Tennessee State became the first FCS team this season to beat an FBS team by claiming a 17-10 win over host Georgia State Thursday night in Atlanta before an announced sold out crowd of 24,333.

Dajour Nesbeth comes up big

Sophomore cornerback Dajour Nesbeth, in his first start, sealed perhaps the biggest win in TSU's modern history by coming up with an interception at midfield and returning it to the Georgia State 27 with just 59 seconds left. The Panthers had no timeouts left and TSU's offense went into the victory formation. It was Nesbeth's first career interception. It was the fourth turnover TSU came up with while committing none.

Treon Harris lives up to the hype

It didn't take long for Treon Harris, the former Florida starting quarterback, to show that he will make TSU's offense significantly better this season. His elusiveness kept Georgia State's defense off balance for most of the game. Harris helped TSU set the tempo for the game early and pile up 247 total yards in the first half to GSU's 81. Harris capped a 96-yard drive in the third quarter with a 12-yard TD run on what was designed to be a screen pass and put TSU up 17-3. He finished with 236 total offensive yards (145 pass, 91 rushing). TSU finish with 383 total offensive yards to GSU's 267.

Red zone opportunities

TSU moved the ball with great ease for long stretches. If the Tigers had capitalized more often in the red zone early they could have claimed an even more convincing win. They got into scoring range four out of the first five times they had the ball. They capitalized, however, by scoring only one touchdown (4-yard run by Seth Rowland) and a 19-yard field goal by Lane Clark. In the second half TSU made the best of getting into the red zone right off the bat on Harris' TD run.

Key injuries

TSU went into the game without three key players — starting running back Earl Harrison, offensive tackle Thomas Burton and wide receiver/kick returner Chris Rowland. The Tigers suffered another big loss early when cornerback Terrell Bonds injured his ankle. Bonds had replaced Ezra Robinson, who led TSU in interceptions last season. Bonds did not return, but said after the game that he did not believe the injury was serious. Clark was hampered by a hamstring injury and missed three field goal attempts.

Seth Rowland to the rescue

Sophomore Sabree Curtis replaced Harrison in the starting lineup, but it was former Ravenwood standout Seth Rowland who took the reins of the running attack. Rowland, a walk-on, scored a 4-yard TD in the second quarter to put TSU up 10-0. Then in the third quarter he cut loose on a 62-yard run to the GSU 37. What made that run even more impressive was that Georgia State was the only FBS team in the nation last year that did not allow a run or pass for more than 50 yards. Rowland's run set up Harris' TD, which put TSU up 17-3. Rowland, who out-shined all of TSU's backs in preseason camp, finished with 76 yards on nine carries.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 and on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.