The Arkansas State football team gave up their first home loss in 25 years to the University of Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday, losing to the Warhawks in back-to-back seasons.

After a week break, A-State looked to extend their two-game winning streak, with head coach Butch Jones entering the game with a 15-12 record after a bye week.

Early in the game, the Red Wolves got off to a fast start as quarterback Trey Owens completed his first three passes, connecting with wide receivers Nana Burris and Jaylen Bonelli to advance the ball down the field. However, the Red Wolves couldn’t capitalize in Warhawks territory on their next three plays as Owens threw two incomplete passes and running back Kenyon Clay lost a yard on his first rush. The drive ended with a wide-right field goal attempt as kicker Clune Van Andel missed from 39 yards.

On their first offensive possession, ULM started strong as it settled into its running game. Running back Don Chaney rushed for 8-yards on the first two plays before gaining 36-yards on third-and-2, putting the Warhawks at the Arkansas State 36-yard line.

Running back Marcellus Jackson then rushed for 14 more yards, pushing the Warhawks into the red zone. Quarterback Aidan Armenta completed a 2-yard pass, then a 14-yard completion to wide receiver JP Coulter, giving the Warhawks a first-and-goal. After a 3-yard loss on a rush from running back Derrick Jameson, Armenta completed a 4-yard pass to Chaney before reaching the endzone for a 9-yard touchdown on a designed quarterback run. However, ULM only took a 6-0 lead after A-State defensive tackle Elias Sherman blocked the extra point.

The Red Wolves’ offense responded immediately as Trey Owens threw a 6-yard pass to Chauncey Cobb, opening up the running game. Clay and running back Solomon Baggett combined for 14 yards, moving the Red Wolves downfield. Owens connected with Cobb on another 7-yard completion, moving Arkansas State into ULM territory.

After a designed run and an incomplete pass, Owens found an open seam up the middle for a 6-yard gain. He then threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hunter Summers, putting the Red Wolves up 7-6 with 1:13 left in the opening period. Summers scored the first touchdown for A-State after sitting out the previous game from a domestic violence arrest.

The Red Wolves’ first quarter offense totaled 188 yards compared with ULM’s 96. Arkansas State also converted three of four third-down attempts, while ULM converted both. The Red Wolves sustained a longer drive, possessing the ball for 9:07 compared with ULM’s 5:53.

In the second quarter, the Red Wolves’ defense picked up the intensity as it forced ULM to rely on its passing game. However, Chaney and Armenta came up big, leading the Warhawks to back-to-back fourth-down conversions on the same drive. After a 41-yard gain by running back Roland Bryson put the Warhawks in the red zone, Armenta threw an interception at the 4-yard line to cornerback Tony Carter.

On the Red Wolves’ next drive, Owens completed a 14-yard pass to Burris from the 4-yard line on third-and-9. He then connected with Cobb for 21-yards before running for 48-yards, putting the Red Wolves at the ULM 13-yard line. Running back Timothy Carter capped the drive with a 4-yard rushing touchdown, extending the Red Wolves’ lead to 14-6 with 6:20 left in the first half.

On the Red Wolves’ next possession, Owens threw an interception to ULM defensive back Armoni Rue, returning it to the A-State 16-yard line. After back-to-back short runs, the Warhawks kicked a 23-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 14-9 with five seconds left in the half.

Despite ULM totaling 128 yards compared with Arkansas State’s 109, the Red Wolves outscored the Warhawks 7-3 in the quarter.

The Warhawks started the second half with the ball and carried the momentum they took into the locker room. Armenta threatened as a runner, opening up the passing game for his receivers. He capped the drive with a 16-yard completion to running back Bryson Roland and a 14-yard reception by Jackson. Armenta finished the drive with a 2-yard quarterback run, putting ULM ahead 16-14 with 9:33 left in the third quarter.

What stood out about ULM was its ability to sustain long drives, tiring out the Red Wolves’ defense while forcing the A-State offense to sit on the sideline.

The Warhawks’ defense took full advantage of A-State’s offensive rust from their time on the bench, pressuring Owens and forcing him to throw passes away as it stopped the Red Wolves’ offense on their next drive.

On the Warhawks’ next possession, the Red Wolves’ defense responded and blitzed on third-and-9, forcing Armenta to throw into tight coverage and resulting in an interception by safety Makai Shahid.

The Red Wolves’ offense continued to stall as the Warhawks stopped the run and completed a three-and-out by sacking Owens on third down.

ULM began finding its rhythm late in the third quarter and into the fourth as the Red Wolves struggled to contain the running game. However, the drive stalled as the Red Wolves’ defense began stacking the box, forcing a Warhawks three-and-out.

The Red Wolves capped the following possession with a 41-yard field goal by Van Andel to take a 17-16 lead with 5:43 left in the fourth quarter.

The ULM rushing attack continued to wear down the Red Wolves as Carlisle and Chaney combined for 43-yards on their final drive.

In the end, Jones said their offense struggled due to their defense’s inability to contain the run.

“We only had eight possessions for the game offensively, and that’s a byproduct of not being able to stop the run on defense. And in those eight possessions, you know, two turnovers and a missed field goal,” Jones said.

On first-and-15 at the Red Wolves’ 46-yard line, Carlisle threw an incomplete pass but was hit after the play, drawing a roughing-the-passer penalty. The penalty allowed the Warhawks to move into field goal range.

After a 6-yard gain on a third-and-7 quarterback keeper by Carlisle put the Warhawks at the 22-yard line, ULM faced fourth-and-1. The Warhawks elected to attempt a field goal instead of going for it, trusting their defense to protect the lead. Kicker Abram Murray connected on a 40-yard field goal to give the Warhawks a 19-17 lead with 1:49 left in the fourth quarter.

On third-and-5 at the 44-yard line, Owens threw an interception to Gavin Howard in double coverage, giving ULM the 19-17 upset victory and sealing their first win in Jonesboro in 25 years.

Even with the debilitating loss, safety AG McGhee said the team needs to keep their head in the game to finish out the year.

“We got to fight back. The season ain’t over. We play football games around here. That always been the standard of this program,” McGhee said.

Cobb said he also has to be better while acknowledging the team has things to work on heading into next week, trying to motivate his fellow teammates in the face of this setback.

“Everything that we want is still in front of us. So we’re just encouraging guys not to give up, and just encouraging guys that we gotta stop beating ourselves,” Cobb said. “We gotta look at ourselves in the mirror and figure out what we want right now that we got in our face and can go get (it).”

As the head of the program, Jones said he took full accountability for his team’s loss and lack of execution, putting an emphasis on the hope for the remaining games.

“It starts with me because I am responsible for everything in this program, from A to Z. We still have a lot to play for, and I think that’s the thing that we have to keep in perspective,” Jones said.

The Red Wolves will look to bounce back as they take on Coastal Carolina on the road at noon on Nov. 16 in search of their fifth win of the season.

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