Camellia Bowl 2021: Ball State vs. Georgia State football video highlights, final score

Brooks Holton, Montgomery Advertiser
·4 min read

The Ball State Cardinals and the Georgia State Panthers squared off in the 2021 Camellia Bowl on Christmas Day at Montgomery's Cramton Bowl.

The Panthers defeated the Cardinals 51-20.

A member of the Sun Belt Conference, Georgia State finished its season with an 8-5 record after the bowl victory. The Panthers ended their campaign on a four-game winning streak.

Representing the Mid-American Conference, Ball State fell to 6-7 on the season with the loss.

Check out the top plays from the game below.

Camellia Bowl 2021: Ball State football vs. Georgia State: Live updates, score

Georgia State's Antavious Lane returns interception 55 yards for touchdown

Georgia State's second defensive touchdown of the 2021 Camellia Bowl came on the final play of the third quarter, when safety Antavious Lane intercepted a pass from Ball State quarterback Drew Plitt and returned the ball 55 yards relatively untouched to the end zone. The score extended the Panthers' lead to 48-13 over the Cardinals.

Georgia State tight end Aubry Payne catches second touchdown of Camellia Bowl 2021

Georgia State quarterback Darren Grainger connected with tight end Aubry Payne for their second touchdown of the 2021 Camellia Bowl to cap off a five-play, 71-yard drive in the third quarter. The score and ensuing extra point gave the Panthers a 41-13 lead over the Cardinals.

Georgia State quarterback Darren Grainger extends Panthers' lead with touchdown run

On what appeared to be an option play, Georgia State quarterback Darren Grainger decided to keep the ball himself and had plenty of room to run. Grainger ran 34 yards relatively untouched into the end zone for the touchdown, extending the Panthers' lead to 34-13 over the Cardinals in the third quarter.

Georgia State opens second half with touchdown pass from Darren Grainger to Robert Lewis

Georgia State's first drive of the second half of the 2021 Camellia Bowl covered 75 yards in eight plays. It was capped off with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Darren Grainger to Robert Lewis that gave the Panthers a 27-13 lead.

Javon Denis returns fumble for touchdown, giving Georgia State lead in Camellia Bowl 2021

Ball State quarterback Drew Plitt dropped back to pass, but defensive pressure forced him to scrambled around in the pocket. The ball fell out of his hands in the process and was recovered by defensive end Javon Denis. Denis ran the ball 37 yards untouched into the end zone for the touchdown, and Georgia State took a 14-7 lead on the ensuing extra point.

Georgia State evens score in Camellia Bowl 2021 with touchdown pass from Darren Grainger to Aubry Payne

An 18-yard touchdown pass from Georgia State quarterback Darren Grainger to tight end Aubry Payne tied the 2021 Camellia Bowl at 7-7 in the first quarter. The score capped off a 10-play, 75-yard drive for the Panthers.

Ball State strikes first in Camellia Bowl 2021 with touchdown pass from Drew Plitt to Jayshon Jackson

Ball State quarterback Drew Plitt connected with wide receiver Jayshon Jackson for a 56-yard touchdown on the Cardinals' second drive of the game. The score and ensuing extra point gave Ball State a 7-0 lead.

Here's more Camellia Bowl 2021 news

Shawn Elliott is in his fifth season as Georgia State's head football coach. Mike Neu is in his sixth season as Ball State's head football coach.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Camellia Bowl: Ball State vs. Georgia State football highlights, score