What You Need to Know:
* Georgia State defeated Troy 31-21 for its fifth win of the season, within one of bowl eligibility.
* Glenn Smith rushed for a career-high 87 yards and tight end Keith Rucker had career bests with 10 catches for 154 yards.
* Nick Arbuckle passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a third score.
ATLANTA -- Nick Arbuckle passed for 368 and accounted for three touchdowns, Glenn Smith rushed for a career-high 87 yards and the Georgia State defense turned in another strong performance as the Panthers defeated Troy 31-21 Friday afternoon at the Georgia Dome.
With its third straight win, Georgia State improved to 5-6 overall, 4-3 in the Sun Belt to come within one win of bowl eligibility. The Panthers conclude the season next Saturday at Georgia Southern.
Tight end Keith Rucker had career highs with 10 catches for 154 yards, wide receivers Penny Hart and Robert Davis caught touchdowns from Arbuckle, and Glenn Smith scored on a 39-yard touchdown run.
"These guys have battled all year and they put themselves in a position to go to a bowl game. I couldn't be happier for the alumni, fans, administration, the student body and most importantly our players," head coach Trent Miles said. "I'm excited and incredibly proud to be their coach."
Georgia State piled up 519 yards of offense, while the Panther defense allowed 23 points or less for the fourth straight game.
The GSU defense held Troy to 374 total yards, including just 81 yards on the ground, which is Georgia State's best performance against an FBS opponent.
The Panthers collected nine pass breakups in the game, including three by defensive lineman Shawanye Lawrence, and six tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Jerome Smith grabbed his first interception, and Joseph Peterson recovered a fumble, along with seven tackles.
"I thought our defense played outstanding, even though we gave up a few big plays," Miles said. "They held a high scoring offense and did good job again this week."
Arbuckle completed 29 of 41 passes for 368 yards and also scored on a 1-yard run.
The senior signal caller found Hart for a 12-yard touchdown pass midway through the first quarter to put the Panthers ahead 7-0. After Troy tied the game, the Panthers took the lead for good on Smith's 39-yard scoring run with 5:31 left in the second quarter.
Wil Lutz hit a 30-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to send the Panthers into the locker room with a 17-7 lead.
Early in the third quarter, Arbuckle hit Davis for a 46-yard scoring pass to extend GSU's lead to 24-7. That play was also Arbuckle's 23rd touchdown pass of the season to tie the Georgia State record he set last season.
On the Panthers' next drive, Arbuckle capped the scoring drive with a 1-yard plunge, putting Georgia state ahead 31-7 with 4:45 to play.
Smith's 87 yards rushing are the most by a Panther this season and helped Georgia State to a total of 151 yards on the ground.
Georgia State will play at Georgia Southern next Saturday at 2 p.m. at Paulson Stadium.
"I wouldn't want it any other way. If we have to go through them then so be it," Miles said of the matchup with Georgia Southern. "Our young men will prepare because they know how to win and get the job done. All of our success is on them and the confidence they have now."
