Photo by: Hannah Risker | Staff Photographer: Kirk Merritt made 10 receptions for 131 yards in A-State’s 41-28 win over SIU.

The Arkansas State football team defeated Southern Illinois 41-28 on Saturday night in the Red Wolves’ final non-conference game of the regular season. A-State improved to 2-2 on the season while the Salukis fell to 2-2.

The story of the night was SIU not being able to convert in the red zone. The Salukis were in the red zone six times but only scored on two of those occasions.

Senior receiver Kirk Merritt led the talented A-State receiving core with 10 receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns on the night.

“That’s the great thing about this offense is that we have so many weapons,” Merritt said. “I think Logan just liked what they were giving us.”

Logan Bonner impressed once again throwing for 320 yards and four touchdowns.

“He’s getting really comfortable in what he’s doing,” head coach Blake Anderson said about Bonner. “He’s prepared for it. He’s doing what I thought he would be able to do.”

Despite a good offensive showing, A-State struggled on defense. The Salukis out gained the Red Wolves 526 yards to 474 yards.

“I thought Southern Illinois did a great job offensively keeping us off balance,” Anderson said. “(SIU) frustrated us all night.”

The offensive line struggled in the first half, giving up five sacks, but recovered well in the second half.

“I was really proud of them for the fact that they battled,” Bonner said about his offensive line. “I told them every drive I still trusted them.”

Game Summary

Fourth Quarter

A-State started the fourth quarter on a 43 yard field goal by Blake Grupe to put the Red Wolves ahead 41-28.

The home team had a chance to run time off the clock after forcing a Saluki punt early in the fourth quarter. However, the Red Wolves only took 34 seconds off the clock before punting to SIU.

The Salukis did the Red Wolves a massive favor. SIU ground out a six minute 15 second drive deep into Red Wolves’ territory when the Salukis needed to play quickly.

On fourth and goal Kare Lyles passed to a wide open Romeir Elliot in what would have been an easy touchdown. The ball bounced off Elliot’s hands and gave A-State the ball back.

The Red Wolves ran six minutes and four seconds off the clock to finish out the game 41-28.

Third Quarter

The Salukis came out firing after half time. Kare Lyles connected on a 39 yard pass to a wide open Sam Bonansinga to bring the game to a 31-21 scoreline in favor of the Red Wolves.

SIU struggled in the red zone once again. The visitors were deep in A-State territory and elected to attempt a fourth down conversion instead of kicking a field goal. The Salukis turned the ball over on downs and A-State capitalized on a spectacular play.

Following the turnover on downs, Bonner found Bayless for an 89 yard touchdown pass: the longest passing play in Centennial Bank Stadium history and the second longest pass in A-State football history. This put the Red Wolves ahead 38-21 after the Grupe extra point.

SIU managed to score a touchdown as the third quarter ended 38-28 in A-State’s favor.

Second Quarter

SIU held the Red Wolves in the red zone at the start of the second quarter. Blake Grupe made a 35 yard field goal to put A-State ahead 17-14.

On the ensuing drive, the Salukis fumbled and gave possession right back to the Red Wolves. Handed great field position, Bonner made no mistake and found Merritt in the end zone to put the Red Wolves ahead 24-14 after Grupe’s extra point.

The Salukis continued a tough second quarter by failing to score in the red zone after a 26 yard Griffin Cerra field goal attempt clattered off the uprights.

SIU just could not get things going deep in A-State territory despite many opportunities for the Salukis. Kare Lyles threw an interception to Tajhea Chambers in the end zone late in the second quarter.

Following the interception, A-State capped off the first half with a late 25 yard touchdown pass from Bonner to Jonathan Adams. A-State went into the break ahead 31-14.

First Quarter

The Red Wolves got off to a flying start. After receiving the opening kickoff in the end zone, Jeff Foreman returned the ball to the 50 yard line to set up A-State’s first drive of the game. On a trick play, Bayless went from receiver to provider and found Bonner downfield on a 37 yard pass. A couple of plays later Ryan Graham ran for a 14 yard touchdown to put the Red Wolves up 7-0 after Grupe’s extra point.

Kirk Merritt had an outstanding first quarter. The senior receiver accounted for one touchdown and 75 receiving yards on five receptions in the first period alone. Merritt and Bonner were the only two players to make receptions in the first 15 minutes.

Despite this fast start for the Red Wolves, A-State struggled against the Salukis’ offense. Big passing plays for the visitors kept SIU on pace with the Red Wolves. At the end of the first quarter the scoreline read 14-14.

Looking Ahead

A-State returns to action on Sept. 28 as the Red Wolves open Sun Belt Conference play at Troy. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.

Categories: Sports