Oct 53 min read

Arkansas State Holds Off South Alabama in Sun Belt Thriller

JONESBORO, Ark. — In a wild Sun Belt Conference matchup, the Arkansas State Red Wolves (3-2, 1-0) beat South Alabama (2-4, 1-1) 18-16 inside Centennial Bank Stadium after a chaotic turn of events in the fourth quarter. Arkansas State kicker Clune van Andel was the hero in the Oct. 5 game, kicking a 34-yard field goal with 10 seconds left to secure the win.

A game that was a defensive slugfest for much of the evening turned into a shootout in the fourth quarter as the teams traded touchdowns late. However, it was the Red Wolves who responded last on van Andel's field goal.

A final defensive stand ended the game and granted Arkansas State a win in their Sun Belt opener on Homecoming weekend. A rowdy crowd of 21,427 watched the game unfold in Jonesboro.

Arkansas State head coach Butch Jones spoke about the resilience of his team after the game. "It's all about how you respond," Jones said, discussing the back-and-forth nature of the fourth quarter. "We were able to go back and answer their scores. They score on the third-and-25. That's very deflating. We come back and score with the field goal."

Game Summary

The first half featured a defensive slugfest. Neither team scored on either of their first two possessions, but the Red Wolves struck first. A 50-yard pass from Jaylen Raynor to Corey Rucker set up Arkansas State deep in Jaguar territory, but they were unable to punch it into the end zone. A 20-yard field goal from van Andel rang loudly off the right upright, but somehow found its way through the uprights to give Arkansas State a 3-0 lead.

The Jaguars were finally able to get the ball deep into Arkansas State territory on their next drive, but a costly interception took potential points off the board. Suddenly, the game became one where both teams were gifting the ball to each other: Arkansas State was forced to punt after driving into South Alabama territory, and the Jaguars turned the ball over on downs.

The Red Wolves capitalized on the opportunity, going on a 12-play, 76-yard drive, but were once more unable to get the ball across the plane. Van Andel knocked a 21-yard field goal through the uprights that extended Arkansas State's lead to 6-0.

Arkansas State Trades Punches

South Alabama finally found some offense on their final drive of the half, going 45 yards in seven plays to set up a 42-yard field goal from Laith Marjan. At the half, Arkansas State led 6-3.

The teams traded punts to begin the second half, but a missed wide-open man for the Jaguars on their second possession gifted an opportunity to Arkansas State. A 51-yard completion to Rucker helped the Red Wolves get inside the South Alabama 10-yard line, but a dropped touchdown pass for Arkansas State to settle for a field goal.

Trailing 9-3, South Alabama was still looking for an offensive spark. They got exactly that on their next series, with Lopez connecting with a wide-open Jamaal Pritchett for a 75-yard score that put South Alabama on top 10-9.

The Jaguars' defense stepped up on the ensuing possession, sacking Raynor and forcing the Red Wolves to punt from deep inside their own territory.

A clutch stop from Arkansas State's defense gave the Red Wolves a shot in the arm, however. A 10-play, 58-yard drive ensued, capped off by a touchdown pass from Raynor to Tyler Little with 5:58 to play.

South Alabama Responds

However, South Alabama answered in incredible fashion, scoring on a third-and-25 from the Arkansas State 26-yard line to take a 16-15 lead. Jamaal Pritchett somehow caught a fluttering pass from Lopez, giving the Jaguars a late lead.

Raynor and the Arkansas State offense stepped up with their biggest drive of the season, however. The team drove deep into South Alabama territory on a 10 play, 60-yard drive. Faced with the biggest kick of his life, Van Andel delivered, knocking a 34-yard field goal through the uprights to give Arkansas State an 18-16 lead with 10 seconds to play.

The Red Wolves deflected a Hail Mary attempt from the Jaguars on the final play, earning an 18-16 victory.

Turning Point

All the energy was sucked out of Centennial Bank Stadium with 1:49 to play. A miraculous touchdown on third-and-25 had given South Alabama a 16-15 lead, and it was up to a hit-or-miss Arkansas State offense to seal the win.

They did just that, driving 60 yards in 10 plays, setting up a 34-yard field goal from Van Andel that gave Arkansas State the win.

What It Means

The Red Wolves will have plenty of momentum on their side next week as they hit the road to play Texas State on Oct. 12. South Alabama will return home for an Oct. 15 matchup against Troy. The Jaguars are in desperate need of a get-right victory.