Arkansas State Pushes Past ULM, Improves to 7-4

© Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

JONESBORO, Ark. — Arkansas State (7-4, 5-2 Sun Belt Conference), behind quarterback Jaylen Raynor's three touchdown passes and a key interception by Trevian Thomas, held off Louisiana-Monroe (5-6, 3-4 SBC) for a 28-21 victory inside Centennial Bank Stadium on Nov. 23.

A 44-yard TD pass from Raynor to Courtney Jackson put Arkansas State on top with 7:58 remaining. Thomas' INT with 1:59 to play gave the Red Wolves an opportunity to run out the clock.

Raynor threw for 170 yards and three TDs. Jackson hauled in six passes for 69 yards. Corey Rucker and Hunter Summers also had TD catches. Zak Wallace led A-State on the ground with 130 yards and a TD.

ULM was led by quarterback Aidan Armenta (137 yards, one TD, one INT) and running back Ahmad Hardy, who ran for 211 yards and two TDs on 30 carries.

Game Summary

ULM struck first, kicking off the game with a 5-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in a 32-yard TD pass from Armenta to Jake Godfrey.

Arkansas State answered right back as Wallace scored on a two-yard run to tie the game at 7-7.

The defenses stood out for the remainder of the first quarter. The Red Wolves forced a turnover on downs and ULM forced an Arkansas State punt.

However, Raynor and the Red Wolves found the end zone for the second time on their third drive. A 32-yard TD pass to Rucker on third-and-long put Arkansas State up 14-7. Neither team scored for the rest of the half. Arkansas State forced a fumble and stopped the Warhawks on ULM's final two possessions of the second quarter.

The Warhawks came out firing on their first possession of the second half. Hardy's 72-yard rushing TD tied the game at 14-14.

The third quarter turned into a defensive slugfest until Arkansas State put together a long scoring drive in the waning moments of the quarter. Raynor threw a TD pass in the corner of the end zone to Hunter Summers, who contorted his body to make the catch for a 21-14 lead.

ULM answered the bell s a 37-yard pass got the Warhawks down to the 1-yard line. Hardy punched it in, tying the game at 21-21.

With the pressure suddenly on the Red Wolves, Raynor led Arkansas State down the field. After a roughing-the-passer penalty extended the drive, Raynor found Courtney Jackson for a 44-yard score that gave the Red Wolves a 28-21 lead.

Arkansas State's defense stepped up and got a stop on the next possession. But a pair of sacks on the Red Wolves' next series gave the ball back to ULM with 4 minutes to play.

Unfortunately for the Warhawks, Arkansas State landed the final blow. A wild INT by Thomas gave the ball back to Arkansas State, who ran out the clock to earn its seventh win this season.

Turning Point for Arkansas State

While Arkansas State held a 28-21 lead with two minutes to go, ULM had the football and the opportunity to go down and tie the game. But just as he's done twice before in 2024, Thomas picked off Armenta's pass. One first down on Arkansas State's final possession sealed the game.

What It Means

The victory guarantees Arkansas State's first winning season since 2019. It also gives the Red Wolves a chance—if they beat Old Dominion on Nov. 30—to go undefeated at home for the first time since 2013. For ULM, the loss means a win against Louisiana on Nov. 30 is essential in order to reach the six-win threshold needed for bowl eligibility.