CONWAY, S.C. (AP) – Conner Manning threw for 273 yards and a score as Georgia State picked up its first conference win, beating Coastal Carolina 27-21 on Saturday night.
Georgia State’s Glenn Smith scored first, taking the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. Then Manning capped his team’s first drive with a 7-yard scoring pass to Penny Hart and the Panthers (2-2, 1-0 Sun Belt) were up 14-0 with 3:25 left in the first quarter. Kyler Neal had a short TD run late in the half and Georgia State led 21-7 at the break.
Smith had 74 rushing yards on 23 carries and Hart finished with 132 yards receiving.
Demarcus Kirk ran for a touchdown late in the fourth and the Chanticleers (1-4, 0-2) scored twice in the quarter to close to 27-21 with 1:50 to play but the Panthers held on for the win.
Tyler Keane threw for 239 yards and three touchdowns for Coastal Carolina.
