Troy holds on to top Georgia State

The Troy football team topped Georgia State 31-21, securing a 5-1 record for the first time since 1999.

The Trojans’ (3-0 Sun Belt) homecoming game brought 23,913 fans, students, and alumni into Veterans Memorial Stadium to watch Troy host the Panthers (1-5, 1-2 Sun Belt). This was the largest crowd to ever watch a Sun Belt game in the Vet.

Despite penalties and a sluggish run game, the Trojans drove close enough for senior kicker Ryan Kay send a 39-yard kick through the uprights, giving them the lead midway through the first quarter.

The remainder of the first half was a hard-fought defensive battle, leaving each offense looking for answers. With two seconds left in the first half, the Trojan offense drove to the Panthers’ 10-yard line.

Kay sent the 27-yard field goal through the uprights as time expired in the half.

Redshirt-junior quarterback Connor Manning found junior receivers Todd Boyd and senior receiver Robert Davis for two scores after Georgia State received the second half kickoff, giving it a 14-6 lead midway through the third.

Troy answered in third quarter, though, scoring 25 points in less than eight minutes.

Kay came out for his third field goal of the game, from 28 yards out.

Redshirt junior running back Jordan Chunn was able to take advantage of an onside kick recovery, punching it in from three yards out. Brandon Silvers then found junior running back Josh Anderson and sophomore Deondre Douglas for two scores through the air.

When the dust settled, Troy stood on top 31-14 midway through the fourth.

After a late score by Georgia State, Troy came away with the 31-21 win.

Silvers went 20-for-35 for 235 yards, two TDs and one interception, while Manning threw for 381 yards on 28-of-52 passing.

The Trojans will travel to Mobile to take on conference rival South Alabama in the Battle of the Belt on Thursday, Oct. 20. Kickoff at Ladd Peebles Stadium is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and the game will be televised on ESPNU.