In their last regular season game, Arkansas State fell to the Old Dominion Monarchs (ODU), giving the Red Wolves their only home loss of the year. A combination of A-State turnovers and ODU racking up 406 rushing yards led to this 40-32 loss.

“I give ODU a lot of credit. We knew they were going to challenge us” head coach Butch Jones said. “Football comes down to one-on-one matchups and winning your box. We weren’t able to do that tonight.”

On the third play of the game, wide receiver Corey Rucker ran the ball for 12 yards to A-State’s 31. This play resulted in Rucker becoming the all-time leader for rushing yards at Arkansas State.

On the first Red Wolves offensive drive, quarterback Jaylan Raynor threw an early interception. The pass was intended for wide receiver Adam Jones but was overthrown and was intercepted by Monarchs safety Will Jones II. 

The next play, Monarchs QB Quinn Henicle rushed to the right for a 92-yard touchdown. The Red Wolves weren’t expecting Henicle to play, as the freshman has only played in two other games this season. 

“It was a different quarterback but he was doing exactly what we expected the other quarterback to do,” linebacker Charles Willekes said. 

The Red Wolves attempted to respond to the quick score by the Monarchs, and got a decent drive into ODU territory. This drive ended in another turnover as running back Ja’Quez Cross fumbled the ball after a short run up the middle. ODU got another touchdown, making the score a 14-0.

A-State’s defense managed to hold the score here for a while, and a spectacular 4th down tackle by defensive end Bryan Whitehead forced the turnover on downs. The Red Wolves marched downfield and got their first touchdown on 4th and 8 after Raynor threw a 36-yard bomb to wide receiver Corey Rucker.

The first half ended with the Monarchs leading 21-14.  In the first half, RB Zak Wallace led the Red Wolves in rushing yards with 61 yards. Raynor was 10-18 for passing attempts for a total of 110 yards. Rucker led A-State in receiving yards with 71 for four catches. 

Even with two missed extra points by the Monarchs and a touchdown with a two point conversion by Arkansas State, the Red Wolves were unable to hold ODU defensively, and the Monarchs had ball possession for the remaining six minutes of the game. Old Dominion left with a 40-32 victory.

The Monarchs ran for a total of 406 yards, 205 of those by their quarterback whereas A-State managed 149 rushing yards.

“They’re able to come in here and run the ball for over 400 yards and I give them a lot of credit,” Jones said. “They won the line of scrimmage. And as we know, football is a line of scrimmage game.”

Jaylan Raynor was 22 for 36 for a total of 261 passing yards. Corey Rucker finished the game with 115 receiving yards. Zak Wallace ran for a net gain of 89 yards. 

The Monarchs ran for a total of 406 yards, 205 of those by their quarterback whereas A-State managed 149 rushing yards.

“They’re  able to come in here and run the ball for over 400 yards and I give them a lot of credit,” Jones said. “They won the line of scrimmage. And as we know, football is a line of scrimmage game.”

The Red Wolves will play a bowl game to end the season. A-State will find out their bowl selection on December 8.

Categories: Sports