Ball State University
6-7
Georgia State
8-5
Ball State falls to Georgia State in Camellia Bowl
December 25, 2021 | Football
Ball State Bowl Week is presented by Northwest Bank
The connection was the third-longest pass play in Camellia Bowl history and one of eight explosive plays of 15-or-more yards from the Cardinals (6-7) offense.
Unfortunately, the Panthers (8-5) answered the early strike with the next 17 points, including a 36-yard scoop and score of a BSU fumble, and went on to earn a 51-20 Christmas Day victory.
Trailing 17-7 three plays into the second quarter, Ball State would battle back within one score twice, starting with a 34-yard field goal from Jacob Lewis with 9:20 remaining in the opening half.Â
Bryce Cosby followed with a huge seven-yard tackle for loss on the next Panthers possession, helping hold GSU to a field goal after it had third-and-two from the BSU three.
On the ensuing drive, the Cardinals took the ball 53 yards over 13 plays, capping the scoring in the opening half with a 43-yard field goal from Lewis to trail 20-13 after the first 30 minutes.
Georgia State came out of the locker room strong, however, scoring 28 points in the third quarter in its way to securing a program-record eighth win of the season.
In his final collegiate game, Plitt threw for 293 total yards and a touchdown, while also running for a one-yard score late in the fourth quarter. Plitt finishes his career ranked third in program history with 9,051 passing yards and 68 passing touchdowns.
Jackson was on the receiving end of a career-high 146 of those yards, including a career-best 12 receptions. It is his third career game over 100 yards, with his previous career-best being 121 versus Miami (Oct. 23). In addition, the 146 receiving yards are the third most in a bowl game this season.
Carson Steele led the Ball State ground attack with 15 carries and 62 total yards. He also added 40 yards on three receptions for 102 all-purpose yards, marking the fifth time this season he has registered over 100 total yards.
On the defensive end, Clayton Coll led the Cardinals with 13 tackles, and was one of five BSU players to get credit with a tackle for loss. Playing in his home state for the first time in his career, Mobile native Malcolm Lee had nine tackles, including seven solo stops.
Georgia State quarterback Darren Grainger finished the game with 203 yards and three touchdowns through the air, while leading all rushers with 122 yards on the ground. He also scored GSU's lone rushing touchdown.
Team Stats
GSU 0, BALL 7
BALL - JACKSON, J. 56 yd pass from PLITT, Drew (CHANOVE, Jake kick) 2 plays, 61 yards, TOP 0:38
GSU 7, BALL 7
GSU - Payne, Aubry 18 yd pass from Grainger, D. (Ruiz, Noel kick) 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:04
GSU 14, BALL 7
GSU - Denis, Javon 37 yd fumble recovery (Ruiz, Noel kick)
GSU 17, BALL 7
GSU - Ruiz, Noel 27 yd field goal 7 plays, 24 yards, TOP 1:48
GSU 17, BALL 10
BALL - LEWIS, Jacob 34 yd field goal 7 plays, 30 yards, TOP 2:06
GSU 20, BALL 10
GSU - Ruiz, Noel 28 yd field goal 8 plays, 65 yards, TOP 3:19
GSU 20, BALL 13
BALL - LEWIS, Jacob 43 yd field goal 13 plays, 53 yards, TOP 5:43
GSU 27, BALL 13
GSU - Lewis, Robert 10 yd pass from Grainger, D. (Ruiz, Noel kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:55
GSU 34, BALL 13
GSU - Grainger, D. 34 yd run (Ruiz, Noel kick), 7 plays, 68 yards, TOP 3:29
GSU 41, BALL 13
GSU - Payne, Aubry 16 yd pass from Grainger, D. (Ruiz, Noel kick) 5 plays, 71 yards, TOP 1:37
GSU 48, BALL 13
GSU - Lane, A. 55 yd interception (Ruiz, Noel kick)
GSU 51, BALL 13
GSU - Ruiz, Noel 45 yd field goal 8 plays, 38 yards, TOP 3:27
GSU 51, BALL 20
BALL - PLITT, Drew 1 yd run (CHANOVE, Jake kick), 15 plays, 75 yards, TOP 5:50
