in the first half, converting 57.1 percent of its attempts in the first quarter (12-of-21) and 61.1 percent in the second quarter (11-of-18).


ALL GAS, NO BRAKES

Georgia State has scored 219 points through six games, averaging 36.5 points per contest, while opponents are averaging 24.0. The Panthers have scored 28 touchdowns, compared to 18 by their opponents.

GSU has scored at least 30 points in five of its six games this season and has topped 35 points twice.

Georgia State owns a 75-point scoring advantage, outscoring opponents 219-144.

The Panthers have been particularly productive in the middle two quarters, outscoring opponents 152-74 in the second and third quarters combined. Georgia State has scored 84 points in the second quarter and 68 in the third.

Georgia State has recorded 138 first downs, compared to 103 by its opponents.

The Panthers have scored on 23-of-25 trips to the red zone this season, a 92.0 percent success rate. Eighteen of those 25 possessions have resulted in touchdowns.

GSU has scored 207 of its 219 points through the first three quarters, accounting for 94.5 percent of its total scoring.


SECOND-QUARTER SURGE

holding a 46-point scoring advantage. The Panthers have also outscored opponents 68-36 in the third quarter.

Across the second and third quarters combined, GSU holds a 152-74 scoring advantage.

Georgia State has scored 152 of its 219 points in the middle two quarters, accounting for 69.4 percent of its total scoring.

The Panthers have scored 207 points through the first three quarters, compared to 118 by their opponents.

GSU has scored just 12 points in the fourth quarter this season, while opponents have totaled 26.


SCOUTING THE RED WOLVES

James Madison is 3-4 on the season and 2-1 in the Sun Belt after defeating Southern Miss on Oct. 17. 

Both The Panthers and the Red Wolves defeated Kennesaw State this season. 

Quarterback Trey Owens leads Arkansas State through the air with 1,631 yards on 138 completions and nine touchdowns. He has primarily targeted Hunter Summers and Chauncey Cobb, who both have 32 completions. Summers leads the Red Wolves with 422 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, Soloman Baggett leads Arkansas State with 287 yards and two touchdowns. 

Defensively, Joe Drew leads the Red Wolves with 35 tackles. The Red Wolves have accumulated 3.0 Tackles for loss of 17 yards. 


UP NEXT

Georgia State returns home to host Coastal Carolina in a Halloween showdown on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 2:00 p.m. at Center Parc Credit Union Stadium.