Coach CeeGee’s Georgia State Panthers (10-3, 6-2 Sun Belt) closed out their inaugural NDL Season 32 campaign in style, outlasting the Akron Zips (5-8) 28-21 in a back-and-forth Camellia Bowl showdown.
The victory marks a stellar 10-win season for CeeGee in his first full year at the helm, securing bowl eligibility and a third-place finish in the Sun Belt East.
The Panthers struck early in the first quarter, with Christian Veilleux finding Tailique Williams for a 10-yard touchdown pass to take a 6-0 lead after a missed extra point. In the second, Veilleux connected with Austin McGee for a 20-yard TD, pushing the score to 13-0 at halftime.
Akron responded in the third, as Tahj Bullock powered in a 14-yard TD run, narrowing it to 13-7.
The fourth quarter erupted with drama. Akron’s Jordon Simmons scored on a 9-yard TD run to take a 14-13 lead, but Georgia State answered with a 27-yard TD catch by Cadarrius Thompson, regaining the lead at 20-14.
Akron’s Bobby Golden stunned the Panthers with a 103-yard kickoff return TD, flipping the score to 21-20. Undeterred, Veilleux delivered the game-winner, hitting Dorian Fleming for a 58-yard TD pass with 3:20 left, sealing the 28-21 victory.
Veilleux was surgical, completing 18-of-26 passes for 269 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT, with Fleming (3 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD), Williams (6 catches, 56 yards, 1 TD), and McGee (4 catches, 45 yards, 1 TD) leading the receiving corps.
The run game struggled (as it has all season), managing 80 yards on 22 carries (3.6 YPC), with DJ Murray Jr. (45 yards) and Freddie Brock (35 yards) sharing duties. “Christian carried us today” CeeGee said.
The Panthers’ defense, anchored by Kenyatta Watson II (9 tackles, 1 TFL) and Tavian Brown (9 tackles), forced three turnovers, including two interceptions by Izaiah Guy and a fumble forced by Josiah Robinson.
Victoine Brown (2 sacks) and Kevin Swint (1 sack) pressured Akron’s backfield, holding them to 128 rushing yards despite Bullock and Simmons’ scores. Akron’s Golden (103-yard KR TD) and 183 kick return yards exposed special teams weaknesses. “Our defense made clutch plays, but that kick return hurt,” CeeGee noted.
With a 10-3 record, third in the Sun Belt East behind Old Dominion (12-1) and James Madison (10-3), and a bowl triumph, CeeGee’s debut season exceeded expectations. His Coach Points for the CFB 26 team draft, set him up favorably. Yet, rumors swirl about CeeGee’s future, will he stay to build on Georgia State’s momentum or chase a bigger program? Has he done enough to earn a shot at his dream job, the Ohio State Buckeyes?
“This season was a grind, and I’m proud of our guys,” CeeGee said. “The Camellia Bowl win is a great accomplishment for this program and our guys should be proud of what they accomplished this year"
Season 33? I’m weighing all options, but Georgia State’s got my heart for now.”
As the NDL offseason begins, fans await CeeGee’s decision, hoping their coach returns to chase a Sun Belt title in Season 33. For now, the Panthers celebrate a 10-win season and a Camellia bowl trophy!
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