Losing season begins in the Alamodome

      Despite their best defensive ef- fort of the season, the Panthers were unable to edge the start-up UT San Antonio Roadrunners in overtime last Saturday at the Alamodome.

      Both teams entered the match with two wins on the season, but only one would leave with hopes of the possibility of maintaining a winning season. That dream came to an end for Georgia State after the Roadrunners split the uprights for the game tying field goal, and then again in over time for the winner.

      With just 3:42 left in the game, Georgia State forced the Roadrunners to punt, and were a couple of first downs away from certain victory. After three straight runs netted only three yards, the Panthers were forced to punt. UTSA quarterback Eric Soza completed two 17-yard passes on the ensuing drive to give the Roadrunners a shot at a field goal to send the game into overtime.

       The Panthers started on offense in overtime and had an opportunity to put points on the board. Freshman kicker Christian Benvenuto missed a 48-yarder, and the Roadrunners took advantage on the following possession to boot the game-winning field goal.

       "UTSA is a good team, but this is a very disappointing loss because we just kept making mistakes and shooting ourselves in the foot," said head coach Bill Curry to Georgia State Athletics.

       In the early going, it looked as if Georgia State was in control. In the second quarter, the Panthers put together the longest drive in the school's short history. Donald Russell capped the 97-yard drive with a bit of improvisation on a broken run play. The Kentucky transfer reversed field behind the line of scrimmage and outran the Roadrunner's defense for 24 yards to pay dirt.

     After UTSA missed a 50-yard field goal, the Panthers had good field position and took advantage of a Road- runner defense expecting the run. Quarterback Kelton Hill connected with playmaker Albert Wilson for a 54-yard touchdown, the duos third touchdown of 50 yards or more in the last two games.

     Though it was a bitter defeat, the Panthers played good ball for most of the game. The defense held UTSA to just 108 net yards rushing and less than 300 total on offense.

     Penalties killed the Panthers throughout the game. At the end of the first half, Georgia State looked to hold on to a 14-0 lead, but back-to-back roughing the passer penalties allowed UTSA to score a field goal, which proved to be the difference.

      In overtime, the Panthers suffered a false start penalty, which made the kick for Benvenuto even more difficult.

At seasons end, Georgia State will have its first losing season. Whether that will be to the tune of 5-6, 4-7, 3-8 or even 2-9 remains to be seen, but one thing is clear, the Panthers are fighting for pride now and that is a very dangerous thing.

     Georgia State's next test will come against the vaunted offense of St. Francis University and two-time NAIA Offensive Player of the Week, quarterback E.J. White, on Nov. 5 at the Georgia Dome.