# 2021 Georgia State Panthers football team

The 2021 Georgia State Panthers football team represented Georgia State University (GSU) during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Panthers were led by fifth-year head coach Shawn Elliott. This was the Panthers' ninth season in the Sun Belt Conference, fourth within the East Division, and 12th since the inception of the program. They played their home games at Center Parc Stadium.

## Preseason
### Recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | 40$^‡$ | Commit date |
| Jaylin Tolbert WR | Greenwood, SC | Greenwood HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | – | Dec 16, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Omarion Hammond DE | Columbia, SC | AC Flora HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | – | Dec 16, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Makkah "MJ" Jordan S | St. Petersburg, FL | Calvary Christian | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | – | Dec 16, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Fuches "Deuce" Lewis II NT | Savannah, GA | Calvary Day | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | – | Dec 16, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Jordan Jones ILB | Smiths Station, AL | Smiths Station HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | – | Dec 16, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Tony McCray Jr. CB | Clarksdale, MS | Lake Cormorant HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | – | Dec 16, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Tylon Dunlap DE | Charlotte, NC | Harding University HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | – | Dec 16, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Marquez Bargman OL | Port St. Joe, FL | Treasure Coast HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 285 lb (129 kg) | – | Dec 16, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Christopher Davis Jr. LB | Seffner, FL | Armwood HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | – | Dec 16, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Jaquan Dixon RB | Loris, SC | Green Sea Floyds HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | – | Dec 16, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Montavious Cunningham OL | Athens, GA | Clarke Central HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 285 lb (129 kg) | – | Dec 16, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Jamarion Ellis OLB/DE | Eastman, GA | IMG Academy | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 240 lb (110 kg) | – | Dec 16, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Evan Graham OLB | St. Petersburg, FL | Boca Ciega HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | – | Dec 16, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Brylan Lanier CB | Tuscaloosa, AL | Paul W. Bryant HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | – | Dec 16, 2020 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Darren Grainger QB | Conway, SC | Conway HS Furman | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | – | Jan 1, 2021 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Shamar McCollum OLB | Hamer, SC | Dillon HS Wake Forest | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | – | Jan 1, 2021 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Ja'Cyais Credle WR | Columbus, GA | Carver HS UCF | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | – | Jan 1, 2021 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
| Cameron Dye OL | Alpharetta, GA | Milton HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 265 lb (120 kg) | – | Feb 3, 2021 |
| Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: |||||||
Source:

### Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

#### Preseason

| Award | Player | Position | Year |
| Doak Walker Award | Destin Coates | RB | SR |
| Biletnikoff Award | Sam Pinckney | WR | RS-JR |
| Mackey Award | Roger Carter | TE | SR |
| Outland Trophy | Shamarious Gilmore | OL | SR |
| Manning Award | Cornelious Brown IV | QB | RS-SO |
Sources:

### Sun Belt coaches poll

The Sun Belt coaches poll was released on July 20, 2021. The Panthers were picked to finish third in the East Division.
East Division :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes |
| T1 | Coastal Carolina | 44 (6) |
| T1 | Appalachian State | 44 (4) |
| 3 | Georgia State | 24 |
| 4 | Georgia Southern | 20 |
| 5 | Troy | 18 |
West Division :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes |
| 1 | Louisiana | 49 (9) |
| 2 | Arkansas State | 38 (1) |
| 3 | South Alabama | 27 |
| 4 | Texas State | 25 |
| 5 | Louisiana–Monroe | 11 |

### Sun Belt Preseason All-Conference teams
## Schedule

The 2021 schedule consists of 6 home and 6 away games in the regular season. The Panthers will travel to Sun Belt foes Louisiana–Monroe, Georgia Southern, Louisiana, and Coastal Carolina. Georgia State will play host to Sun Belt foes Appalachian State, Texas State, Arkansas State, and Troy.
The Panthers will host two of the three non-conference opponents at Center Parc Stadium, Army, a FBS Independent and Charlotte of the Conference USA, and will travel to North Carolina of the Atlantic Coast Conference and Auburn of the Southeastern Conference.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 4 | 12:00 p.m. | Army* | Center Parc StadiumAtlanta, GA | ESPNU | L 10–43 | 18,280 |
| September 11 | 7:30 p.m. | at No. 24 North Carolina* | Kenan Memorial StadiumChapel Hill, NC | ACCRSN | L 17–59 | 50,500 |
| September 18 | 7:00 p.m. | Charlotte* | Center Parc StadiumAtlanta, GA | ESPN+ | W 20–9 | 12,978 |
| September 25 | 4:00 p.m. | at No. 23 Auburn* | Jordan–Hare StadiumAuburn, AL | SECN | L 24–34 | 86,650 |
| October 2 | 2:00 p.m. | Appalachian State | Center Parc StadiumAtlanta, GA | ESPN+ | L 16–45 | 14,258 |
| October 9 | 8:00 p.m. | at Louisiana–Monroe | Malone StadiumMonroe, LA | ESPN3 | W 55–21 | 9,913 |
| October 23 | 2:00 p.m. | Texas State | Center Parc StadiumAtlanta, GA | ESPN+ | W 28–16 | 16,779 |
| October 30 | 6:00 p.m. | at Georgia Southern | Paulson StadiumStatesboro, GA (Modern Day Hate) | ESPN+ | W 21–14 | 17,843 |
| November 4 | 7:30 p.m. | at Louisiana | Cajun FieldLafayette, LA | ESPN | L 17–21 | 16,007 |
| November 13 | 2:00 p.m. | at Coastal Carolina | Brooks StadiumConway, SC | ESPN+ | W 42–40 | 16,744 |
| November 20 | 2:00 p.m. | Arkansas State | Center Parc StadiumAtlanta, GA | ESPN3 | W 28–20 | 14,273 |
| November 27 | 2:00 p.m. | Troy | Center Parc StadiumAtlanta, GA | ESPN+ | W 37–10 | 13,875 |
| December 25 | 2:30 p.m. | vs. Ball State* | Cramton BowlMontgomery, AL (Camellia Bowl) | ESPN | W 51–20 | 7,345 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 2) - Released prior to gameAll times are in Eastern time |||||||

## Game summaries
### Army West Point

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • RV Black Knights | 14 | 13 | 6 | 10 | 43 |
| Panthers | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GSU –2.5 | 50 |
| Statistics | Army West Point | Georgia State |
| First downs | 20 | 14 |
| Total yards | 356 | 177 |
| Rushing yards | 258 | 48 |
| Passing yards | 98 | 129 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 42:07 | 17:53 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Army West Point | Passing | Christian Anderson | 1/2, 40 yards, 1 TD |
| Army West Point | Rushing | Christian Anderson | 15 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD |
| Army West Point | Receiving | Tyrell Robinson | 1 reception, 40 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia State | Passing | Cornelious Brown IV | 12/20, 129 yards, 1 INT |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Destin Coates | 13 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Jamari Thrash | 7 receptions, 87 yards |

### At North Carolina

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 3 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| • No. 24 Tar Heels | 14 | 10 | 21 | 14 | 59 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNC –26.0 | 66 |
| Statistics | Georgia State | North Carolina |
| First downs | 16 | 28 |
| Total yards | 271 | 607 |
| Rushing yards | 181 | 201 |
| Passing yards | 90 | 406 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 30:17 | 29:43 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia State | Passing | Cornelious Brown IV | 12/26, 68 yards, 1 INT |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Darren Grainger | 5 carries, 56 yards |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Jamari Thrash | 2 receptions, 18 yards |
| North Carolina | Passing | Sam Howell | 21/29, 352 yards, 3 TDs |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Sam Howell | 11 carries, 104 yards, 2 TDs |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Antoine Green | 3 receptions, 117 yards, 1 TD |

### Charlotte

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| 49ers | 0 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| • Panthers | 0 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GSU –4.5 | 63 |
| Statistics | Charlotte | Georgia State |
| First downs | 17 | 20 |
| Total yards | 276 | 437 |
| Rushing yards | 118 | 298 |
| Passing yards | 158 | 139 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 33:21 | 26:39 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Charlotte | Passing | Chris Reynolds | 13/28, 158 yards, 1 TD |
| Charlotte | Rushing | Calvin Camp | 14 carries, 53 yards |
| Charlotte | Receiving | Grant DuBose | 5 receptions, 45 yards |
| Georgia State | Passing | Darren Grainger | 6/12, 139 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Destin Coates | 4 carries, 83 yards |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Jamari Thrash | 2 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD |

### At Auburn

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 3 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| • No. 23 Tigers | 6 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 34 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| AUB –27.5 | 58 |
| Statistics | Georgia State | Auburn |
| First downs | 20 | 21 |
| Total yards | 384 | 419 |
| Rushing yards | 267 | 166 |
| Passing yards | 117 | 253 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 40:41 | 19:19 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia State | Passing | Darren Grainger | 12/24, 117 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Tucker Gregg | 12 carries, 150 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Roger Carter | 4 receptions, 51 yards, 1 TD |
| Auburn | Passing | Bo Nix | 13/27, 156 yards |
| Auburn | Rushing | Jarquez Hunter | 10 carries, 62 yards |
| Auburn | Receiving | Kobe Hudson | 5 receptions, 76 yards |

### Appalachian State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • RV Mountaineers | 7 | 7 | 17 | 14 | 45 |
| Panthers | 0 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 16 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| APP –10.0 | 55 |
| Statistics | Appalachian State | Georgia State |
| First downs | 23 | 21 |
| Total yards | 502 | 381 |
| Rushing yards | 163 | 135 |
| Passing yards | 339 | 246 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 31:32 | 28:28 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Appalachian State | Passing | Chase Brice | 20/28, 326 yards, 3 TDs |
| Appalachian State | Rushing | Nate Noel | 12 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD |
| Appalachian State | Receiving | Corey Sutton | 4 receptions, 106 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia State | Passing | Cornelious Brown IV | 16/31, 171 yards, 2 INTs |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Marcus Carroll | 9 carries, 46 yards |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Tailique Williams | 1 reception, 66 yards, 1 TD |

### At Louisiana–Monroe

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Panthers | 7 | 21 | 14 | 13 | 55 |
| Warhawks | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GSU –16.0 | 50 |
| Statistics | Georgia State | Louisiana–Monroe |
| First downs | 39 | 21 |
| Total yards | 572 | 359 |
| Rushing yards | 326 | 122 |
| Passing yards | 246 | 237 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 35:08 | 24:52 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia State | Passing | Darren Grainger | 18/25, 230 yards, 4 TDs |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Darren Grainger | 12 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Ja'Cyais Credle | 7 receptions, 130 yards, 2 TDs |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Passing | Chandler Rogers | 15/23, 208 yards, 2 TDs |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Rushing | Chandler Rogers | 14 carries, 72 yards |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Receiving | Boogie Knight | 5 receptions, 78 yards |

### Texas State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bobcats | 6 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
| • Panthers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GSU –10.5 | 59 |
| Statistics | Texas State | Georgia State |
| First downs | 26 | 26 |
| Total yards | 378 | 483 |
| Rushing yards | 123 | 283 |
| Passing yards | 255 | 200 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 32:23 | 27:37 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Texas State | Passing | Brady McBride | 27/47, 255 yards, 1 INT |
| Texas State | Rushing | Brady McBride | 17 carries, 46 yards, 1 TD |
| Texas State | Receiving | Ashtyn Hawkins | 6 receptions, 108 yards |
| Georgia State | Passing | Darren Grainger | 16/25, 200 yards, 2 TDs |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Tucker Gregg | 21 carries, 115 yards |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Jamari Thrash | 4 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD |

### At Georgia Southern

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Panthers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 21 |
| Eagles | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GSU –6.0 | 55 |
| Statistics | Georgia State | Georgia Southern |
| First downs | 22 | 24 |
| Total yards | 378 | 486 |
| Rushing yards | 237 | 207 |
| Passing yards | 141 | 279 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 25:07 | 34:53 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia State | Passing | Darren Grainger | 16/27, 141 yards |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Jaymest Williams | 12 carries, 97 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Roger Carter | 2 receptions, 59 yards |
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Justin Tomlin | 18/27, 279 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs |
| Georgia Southern | Rushing | Logan Wright | 20 carries, 113 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Southern | Receiving | Khaleb Hood | 6 receptions, 107 yards |

### At Louisiana

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Panthers | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
| • Ragin' Cajuns | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 21 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| LA –13.5 | 54 |
| Statistics | Georgia State | Louisiana |
| First downs | 20 | 21 |
| Total yards | 307 | 430 |
| Rushing yards | 209 | 143 |
| Passing yards | 98 | 287 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 28:46 | 31:14 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia State | Passing | Darren Grainger | 8/19, 98 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Tucker Gregg | 23 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Roger Carter | 3 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD |
| Louisiana | Passing | Levi Lewis | 19/34, 287 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Louisiana | Rushing | Montrell Johnson | 17 carries, 98 yards, 2 TDs |
| Louisiana | Receiving | Peter LeBlanc | 9 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD |

### At Coastal Carolina

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Panthers | 14 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 42 |
| Chanticleers | 14 | 9 | 3 | 14 | 40 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| CCU –12.5 | 53.5 |
| Statistics | Georgia State | Coastal Carolina |
| First downs | 18 | 26 |
| Total yards | 373 | 442 |
| Rushing yards | 175 | 209 |
| Passing yards | 198 | 233 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 25:11 | 34:49 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia State | Passing | Darren Grainger | 18/24, 198 yards, 2 TDs |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Jamyest Williams | 11 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Roger Carter | 3 receptions, 70 yards |
| Coastal Carolina | Passing | Bryce Carpenter | 17/29, 233 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Coastal Carolina | Rushing | Braydon Bennett | 10 carries, 128 yards, 1 TD |
| Coastal Carolina | Receiving | Isaiah Likely | 7 receptions, 101 yards, 1 TD |

### Arkansas State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Red Wolves | 3 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
| • Panthers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GSU –15.5 | 66 |
| Statistics | Arkansas State | Georgia State |
| First downs | 16 | 21 |
| Total yards | 270 | 434 |
| Rushing yards | -3 | 282 |
| Passing yards | 273 | 152 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 30:52 | 29:08 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Arkansas State | Passing | Layne Hatcher | 28/48, 273 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs |
| Arkansas State | Rushing | Lincoln Pare | 13 carries, 33 yards |
| Arkansas State | Receiving | Lincoln Pare | 6 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia State | Passing | Darren Grainger | 10/21, 152 yards, 1 INT |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Jaymest Williams | 16 carries, 125 yards, 2 TDs |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Jamari Thrash | 4 receptions, 103 yards |

### Troy

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Trojans | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| • Panthers | 7 | 10 | 13 | 7 | 37 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GSU –6.5 | 49.5 |
| Statistics | Troy | Georgia State |
| First downs | 18 | 21 |
| Total yards | 344 | 387 |
| Rushing yards | 57 | 247 |
| Passing yards | 287 | 140 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 32:56 | 27:04 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Troy | Passing | Gunnar Watson | 21/38, 287 yards, 2 INTs |
| Troy | Rushing | B. J. Smith | 13 carries, 35 yards, 1 TD |
| Troy | Receiving | Deshon Stoudemire | 4 receptions, 80 yards |
| Georgia State | Passing | Darren Grainger | 11/22, 140 yards, 2 TDs |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Jaymest Williams | 15 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Sam Pinckney | 3 receptions, 51 yards, 1 TD |

### Vs. Ball State (Camellia Bowl)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Panthers | 14 | 6 | 28 | 3 | 51 |
| Cardinals | 7 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| GSU –4.5 | 50.0 |
| Statistics | Ball State | Georgia State |
| First downs | 21 | 22 |
| Total yards | 464 | 367 |
| Rushing yards | 259 | 74 |
| Passing yards | 205 | 293 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 26:46 | 33:14 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Ball State | Passing | Drew Plitt | 27/46, 293 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Ball State | Rushing | Carson Steele | 15 carries, 62 yards |
| Ball State | Receiving | Jayshon Jackson | 12 receptions, 146 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia State | Passing | Darren Grainger | 15/19, 203 yards, 3 TDs |
| Georgia State | Rushing | Darren Grainger | 11 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia State | Receiving | Aubry Payne | 8 receptions, 109 yards, 2 TDs |