Charlotte 49ers vs Georgia State Panthers Match Player Stats On Sep 04, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Sep 4, 2015

Charlotte defensive back Terrance Winchester returned a fumble for a touchdown one minute into the game, sparking the 49ers to a 23-20 win over Georgia State on Friday at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

It was the first game for Charlotte in the college football's top division, but it did not look like a newcomer. Quarterback Matt Johnson passed for 244 and a touchdown, helping the 49ers overcome five turnovers.

Georgia State closed to within 23-20 with 30 seconds to play on quarterback Nick Arbuckle's second touchdown pass of the fourth quarter, a 53-yard completion to wide receiver Penny Hart. But the Panthers' ensuing onside kick sailed out of bounds, securing Charlotte its first FBS victory.

It was a disappointing result for Georgia State, which is in only its third season in the FBS. The Panthers went 0-12 and 1-11 in their first two seasons under coach Trent Miles. They have now lost 12 in a row.

The Panthers turned it over three times in the first half, yet appeared to be in the game after a goal-line stand and a scoring drive in the second quarter. With Charlotte leading 13-0 and threatening at the Georgia State 1-yard line, junior safety Bobby Baker recovered an errant snap, and the Panthers marched inside 49ers' territory before settling for a 29-yard Wil Lutz field goal. Baker also had an interception for Georgia State.

Charlotte answered before half, though, with Johnson hooking up with Austin Duke on a 69-yard touchdown pass that put the Panthers in command at halftime, leading 20-3.

Arbuckle passed for 299 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for Georgia State.