BOONE, N.C. (AP) Ayden Pereira threw three touchdown passes, Coby Owens turned in a pick-6 and Georgia State Panthers defeated Appalachian State Mountaineers 39-23 on Saturday.

It was the Panthers' first win over the Mountaineers in the 13-game series.

Pereira was 10-of-17 passing but made those 10 completions count with touchdown passes to DJ Riles, Grant Hollier and Rodshaun Dorsey. Dorsey's 17-yard score made it 33-17 and was his ninth TD reception this season, tying a school record.

Junior linebacker Owens made the first two interceptions of his career, the first going for a 23-yard score to make it 20-13 in the second quarter that gave the Panthers (5-4, 2-3 Sun Belt) the lead for good.

Lanear McCrary Jr. rushed for 112 yards for the Panthers. Samer Layous kicked four field goals, including a career-long 52-yarder.

Malachi Singleton threw for 241 yards and two TDs for the Mountaineers (5-4, 2-3) but was picked off twice. Chris Lofton had 117 yards receiving with a touchdown and also threw a 56-yard TD to Jamel Howse off a double pass.

Georgia State: Host to Georgia Southern next Saturday.

Appalachian State: At Marshall next Saturday.

---

Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here

Copyright 2026 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.