Oct 42 min read

Arkansas State Hosts South Alabama In Sun Belt Opener

Arkansas State Football — © Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Arkansas State Red Wolves (2-2, 0-0 Sun Belt Conference) will host the South Alabama Jaguars (2-3, 1-0 ) in Centennial Bank Stadium on Oct. 5 in the Red Wolves' 2024 Sun Belt Opener.

Arkansas State is coming off of a bye week and last played on Sept. 21 in a 52-7 loss to No. 16 Iowa State (4-0, 1-0 Big 12 Conference). The Jaguars are coming off a 42-10 loss at the hands of the No. 14 LSU Tigers (4-1, 1-0 Southeastern Conference).

The Stakes

With all non-conference games out of the way, Arkansas State will finish its 2024 season with eight consecutive Sun Belt contests. Kicking off their conference docket with a victory would go a long way to ensuring a successful 2024 campaign.

Meanwhile, the Jaguars are looking for a 2-0 start in SBC play, and an opportunity to bounce back after a rough road loss to LSU. A win in Jonesboro, Ark. would bring the Jaguars' overall record back to an even .500 mark at 3-3.

Key Players: Arkansas State

Quarterback Jaylen Raynor is the undisputed leader of the Red Wolves, and has already accounted for over 900 yards of total offense. His No. 1 target so far has been Corey Rucker, who has hauled in 17 passes for 265 yards and was Arkansas State's hero in their season-opening victory against FCS foe Central Arkansas (4-1).

Arkansas State's defense has been led by its safeties. Justin Parks and Trevian Thomas are among team leaders in tackles for the Red Wolves, with Thomas hauling in 2 interceptions.

Key Players: South Alabama

The Jaguars have a litany of offensive weapons at their disposal, but running back Fluff Bothwell has been particularly exciting to watch. Bothwell is averaging 8. 1 yards per carry on 46 rushing attempts. Quarterback Gio Lopez has already eclipsed 1,000 yards passing, with leading receiver Jamaal Pritchett accruing 395 receiving yards through the first five games of the year.

Linebacker Blayne Myrick has been the undisputed leader of South Alabama's defense racking up 37 tackles, which easily leads the team.

Trends to Watch

While Iowa State and LSU made it difficult for these two typically potent offenses, Arkansas State and South Alabama can explode at any moment. The Jaguars put up a staggering 87 points in their Sept. 12 win over Northwestern State (0-5), while the Red Wolves scored 34 in their season-opening win over Central Arkansas. Look for this game to be tight throughout, with a lot of points going up on the scoreboard.