Troy Picks Up Victory Over Georgia State

One week after getting embarrassed on national television by Old Dominion, the Troy Trojans came out and responded with a 31-19 victory over the Georgia State Panthers in what was a must-win game.

The Trojans needed to pick up this victory to set themselves up for a game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles for the Sun Belt West title. If they defeat Southern Miss next weekend, they will then face James Madison in the Sun Belt Conference championship game.

Goose Crowder made his first start since Sept. 13 and came through with a huge performance, completing 27-of-43 passes for 361 yards and four touchdowns. Crowder was getting hit all night, but stayed in the game and made big throws throughout.

The game started very slowly, with neither team scoring in the first quarter, and it being all tied up at 3 apiece with under two minutes left in the second quarter. That changed with Crowder finding Ethan Conner twice, the first connection going for 20 yards and the second connection being a 26-yard strike where Conner bulldozed his way into the endzone for the first touchdown of the game.

2Q – 1:15 | ⚔️ 10 – 🐱 3

Give that TE some love in the endzone.

Goose Crowder gets it to Ethan Conner for a 26-yard touchdown to give Troy the lead late in the first half. #BattleReady | #OneTROY ⚔️🏈 pic.twitter.com/EeDPB08NxW

— Troy Trojans Football 8x⚔️ (@TroyTrojansFB) November 22, 2025

The half ended with some drama, with Troy’s leading tackler on the season Jordan Stringer getting ejected in his final home game for targeting Panthers quarterback Cameran Brown. Brown checked out of the game and never returned. There was no medical update on Brown after the game. Brown was replaced by Christian Veilleux. Veilleux helped the Panthers drive down the field to set up a field goal attempt. Liam Rickman drilled the 46-yard attempt to cut the lead to 10-6.

The third quarter started with some mishaps on both sides, first with Trojans receiver RaRa Thomas fumbling the ball, followed by Rickman missing the field goal. Conner caught a screen pass and took that all the way home for a touchdown, and the Panthers responded the next drive with Branson Robinson punching it in from four yards out. The Panthers appeared to be gaining momentum, but Veilleux was intercepted by Devin Lafayette to end the third quarter.

3Q – 0:09 | ⚔️ 17 – 🐱 12

What can’t he do????

Devin Lafayette grabs his third career interception and returns it back to the 49-yard line, setting up Troy’s offense.#BattleReady | #OneTROY ⚔️🏈 pic.twitter.com/ew3AavDcu0

— Troy Trojans Football 8x⚔️ (@TroyTrojansFB) November 22, 2025

The Trojans put the game away in the fourth. Crowder found DJ Epps in traffic in the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown. The next drive Veilleux connected with Javon Robinson for a 17-yard score. Finally, Crowder and Epps connected again for the touchdown as the Trojans walked out with the win. Epps finished the game with eight receptions for 103 yards with those two touchdowns.

For the Panthers, they dropped to 1-10 on the season with their eight straight loss. Veilleux filled in amicably for Brown, ending the game 19-of-38 for 307 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Robinson had a career game with seven catches for 146 yards and a touchdown.

This game was senior night for the Trojans, with 24 seniors playing their final game at Veterans Memorial Stadium. “I hope it (the win) meant what I felt before the game,” said Trojans Head Coach Gerad Parker. “That’s the most emotional I’ve been around our team. I about lost it before the game. Twenty four great young men that I’m glad we got to send them out the stadium the right way.”

The Trojans enter next week’s matchup with Southern Miss knowing there are things from this one that they can learn. “We’ve got to watch this tape. Sunday, Monday, and learn from it,” Crowder said. “Have a great week of practice and put ourselves in the best possible position to go out there and succeed on Saturday.”