Tag: Arkansas State Red Wolves

Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jaylin Noel (13) celebrates after a touchdown against Iowa during the third quarter in the Cy-Hawk series at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa.

No. 20 Iowa State still savoring Iowa upset, resets with Arkansas State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

What can Kyle Konrardy and No. 20 Iowa State do for an encore?

Konrardy’s 54-yard field goal with six seconds left lifted the Cyclones to a 20-19 win at instate rival Iowa on Sept. 7. For his troubles, the redshirt freshman earned 54 boxes of Pop-Tarts, the breakfast pastry that has its name attached to a bowl game.

After a bye week to bask in the glow of the big win and work on some of those Pop-Tarts, Iowa State returns to action Saturday afternoon with a game against Arkansas State in Ames, Iowa.

Making Konrardy’s game-winner even more remarkable was he hadn’t attempted a field goal in a college game before that game. He missed from 41 yards out just before halftime and then connected on a 46-yarder early in the fourth quarter, pulling his team within 19-17.

His approach for the game-winner?

“Not think,” he said. “That’s it. Just go out there, not think and do what you do.”

The Cyclones (2-0) rode a stingy defense to a fast start. They’ve allowed just one touchdown and 22 points so far, although North Dakota and Iowa haven’t exactly posed two-dimensional threats to truly test a defense.

Still, it was the defense that kept Iowa State in contention when its offense bumbled its way through the first half. The Cyclones forced Iowa to settle for short field goals after long drives.

It was the program’s biggest comeback since 2020, when it trailed Baylor by 14 points.

“It’s a law of progression, nothing ever just goes straight to success,” Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said. “The great teams, man, the special ones, they can make those down moments blips and get right back on the road to success.”

While Iowa State tries to maintain its early momentum, Arkansas State (2-1) shoots for an upset. The Red Wolves never really threatened Michigan last week in a 28-18 loss in Ann Arbor but at least made the final score respectable with two fourth-quarter touchdowns.

Arkansas State created its chances by intercepting three passes but ultimately generated just three points, which was the key factor in its first loss. Backup quarterback Timmy McClain fired a pair of touchdown passes in the last six minutes.

The Red Wolves opened their season with narrow home wins against Central Arkansas, one of the top FCS programs in the country, and Tulsa. They sport a balanced attack that’s led by Jaylen Raynor, who’s thrown for 712 yards and three touchdowns, and Corey Rucker, who’s caught 17 passes for 265 yards and a pair of scores.

Zak Wallace, the team’s leading rusher with 124 yards, has scored 40 touchdowns in a career that started at FCS UT Martin.

“We can say that we’re kind of slept on,” he said. “You don’t hear about (us) a lot but we’re here.”

This will be the first matchup of Arkansas State and Iowa State.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Kalel Mullings (20) runs the ball against the Arkansas State Red Wolves during the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Kalel Mullings, No. 17 Michigan run past Arkansas State

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Kalel Mullings rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries as No. 17 Michigan defeated Arkansas State 28-18 on Saturday afternoon at Ann Arbor, Mich.

Donovan Edwards ran for 82 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown for the Wolverines (2-1), who bounced back from their loss to Texas a week earlier. Michigan outrushed Arkansas State 301-58.

Starting quarterback Davis Warren completed 11 of 14 passes for 122 yards but was intercepted three times. Alex Orji tossed a touchdown pass after replacing Warren.

Starting quarterback Jaylen Raynor completed 19 of 33 passes for 140 yards with an interception for the Red Wolves (2-1). Timmy McClain threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns passes to Reginald Harden Jr. after the Wolverines led by 25 points.

Michigan led 21-3 at halftime.

The Red Wolves ran off 13 plays on their first drive, then opted for a field-goal attempt on fourth-and-1. Clune Van Andel missed the 42-yard attempt.

Michigan then scored on an 11-play, 76-yard drive, capped by Mullings’ 30-yard run.

Warren was picked off by Charles Willekes late in the first quarter. Willekes returned the interception 30 yds to the Michigan 15. The Wolverines prevented a first down and Arkansas State settled for Van Andel’s 27-yard field goal.

Michigan responded with a 75-yard drive, completed by Edwards’ 7-yard scoring run. Edwards picked up 42 yards on seven carries during the possession.

Arkansas State failed to pick up a first down on its next possession and punted the ball away. The Wolverines needed only four plays to score again. Mullings had another 30-yard scamper before scoring on a 5-yard run.

Van Andel missed a 38-yard field goal try on the final play of the half.

Warren was intercepted again in the third quarter, but Arkansas State failed to capitalize as Raynor was picked off in the end zone by Makari Paige.

Mullings’ 38-yard run set up the Wolverines’ next touchdown. Orji threw a 9-yard scoring pass to Hogan Hansen early in the fourth quarter.

–Field Level Media

Arkansas State Red Wolves running back Ja'Quez Cross (2) is stopped by Northern Illinois Huskies defensive end Raishein Thomas (4) in first half action in the Camellia Bowl at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday December 23, 2023.

Trick play fuels Northern Illinois past Arkansas State

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Kicker Kanon Woodill scored a 32-yard touchdown on a trick play to help Northern Illinois notch a 21-19 victory over Arkansas State in the Camellia Bowl on Saturday at Montgomery, Ala.

Rocky Lombardi passed for one touchdown and rushed for another as Northern Illinois (7-6) ended a seven-game bowl losing streak. Ironically, the previous win also came against Arkansas State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl following the 2011 regular season.

Antario Brown rushed for 132 yards on 25 carries and Grayson Barnes caught five passes for 105 yards and one touchdown for the Huskies. Lombardi completed 18 of 29 passes for 200 yards and two interceptions in his final game to end a seven-year college career (2017-20 at Michigan State, 2021-23 at NIU).

Jalen Raynor was 16-of-30 passing for 250 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for the Red Wolves (6-7), who notched their fourth consecutive losing campaign. Corey Rucker had five catches, 107 yards and two scoring receptions, the latter one coming with 1:14 left to bring Arkansas State within 21-19.

On the ensuing two-point conversion play, Raynor’s pass was high and out of the end zone.

The Red Wolves recovered the ensuing onside kick but it was nullified due to a controversial offside penalty. Barnes recovered the next try and the Huskies ran out the clock.

Northern Illinois led 13-7 in the second quarter when it faced fourth-and-5 and Woodill trotted out for a field-goal attempt.

But there was no kick planned. After the snap came, holder Tom Foley flipped the ball to Woodill, who raced through a big hole in the middle of the field for a 32-yard touchdown to give the Huskies a 21-7 lead.

The Red Wolves received field goals of 28 and 45 yards from Dominic Zvada to trail 21-13 at halftime.

Northern Illinois began the game with a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, with Lombardi connecting with Barnes on an 18-yard scoring pass. A two-point conversion run failed.

Later in the period, Arkansas State’s Trevian Thomas intercepted Lombardi. On the next play, Raynor tossed a 42-yard touchdown pass to Rucker. Zvada’s point-after gave the Red Wolves a 7-6 lead.

The Huskies took the 13-7 advantage when Lombardi scored a 6-yard keeper with 1:24 left in the first quarter.

Woodill used all his good fortune on the touchdown play. He clanked a 36-yard field goal off the left upright in the second quarter and achieved a second doink in the third quarter when his 23-yard caromed off the right upright.

–Field Level Media

Sep 16, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies cornerback Jacob Finley (20) loses his helmet while tackling Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Alex Bullock (84) during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

N. Illinois aims to end run of bowl losses in clash vs. Arkansas St.

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Northern Illinois hasn’t won a bowl game since ending the 2011 season with a victory over Arkansas State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl.

The Huskies have since dropped seven straight bowl games. They will get the opportunity to end the dismal stretch when they again face the Red Wolves on Saturday in the Camellia Bowl at Montgomery, Ala.

Northern Illinois hasn’t even been competitive in most of the games during its bowl skid, losing five by 21 or more points.

The Huskies (6-6) had to do a lot of work to gain this bowl spot, as they started the season 1-4. But they recovered to win five of their next seven games, including back-to-back MAC wins over Western Michigan and Kent State to close the regular season.

“Every bowl experience is unique and different,” Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock said. “It’s a great reward for the way you played throughout the season and an excellent way to send your seniors out the right way. We have the opportunity to finish the season with a championship.”

Arkansas State (6-6) is in a bowl game for the first time since 2019, when it beat Florida International in this same Camellia Bowl. The Red Wolves dropped two of their last three regular-season games this year but still received a berth.

Linebacker Charles Willekes, the team’s leading tackler with 87 stops, said Arkansas State is playing with a purpose.

“We’re looking at this game as the first one of next year,” Willekes said. “So ending this season with a winning season and starting next year with a win would be huge.”

Red Wolves quarterback Jaylen Raynor was named Freshman of the Year in the Sun Belt Conference after passing for 2,293 yards and 15 touchdowns, with six interceptions.

Raynor’s best performance was when he passed for 383 yards and six touchdowns in a 52-28 rout of host UMass on Sept. 30.

Northern Illinois features a seven-year veteran at quarterback in Rocky Lombardi, who spent four seasons at Michigan State (2017-20) before playing the last three for the Huskies.

Lombardi has passed for 2,074 yards and 10 touchdowns, with five interceptions, this season. He has 5,316 yards at Northern Illinois, the sixth-highest total in school history.

The Huskies also have a standout running back in Antario Brown, who has 1,164 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Brown has topped 150 yards four times this season, including a career-best 280 (on just 13 carries) in a 55-14 win over host Akron on Oct. 7.

Brown scored four touchdowns in that game on runs of 66, 58, 46 and 50 yards.

“AB made some explosive and dynamic plays for our offense, and we saw what he could do when he was able to stay healthy and play the whole season,” Hammock said.

Defensively, only two teams topped 200 passing yards against Northern Illinois, which entered the bowl season ranked sixth nationally in passing defense at 164.6 yards per game.

The Huskies also have had success against the Red Wolves, winning seven of the eight meetings.

“They are a physical, imposing football team,” Arkansas State coach Butch Jones said of the Huskies. “They do a great job, they’re well-coached. This is a challenge. We have to prove we can play with them as well.”

The Red Wolves are 4-6 in FBS bowl games. Northern Illinois is 4-10 at the FBS level.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) runs past Arkansas State Red Wolves defensive lineman Micah Bland (55) during the second quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

No. 20 Oklahoma too much for Arkansas State, 73-0

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Dillon Gabriel threw for 308 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score, all in the first half, to lift No. 20 Oklahoma to a 73-0 victory over Arkansas State on Saturday at Norman, Okla.

The Sooners’ offense was dominant from the start, needing just five plays to drive 70 yards for a touchdown to start the game and finding the end zone on each of their first five drives.

By halftime, Oklahoma led 45-0.

The Sooners (1-0) converted on each of their first seven third-down tries, while holding the Red Wolves (0-1) to just 1 of 7 on third down in the first half.

About the only thing that didn’t go right for Oklahoma in the first half was an injury to starting receiver Drake Stoops (shoulder), who had four catches for 56 yards and a touchdown in the first six minutes of the game before departing.

Gabriel kept spreading the ball around, completing passes to nine different receivers in the first half. That included three catches for 66 yards by Andrel Anthony, a Michigan transfer.

After Gabriel hit Stoops for a 10-yard score on the game’s first drive, the Sooners’ defense quickly held Arkansas State to a three-and-out before Gavin Freeman returned the ensuing punt 82 yards for a touchdown.

It was Oklahoma’s first punt return for a touchdown since Dede Westbrook’s against Kansas in 2016.

Freeman added a 7-yard touchdown reception late in the first quarter as the Sooners took a 28-0 lead.

Eight different players scored touchdowns for the Sooners, with only walk-on running back Tawee Walker and Freeman scoring multiple times.

Oklahoma outgained Arkansas State 642-208, including 220-48 rushing.

Sooners freshman backup quarterback Jackson Arnold, who took over for Gabriel after halftime, was 11 of 11 for 114 yards and a score. He also ran for another touchdown in his collegiate debut as Oklahoma finished 30 of 33 through the air.

Oklahoma averaged 7.8 yards per play.

Courtney Jackson led the Red Wolves with three catches for 66 yards. No player had more than 11 yards rushing for Arkansas State.

The Red Wolves were just 2 of 12 on third down, while the Sooners were 11 of 14.

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2021; Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves wide receiver Te'Vailance Hunt (10) runs after a catch as Coastal Carolina Chanticleers defensive back Tavyn Jackson (42) defends during the first half at Centennial Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

No. 15 Coastal Carolina’s passing attack crushes Arkansas State

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No. 15 Coastal Carolina scored the game’s first points on a 99-yard play as part of another big game for quarterback Grayson McCall and receiver Isaiah Likely in a 52-20 victory against Arkansas State on Thursday night in Jonesboro, Ark.

McCall threw for four touchdowns, with three of them going to Likely.

McCall, who entered the game having completed his previous 15 passes, ended up 18 of 23 for 365 yards. Likely made eight catches for 232 yards.

Running back Shermari Jones, who missed the previous two games with an injury, rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries for Coastal Carolina (6-0, 2-0 Sun Belt Conference).

The Chanticleers reached the 50-point mark for the fourth time this season.

Coastal Carolina began its first possession at its 1-yard line after an Arkansas State punt. After a run for no gain, the first of the McCall-to-Likely connections resulted in the 99-yard touchdown play.

The duo also hooked up for 4- and 16-yard scoring plays, the former coming with 13 seconds left in the first half and the latter concluding the first drive of the second half.

Coastal Carolina led 31-0 when Arkansas State (1-5, 0-2) scored with 9:06 remaining in the third quarter. That marked the first touchdown surrendered by the Chanticleers in three games.

Quarterback Layne Hatcher of Arkansas State threw for two touchdowns. He was 13-for-29 for 185 yards with an interception.

After the Chanticleers led 24-0 at halftime, the teams combined for four touchdowns across the first four possessions of the third quarter.

The Red Wolves pulled within 38-20 at the 12:21 mark of the fourth quarter on Lincoln Pare’s 1-yard run before a failed two-point conversion.

Coastal Carolina responded quickly, with Reese White running for a 64-yard touchdown on the second snap of the next possession. Less than four minutes later, Chanticleers backup quarterback Bryce Carpenter sprinted 67 yards for another touchdown.

Arkansas State was limited to 18 rushing yards.

The Chanticleers played just their second road game of the season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers quarterback Grayson McCall (10) throws the ball against the Buffalo Bulls during the second half of play at UB Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nicholas LoVerde-USA TODAY Sports

No. 15 Coastal Carolina aims to keep rolling vs. skidding Arkansas State

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This sounds like it could be an ideal situation for No. 15 Coastal Carolina.

The plan for Thursday night’s game at Arkansas State is for the Chanticleers to emphasize the areas that normally suit them best.

“When you play a short-week game, you’ve obviously got to rely on what you do well,” Coastal Carolina coach Jamey Chadwell said. “You’re not going to do too much.”

The matchup in Jonesboro, Ark., marks the first Sun Belt Conference road game for the Chanticleers.

No. 15 Coastal Carolina (5-0, 1-0 Sun Belt) hasn’t allowed a touchdown in its past two games, demolishing Massachusetts and Louisiana Monroe by a combined score of 112-9 in a pair of home games.

“We know we’re going to be playing better and better teams going forward,” Chadwell said. “Our defense, as good as they can be, I think they can get better. If we’re to be really good in this league, they’re going to be the ones to help us do it.”

Despite that dominance, the Coastal Carolina defense didn’t collect a turnover until the fourth quarter of the fifth game.

Arkansas State (1-4, 0-1) has an array of issues to address following a four-game losing streak. The Red Wolves tumbled by 59-33 on Saturday at Georgia Southern, giving up more than 50 points for the third time this season.

Red Wolves coach Butch Jones, whose squad lost Memphis, Washington and Tulsa prior to Sun Belt Conference competition, said he knows the team’s top-heavy schedule means there has to be rapid development.

“We’re going to get it rectified,” Jones said. “We’re going to get it corrected. We’re going to keep driving to do that.”

Arkansas State quarterback James Blackman has thrown for multiple touchdowns in three games this year. He’s in his first season with the Red Wolves after transferring from Florida State.

Coastal Carolina, which has reached the 50-point mark in three of its games, is 5-0 for the second year in a row and for the fifth time in nine seasons.

The Chanticleers have had their lone close call in their only road outing, edging Buffalo 28-25 on Sept. 18 in a non-conference matchup.

Coastal Carolina holds a 10-game winning streak in Sun Belt games.

Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall has completed his last 15 passes, including a 13-for-13 mark against UL-Monroe. He didn’t play in the second half Saturday, in part because he suffered what Chadwell described as a slight ankle injury.

“He could have gone back in and played,” Chadwell said. “Since it’s a Thursday (for the next game), quicker turnaround, we wanted to take that extra precaution.”

Either way, the Chanticleers were determined to use a bunch of backups in the second half with the quick turnaround on the schedule.

“It helps your morale,” Chadwell said. “We’re getting a lot of people in and they’re getting to contribute.”

Despite the success through the air, the Chanticleers might want to see what’s available in terms of a ground attack. Arkansas State gave up 503 rushing yards to Georgia Southern.

Coastal Carolina could have kicker Massimo Biscardi back in action after he has missed three games with an injury.

This begins a three-game stretch of midweek games for the Chanticleers, who won’t play again on a Saturday until November.

Until last year’s 52-23 romp at home, Coastal Carolina had never defeated Arkansas State in three previous meetings. That included a one-point loss in 2019 in Jonesboro.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane quarterback Davis Brin (7) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Tulsa aims to stop skid at home vs. Arkansas State

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Last week Tulsa was within striking distance at Ohio State while Arkansas State was blown away at Washington.

Coming off significantly different results against Power Five opponents, the schools get together Saturday when Tulsa hosts Arkansas State.

Tulsa (0-3) is off to its worst start since 2004, but it is not for lack of competitiveness. After opening with a 19-17 loss to UC Davis and a 28-23 setback at Oklahoma State, the Golden Hurricane dropped a 41-20 decision to the then-No. 9 Buckeyes in a game that was closer than the final score.

The Golden Hurricane racked up 501 yards of total offense. Quarterback Davis Brin threw for a career-best 428 yards and Josh Johnson had eight receptions for a career-high 149 yards in a game where Tulsa trailed 13-6 at halftime and 27-20 early in the fourth.

“I’m really proud of the way we played today,” Tulsa coach Philip Montgomery said afterward. “We did some good things and gave ourselves some good opportunities. We went toe-to-toe with an exceptional team. It’s been a tough start, but I am encouraged by the way we played today.

“We still have a lot of football ahead of us. We have a good football team and now we have to focus on getting over the hump.”

Arkansas State (1-2) is looking to avoid a third straight loss after a 52-3 defeat at Washington that followed a 55-50 loss to Memphis.

Quarterback James Blackman threw for 306 yards and four touchdowns against Memphis when he replaced Layne Hatcher. But against Washington, he was 16-of-38 passing for 176 yards while the Red Wolves were outgained 200-48 in yards rushing and went 5-of-18 on third down conversions.

“When you play a quality opponent like Washington, everything is magnified,” Arkansas State coach Butch Jones said. “Every critical mistake you make — not being locked in, not trusting your keys, not reacting.

“We have to go back and look at all that. All this is on me.”

–Field Level Media