by Ben Ennis
ORLANDO, Fla. – Georgia State (GSU) won its first bowl game in school history with a 27-17 win over Western Kentucky in the AutoNation Cure Bowl at Camping World Stadium. “We’re just a bunch of misfit players and misfit coaches who are blue collar, work hard and love one other and look at us,” Head Coach Shawn Elliott said. “First bowl win, most wins in school history – I’m damn proud to be a Georgia State Panther, I know that!” Elliott said.
The Georgia State defense held Western Kentucky’s offense to 349 yards and minus-two rushing yards. Offensively, the Panthers set a new Cure Bowl record with 419 total yards. GSU senior quarterback Connor Manning won MVP honors by completing 20 of 28 passes for 276 yards and one touchdown.
| Team Statistics | ||
|---|---|---|
| WKU | GSU | |
| Total Yards | 349 | 419 |
| Pass Yards | 351 | 276 |
| Rushing Yards | -2 | 143 |
| Penalty Yards | 10-89 | 4-39 |
| 1st Downs | 17 | 21 |
| 3rd Downs | 5-12 | 8-16 |
| 4th Downs | 1-1 | 1-2 |
| TOP | 24:39 | 35:21 |
Photos: Ben Ennis