West Alabama nips Georgia State 30-23 on late TD

LIVINGSTON, Ala. (AP) Matthew Willis rushed for 171 yards and the winning touchdown, a 4-yard run with 2:12 to play in West Alabama's 30-23 victory Saturday night over hard-luck Georgia State.

The Panthers (2-8) outgained Division II West Alabama (8-3) in total yardage 447-388, but they committed four costly turnovers. Kelton Hill, the Georgia State quarterback, rushed for 152 yards, a school single-game record. His 2-yard touchdown run with 9 minutes left tied it at 23-23.

Even after Willis regained the lead for the Tigers with his 72-yard jaunt, Hill moved Georgia State downfield and back into the red zone yet again.

He hit Nathaniel Minor on an 8-yard completion for what would have been a first down at the West Alabama 17-yard line with 48 seconds left on the clock. But Minor, after making a leaping reception, fumbled the ball away.

Updated November 13, 2011