Box Score
ATLANTA – Georgia State University's Wil Lutz kicked a 26-yard field goal with four seconds left to stun Abilene Christian University 38-37 in a thrilling season-opening game nationally telecast by ESPNU from the Georgia Dome.
The Panthers overcame a nine-point fourth quarter deficit to end a 16-game losing streak dating back to 2012. They had to overcome a sterling effort by ACU quarterback
Parker McKenzie, who completed 30 of 40 passes for 403 yards and four touchdowns. GSU junior transfer quarterback Nick Arbuckle barely bested the Wildcat sophomore by completing 31 of 47 passes for 414 yards and four TDs, two of them in the fourth quarter when the Panthers mounted their comeback.
ACU, in its first official season in the FCS Southland Conference since 1972, lost its first season opener in seven years, while GSU, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, won for the first time since beating the University of Rhode Island two seasons ago. Until the last-second field goal, the Wildcats, who played most of the last three decades in NCAA Division II, looked to be on the way to their first win over a FBS opponent in 51 years.
McKenzie, a Georgia native making his first collegiate start for ACU, completed 10 of his first 15 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown in the first half, and added three more scoring passes in the second half. Nine Wildcats caught McKenzie passes, led by senior wide receiver
Demarcus Thompson, who had nine for 156 yards.
ACU forced three Panther turnovers and standout defensive end
Nick Richardson had two sacks. Sophomore
Nik Grau kicked field goals of 25, 42 and 33 yards.
GSU wide receiver Joel Ruiz caught seven passes for 111 yards and two TDs, none bigger than his 9-yarder with 4:31 left in the game. Lynquez Blair caught eight Arbuckle passes for 118 yards and one score. Krysten Hammon led the Panthers in rushing with 13 carries for 74 yards.
Wildcat junior running back
Herschel Sims, playing his first game for his hometown university, ran for 37 yards before leaving the game with an ankle injury early in the fourth quarter.
ACU's 2014 home opener next Saturday is with FCS member Northern Arizona of the Big Sky Conference at 6 p.m. CST in Shotwell Stadium.
