Georgia State rides record first half to 52-34 victory

ATLANTA (AP) — Destin Coates and Cornelius McCoy each scored two early touchdowns as Georgia State set a school record for first-half points and held off Louisiana-Monroe 52-34 on Saturday.

Georgia State (3-3, 2-3 Sun Belt) scored a record 42 points before halftime, 21 coming off of three Louisiana-Monroe turnovers, as the Panthers rebounded from a 51-0 Halloween thrashing at then-No. 20 Coastal Carolina.

Coates, the Sun Belt Conference's leading rusher, finished with his fourth 100-yard game, 102 yards on 20 carries. He is tied for second on the Georgia State list for most rushing touchdowns with 13. The 52 points tied the tied the program record for points against an FBS team.

Perry Carter scored three touchdowns for the Warhawks (0-8, 0-4), one rushing and two by air. Jeremy Hunt was 26-of-39 passing for a season-high 339 yards and three touchdowns in relief of sophomore starter Colby Suits.

Suits, the Sun Belt leader in passing yards, left the game after going 0 for 3 with a fumble and an interception.

The Warhawks' losing streak has reached nine games, after ending the 2019 season with a one-point loss to cross-state rival Louisiana-Lafayette.