ATLANTA- The Texas State football team couldn't take advantage of a quick start on Saturday when Georgia State handed the Bobcats a 41-21 loss in the Georgia Dome.

The Bobcats jumped out to an early 14-0 lead after Texas State scored touchdowns on its first two possessions, but Georgia State answered with 34 unanswered points to take control of the game.

The scoring began on Texas State's opening drive in the game when Tyler Jones connected with Eric Luna for a 19-yard touchdown pass to mark the first time the Bobcats have scored on its first drive in a game  this season. James Sherman kicked the extra point to give Texas State an early 7-0 lead with 11:25 left in the opening drive.
 
Then, Jones scored Texas State's second touchdown when he rushed for a three-yard TD and Sherman added the extra point with 3:29 left in the opening period to extend the Bobcats' lead to 14-0.
 
But, Georgia State came roaring back in the second quarter when they scored 24 unanswered points to take a 24-14 lead into halftime. The Panthers scored their first TD when quarterback Conner Manning scored on a quarterback sneak from one yard out before Rogier ten Lohuis added the extra point.  Then, Manning hit Keith Rucker on an eight-yard TD pass and ten Lohuis added the extra point.
 
Georgia State's third touchdown in the second quarter came on a 32-yard run by Glenn Smith. After ten Lohuis added the extra point, he kicked a 36-yard field goal to close the scoring in the first half.
 
Georgia State increased its lead in the opening drive of the third quarter when Manning hit Robert Davis for a 55-yard TD pass and ten Lohuis added the extra point. Then, ten Lohuis added a 35-yard field goal the Panthers held a 34-14 lead with 11:44 left in the third quarter.
 
The Bobcats scored their third touchdown in the game when Jones ran for his second touchdown in the game on a nine-yard scamper up the middle to pull the Bobcats back to within 34-21 midway in the third quarter.
 
Texas State appeared to force a turnover when Ishmael Davis recovered a fumble by Keith Rucker in end zone. However, the Bobcats were called for an off-sides penalty to give the Panthers possession on Texas State's three-yard line. Kyler Neal ran it in from there to extend the Georgia State's lead to 41-21.
 
After being force to punt on its next possession, Texas State's defense forced a turnover when Hal Vinson and Gabe Loyd combined to sack Manning and Vinson forced him to fumble. Loyd recovered on the Panthers' 22-yard line. However, the Bobcats couldn't capitalize when Sherman's 35-yard field goal came up short and wide to the left.
 
On Georgia State's next possession, Javante O'Roy forced a second fumble and Stephan Johnson recovered at Georgia State's 40-yard line. Jones completed a 13-yard pass to Stedman Mayberry for 13 yards on the first play, however the Bobcats were forced to turn the ball over on downs.
 
Texas State's defense came right back to force a third fumble when Loyd made his second recovery at GSU's 31-yard line. The three fumble recoveries equaled last season's high of three recoveries by Texas State at Georgia Southern.
 
However, the Bobcats gave the ball back once again when Jones was sacked from behind and fumbled while trying to throw the ball.  After forcing a punt, the Bobcats drove down the field to Georgia State's three yard line. But, Jones threw his second interception in the game. This one came in the end zone to end the scoring threat.
 
Jones finished the game 27-for-42 with 300 yards passing, a touchdown and two interceptions. He also ran the ball nine times for seven yards and two scores. His two rushing touchdowns tied his career-high that he set on Nov. 29, 2014 against Georgia State in the Georgia Dome.
 
Stedman Mayberry led the team with career-highs of 87 rushing yards on 26 carries. Tyler Tutt carried the ball five times for 14 yards and Thurman Morbley ran once, gaining 12 yards.
 
Morbley paced the team with six catches that totaled 57 yards. Leading the Bobcats with 85 receiving yards was Elijah King. Mayberry added 61 yards on five catches and Luna finished with four catches, one for a touchdown, and 33 yards.
 
Defensively, Javante O'Roy recorded a game-high and career best 15 tackles, nine of which were solo stops. Lloyd recovered two fumbles to go with his seven tackles, while Bryan London also had nine stops.
 
Lumi Kaba had another strong performance punting. He averaged 44.8 yard per punt on six attempts with a long of 58. The senior also pinned the Panthers twice inside their own 20.
 
Texas State's next game will be at UL Monroe next Saturday, October 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN3.