BOONE, N.C. -- Jalin Moore ran for 45 of 159 yards for a touchdown to break a scoreless tie in the third quarter and Appalachian State intercepted four passes in beating Georgia State 17-3 on Saturday in a Sun Belt opener.

Moore weaved through the Panthers defense to score with 13:32 left in the third quarter.

Michael Rubino added a 42-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter before Rogier ten Lohuis gave Georgia State (0-4, 0-1) its only points with a 43-yard field goal. But the Mountaineers (3-2, 1-0) took the ensuing kickoff and used up nearly six minutes before Taylor Lamb threw 12 yards to Shaedon Meadors for the final margin with 3:16 remaining.

Moore finished with 159 yards on 28 carries for Appalachian State, the preseason Sun Belt favorite, which has now won 14 of its last 15 conference games and returns 17 of 22 starters from last year's 11-2 squad.

Georgia State senior Robert Davis became the Panthers' all-time leading receiver, making five catches to raise his career total to 179 and pass former teammate Albert Wilson (175, 2010-13).