Florida Tech hangs on to beat No. 1 West Georgia

Update, 4:44 p.m.:

The Florida Tech football team upset No. 1 West Georgia 28-26 Saturday afternoon in front of 4,568 fans at Florida Tech Panther Stadium.

The Panthers used a big first half to take a 28-6 lead and then held off a West Georgia rally in the second half to secure the win and a share of the Gulf South Conference lead.

The Panthers jumped out to an early lead, scoring on the opening drive when Mark Cato found Gabe Hughes for the 21-yard touchdown.

Tevin Kirkland then picked up a fumbled snap and scored to give Florida Tech a 14-0 lead with six minutes left in the first quarter.

After a West Georgia touchdown, Florida Tech would score two more times as Cato and Hughes hooked up for a touchdown and then Cato ran in from 1-yard out. Cato is 15-for-22 for 163 yards and the two touchdowns. Hughes has 69 yards receiving.

But the third quarter belonged to West Georgia as they marched right down the field on the first drive of the second half and Devontae Jackson broke through the middle for the 20-yard touchdown on a third and 8 play.

Then the defense gets a big sack on third down, forcing a punt by Florida Tech. The Panthers lead 28-13 in the third quarter.