After getting a big win against Rhode Island two weeks ago, the Georgia State Panthers looked to make it two straight when Villanova visited the Georgia Dome. The Panthers were unable to slow down Villanova’s attack as the Wildcats prevailed 49-24.
The Panthers had a good day on offense in running 70 plays, two more than the Wildcats’ 68. Georgia State also gained 309 total yards. Albert Wilson led the Panthers with six catches for 104 yards and five kick returns for 174 yards.
“Albert plays his heart out on every play, he’s just a great player. It was too little, too late and that’s too much of a repetitive story,” said Panthers coach Bill Curry after the game. “We’re just better than this and that’s the part that is so painful.”
The Wildcats jumped on the Panthers early and often, holding a 35-10 advantage at halftime. The Wildcats rushed for 353 yards, including 132 yards from Kevin Monangai and 87 yards from John Robertson. Robertson also completed eight of 11 passes for 96 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
“Obviously, we didn’t learn what we should have over the last couple of weeks, culminating last weekend with a reasonable performance,” Curry added. “Today, a good Villanova team pushed us around all day. There really aren’t words for it. I don’t have an explanation. I don’t have an excuse.”
The Panthers will travel to Harrisonburg, Va., on Saturday to face James Madison at 3:30 p.m.
RUSSELL OUT
The bad news turned worse Saturday after the Panthers fell to the Wildcats. The team suffered another blow when players and coaches found out that running back Donald Russell will be out the rest of the year with an MCL sprain in his left knee. An injury like that usually takes 4-6 weeks to heal, but the Panthers have just three more games remaining on their schedule.
Russell’s injury figures to hurt the offense moving forward. He rushed for 665 yards this season and was the leading rusher in the conference entering the Villanova game. Curry said immediately after the game that if Russell’s injury was serious, they would use a trio of running backs the rest of the way. With Russell out, Travis Evans will likely see the bulk of the carries. He rushed nine times for 16 yards and one touchdown in the Villanova game. The Panthers will also use Rosevelt Watson and Parris Lee, who have rushed for a combined 112 yards this season.
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