The Georgia State Panthers hosted the Murray State Racers at Center Parc Credit Union Stadium in a matchup between two teams searching for their first win of the 2025 season. It marked only the second meeting between the programs, the first since 2011 when Murray State defeated GSU 48-24. This time, the Panthers flipped the script.
Murray State’s opening drive ended on a failed fourth-down attempt, and the Panthers wasted little time taking control. Branson Robinson ripped off a 47-yard run on Georgia State’s first rushing attempt of the game, setting the tone early. On fourth down, quarterback TJ Finley connected with tight end Ted Hurst for a one-yard touchdown to put the Panthers on the board.
Later in the quarter, Cameran Brown found Hurst for a 31-yard strike, and the drive was capped by a five-yard touchdown pass to Leo Blackburn. By the end of the first quarter, Georgia State led 14-0 behind a balanced attack of 61 passing yards and 80 rushing yards, while holding Murray State under 100 total yards.
The Racers responded early in the second quarter with a five-yard touchdown run by Jawuan Northington, but Georgia State’s defense and special teams quickly shifted momentum. Finley was intercepted on a deep attempt midway through the quarter, yet Murray State could not capitalize. Instead, Jaylen Jones tackled Darius Cannon in the end zone for a safety. Minutes later, Finley’s tipped pass resulted in another interception, but the Panthers’ defense again stood tall, and the offense answered with a one-yard touchdown run by Rashad Amos. Georgia State entered halftime leading 23-7.
The Panthers extended their control in the third quarter when Brown delivered a 16-yard touchdown pass to Hurst, pushing the lead to 30-7. Murray State attempted to rally in the fourth, scoring on a four-yard touchdown pass to Lucas Desjardins, but their two-point conversion failed. Georgia State put the game away on Brown’s three-yard touchdown to Camden Overton. The Racers managed a late three-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Baxter Wright, with a successful two-point conversion, but it was too little too late.
Georgia State closed out a 37-21 victory, earning its first win of the season. The Panthers now turn their focus to a road test in Nashville against SEC opponent Vanderbilt, who opened their season with an upset win over South Carolina.
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