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SAN ANTONIO — Sean Ianno's 32-yard field goal in overtime propelled UTSA to a 17-14 victory against Georgia State on Saturday at the Alamodome. The Roadrunners (3-5) rallied from an early 14-point deficit for the first come-from-behind win in program history.
After Christian Benvenuto missed wide right from 48 yards out to start the extra session, Evans Okotcha set up Ianno's third field goal of the day with three rushes for nine yards on what turned out to be UTSA's first and only possession of overtime.
The Panthers (2-6) jumped out to a 14-0 advantage on a pair of big plays in the second quarter.
Donald Russell reversed field and raced past the Roadrunners defense for a 24-yard rushing touchdown with 6:28 remaining in the opening half.
Kelton Hill then connected with Albert Wilson on a 54-yard scoring toss a little less than three minutes later to silence the announced crowd of 25,977.
Ianno connected on his first field goal of the afternoon, a 30-yarder, with six seconds left on the clock and Georgia State took a 14-3 lead into the locker room.
After the two teams went scoreless in the third quarter, Chris Johnson scored from nine yards out to pull the Roadrunners within five and Eric Soza's pass to Brandon Freeman on the two-point try made it 14-11.
UTSA got the ball back with 1:59 remaining in regulation and Soza drove the Roadrunners 50 yards to set up Ianno and the Pflugerville native sent the contest into overtime with a 39-yard field goal with 24 seconds to go.
Soza was 17-of-34 for 189 yards, while Kam Jones caught a team-leading six passes for 52 yards.
Russell led Georgia State with 87 yards on 21 carries, while Hill added 46 on 11 totes in addition to completing 6-of-15 passes for 91 yards.
The Roadrunners allowed just 255 total yards, their best effort of the season, and Nic Johnston led the way with 11 tackles, two-and-a-half of which went for loss. Marlon Smith and Mark Waters also were in double figures with 10 apiece.
UTSA returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 5, when it travels to Lake Charles, La., for a 7 p.m. contest at McNeese State.