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ATLANTA – North Carolina Central University sophomore kicker Frankie Cardelle blasted a career-long 44-yard field goal with five seconds left in regulation to send the Eagles’ road contest against Georgia State University into overtime.

Cardelle’s 45-yard missed field goal try on the first possession of overtime, allowed Georgia State kicker Iain Vance to send the home fans into a frenzy when he converted a 33-yard field goal to lift the Panthers to a 20-17 overtime victory on Saturday afternoon in front of 13,378 fans inside the Georgia Dome.

NCCU (2-4) out-gained the Panthers 329 total yards to 317, but the Eagles threw three interceptions, lost a fumble and were flagged 11 times for 78 penalty yards in the loss.

The Eagles dominated the first quarter, holding GSU (5-2) without a first down and only 21 total yards, while recording five first downs and 87 total yards of their own. NCCU, however, threw a pair of interceptions to keep the first 15 minutes scoreless.

In the opening minute of the second quarter, the Eagles had a first down and 10 yards to go on the GSU 17-yard line, but senior running back Tony McCord under-threw his intended receiver on a halfback pass to stall the drive at the two-yard line.

On the next play, a GSU running back was tackled in the end zone for an apparent safety, but the NCCU defense was flagged for an off-sides penalty to take away two points.

With a little breathing room, the Panthers moved the pigskin to midfield before senior linebacker Donald Laster stripped the ball from Kelton Hill with Marc Lewis recovering the loose ball for the Eagles.

On the ensuing drive, Arthur Goforth capped a five-play, 59-yard stretch with a 29-yard touchdown run to post the first points of the game on the scoreboard with 7:46 remaining before the break.

GSU responded with an 11-play, 58-yard drive to post three points on the scoring ledger courtesy of a 32-yard field goal by Vance with 3:34 left in the second quarter. The score remained 7-3 in the visitors’ favor heading into the locker rooms.

On GSU’s second possession of the second half, the Panthers converted on a third down and 10 yards to go from their own 15-yard line to extend an 85-yard drive that ended with a 15-yard touchdown run by Travis Evans. Vance’s extra-point kick made the score 10-7 in favor of the home team at the 5:08 mark of the third quarter.

NCCU regained the advantage when quarterback Keon Williams threw a bomb to Geovonie Irvine for a 47-yard touchdown connection with 9:58 remaining in regulation. Cardelle made the extra-point kick to provide the Eagles with a 14-10 cushion.

On the following drive, GSU twice converted on third-and-seven to set up a 24-yard touchdown pass from Drew Little to Danny Williams, giving the Panthers a 17-14 lead with 5:36 on the fourth quarter clock.

NCCU faced fourth down and four yards to go on its own 40-yard line with less than three minutes left to play. Williams’ screen pass attempt was deflected by GSU linebacker Jake Muasau and the Panthers took over at 2:55, needing only a first down to run out the clock and seal the victory.

On third down and 13 yards to go, Little completed a 12-yard pass to Sidney Haynes, setting up a critical fourth down and one situation. Little’s quarterback sneak up the middle was snuffed by the NCCU defense and marked shy of the first down marker. The Eagles regained the ball with 50 seconds left on their own 31-yard line, needing a field goal to tie the ballgame.

Williams completed three straight passes to Irvine (18 yards), Corey Harris (10 yards) and Decona Roberts (14 yards) to put the Eagles within striking distance. With 10 seconds on the clock, Cardelle lined up for a 44-yard field goal. His kick missed wide left, but GSU called a timeout just prior to the snap. Cardelle took advantage of his second opportunity by booming a career-long 44-yard field goal to send the contest into overtime.

GSU won the coin toss and opted to play defense first. On NCCU’s possession, an apparent first down play was negated by an illegal formation penalty against the Eagles. After two incomplete passes, Cardelle was forced to try a 45-yard field goal, which had the distance, but missed the mark.

On their first two offensive plays in overtime, the Panthers were tackled for negative yards. Facing third down and 13 yards to go, Hill scampered 12 yards to the 16-yard line. While not enough for the first down, it set up Vance for a manageable 33-yard field goal attempt for the win, which he nailed.

The win is the fourth in a row for GSU, playing its inaugural season of football.

Williams finished the contest with 154 yards on 11-for-22 passing for the Eagles, while also rushing for 46 yards. Tim Shankle led the NCCU ground game with 76 of the team’s 175 rushing yards. Irvine collected five receptions for 92 yards with a score.

Senior linebacker Calvin Hillie topped the NCCU defensive effort with 8 tackles, including a hit for a loss and a pair of pass break-ups. Fellow senior linebacker Donald Laster recorded six solo tackles with a stop for a loss and a forced fumble.

GSU quarterback Little threw for 205 yards, completing 16-of-29 pass attempts. Williams caught five balls for 103 yards and a score, while Hill topped the Panthers with 71 rushing yards.

Fred Barnes amassed a game-high 10 tackles (five solo) along with an interception for GSU.

Next week, NCCU hosts Bethune-Cookman University, which shutout defending MEAC champion South Carolina State 14-0 on Saturday to remain undefeated. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.