Game Preview

Coming off one of the top offensive outputs in program history, Georgia State returns to action to host Texas State for Homecoming at Center Parc Stadium.

Before their open date on Oct. 16, the Panthers (2-4, 1-1 Sun Belt) exploded for a 55-21 victory at ULM. GSU scored a school-record eight touchdowns while tying the program highs for points scored (55), margin of victory (34) and first downs (39). The Panthers piled up 572 yards of offense, including 326 yards on the ground, the fifth-best single-game in GSU annals.

“This is an important day for our football program and for our University as we host a very good Texas State team for Homecoming,” head coach Shawn Elliott said. “Halfway through our season, we had a good opportunity to rest our minds and bodies and get ready for the stretch run. We're excited to get back on the field.”

Quarterback Darren Grainger tied the GSU record by accounting for five touchdowns to lead the Panthers at ULM. The junior transfer, who passed for 230 yards and rushed for 84, threw two TD passes each to tight end Aubry Payne and wide receiver Ja’Cyais Credle, and also scored on a 1-yard run.

In his four starts, Grainger has thrown nine TD passes. His top targets have been sophomores Jamari Thrash and Credle. Thrash is the Panthers leading receiver with 17 catches for 220 yards, including a 35- yard TD catch vs. Charlotte and a 12-yard TD at Auburn.

Credle had his best game at ULM, recording career highs with seven receptions for 130 yards, including scoring plays of 31 and 38 yards. For the season, he is the team's second-leading receiver (14-221-3). Those two sophomores have stepped into prominent roles while top receivers Sam Pinckney and Cornelius McCoy have battled injuries.

The Panther tight ends are also key players in the passing game, including Payne, who also had a career game in the win at ULM. His two receiving touchdowns give him eight for his career, while fellow tight end Roger Carter has 11 career TD catches.

The ground game features the senior trio of Tucker Gregg (350 yards, 2 TD), Jamyest Williams (239 yards, 2 TD) and Destin Coates (186 yards, 1 TD), along with Grainger, the team’s second-leading rusher with 266 yards and one score.

With 326 yards rushing against ULM, Georgia State has achieved two of the top eight rushing performances in program history in the last four games, including 298 yards vs. Charlotte.

Defensively, the Panthers are led by the linebacker tandem of Jordan Veneziale (50 tackles, 3.5 TFL) and Blake Carroll (43 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks). Veneziale's average of 8.3 tackles per game ranks third in the Sun Belt.

All-Sun Belt Conference placekicker Noel Ruiz ranks among the active FBS leaders in career points (356), field goals (56) and extra points (188).

Texas State (2-4, 1-1 Sun Belt) holds a 4-3 margin in the series, which began in 2013. The Panthers won three straight against the Bobcats from 2015-17, but Texas State came back to capture the last two games in 2018 and 2019. The two teams did not meet in 2020.

The last meeting resulted in the longest game in GSU history as the Panthers fell 37-34 in triple overtime in San Marcos in 2019. Georgia State’s last win in the series was a 33-30 victory at Texas State in 2017, a win that made the Panthers bowl eligible in head coach Shawn Elliott’s first season.