PHOTO COURTESY OF A-STATE ATHLETICS

The Arkansas State Red Wolves football team defeated the South Alabama Jaguars on another thrilling finish with a final score of 15-14.

A-State entered the game 2-4 after defeating Texas State 31-30 on a last minute touchdown. South Alabama had lost five straight games and had a record of 1-5, with their last victory coming in week one against Morgan State of the Football Championship Subdivision.

Penalties were a major factor in this game. A combined 25 flags were thrown in this game for a combined 221 penalty yards. A-State’s first few drives were heavily affected by penalties, with several costly holding penalties killing offensive momentum. The Jags got the scoring started in the 1st quarter after the first three drives of the game ended in punts. A costly facemask penalty tacked on to a 24 yard pass by Jags quarterback Bishop Davenport got South Alabama a huge chunk of yards, and the Red Wolves defensive struggles against the run did nothing to help stop the offense. The drive ended on a 9 yard touchdown run by Jaguars running back Kentrel Bullock to make the score 7-0.

The Red Wolves did nothing but punt in the first quarter, but in the second quarter they finally got on the board with a 25-yard field goal by kicker Clune Van Andel.

The half ended with a score of 7-3. Things started to look lost for the Red Wolves in the third quarter. While the defense held firm for most of the game, the offense struggled to finish a drive with a touchdown. The Red Wolves second drive showed a lot of promise, but stalled out near the red zone. Van Andel attempted another field goal to bring the deficit within a point, but this attempt was blocked by the Jaguars.

The defense for A-State held off the Jags the next drive, but QB Jaylen Raynor threw an interception immediately after the Red Wolves got back on offense. The Jaguars capitalized on the turnover in five plays and South Alabama RB PJ Martin took a sweep to the house from seven yards out. The lead was extended to 14-3.

A-State scored on their opening drive of the fourth quarter with another field goal from Van Andel, this time a successful attempt from 37 yards out. On the next Red Wolves possession A-State finally found success. Raynor got loose from the Jaguars pass rush and scrambled 42 yards, breaking multiple tackles in the process. On the very next play Raynor found wide receiver Hunter Summers for a 6-touchdown pass. The two-point attempt failed and the score stayed at 14-12 Jaguars.

South Alabama attempted to put the game out of reach with a 15 play drive that ended in a field goal attempt. But, similarly to the Texas State game on October 4, kicker Hamilton DiBoyan missed a 29-yard field goal. 

With the game on the line, Raynor once again rose to the occasion. Raynor gained three first downs through the air and on the ground, setting the Red Wolves up in prime field goal position. A-State then put their trust in Van Andel, and Van Andel delivered with a 38-yard boot as time expired. The Red Wolves snatched a 15-14 victory with the score.

The victory marks the first road victory of the season for the Red Wolves and moves their record to 3-4. A-State has won their past two games by a combined two points. For the Jaguars, their losing streak increases to six. If they lose another game this season, they will be ineligible for a postseason bowl game. They will look to right the ship against fellow Sun Belt Conference basement dweller Georgia State. 

The Red Wolves will take a much-needed break after this game, and will not return to action until October 25. They will play Georgia Southern in their homecoming game.

Categories: Sports