If felt like we were back to Year Zero of the Butch Jones Era. The Golden Hurricane sauntered into the visitor’s locker room with a 17-7 lead, thanks in part to five penalties that cost the Red Wolves 42 yards, a couple botched snaps, and a huge lapse of judgement from Courtney Jackson who allowed a Tulsa punt to bounce off his bottom, return possession back to the visitors who madev Arkansas State pay with a touchdown score.
It was sloppy, uninspired, undisciplined football that had at least one fan (me) wondering if this team had made any improvements in the last four years. If this surly worm of doubt wriggled inside the heads of those Red Wolves actually occupying the gridiron, it did not show, as Arkansas State re-emerged from the tunnel at halftime pulsating with renewed vigor! After forcing a 3-and-out from the Golden Hurricane, the Red Wolves poured on 21 points in the third quarter to deliver an eventual 28-24 victory.
The Jekyll and Hyde nature of the team has proven both exasperating and refreshing. “I think we have some very good leaders,” said Coach Jones in regard to the team’s ability to rebound from tough situations. “I think out players understand the standard. We’re learning how to win. It’s the building of a program and it takes time. We haven’t played our best football yet.”
The scoring included a redemption 77-yard punt return TD from Jackson, negating the costly punt return error he made earlier. “That’s something that can’t happen,” said Jackson. “But I knew I’d get a chance to make up for it later in the game, whether as a receiver or a returner.”
Jaylon Raynor executed 250 yards passing, throwing two touchdowns and running for one, showing more touch and accuracy than he did against UCA in Week 1. “I was comfortable just playing the game instead of overthinking,” explained Raynor. But the key might have been the bruising running of Zac Wallace, who ground out 78 yards on 16 carries to keep the chains and the clock moving. Also valuable, Reagan Ealy’s 68 receiving yards, with each catch seeming to extend a possession.
Additionally, the A-State defense tightened up during the second half, forcing four three-and-outs and receiving a team-leading 13 tackles from linebacker Justin Parks. The trenches, which looked overmatched in the first half, stiffened in the second. “I thought Bryan (Whitehead) really stepped up and helped us win the game,” said Coach Jones.
However, no play may have proved more valuable than with less than 2 minutes to play, former Red Wolves linebacker and current Tulsa tackler Gavin Potter committed an egregious roughing the passer penalty on a play that would have forced the Red Wolves to punt and possibly positioned the Golden Hurricane to win the game. With help of the penalty, Arkansas State wound down the clock and came away with the four point win. “Thank you, Gavin,” said Raynor, tongue in cheek, after the game.
“Gavin is a competitor,” said Coach Jones.
This is the first time the Red Wolves have enjoyed a 2-0 start to the season since 2008. Arkansas State visits Michigan on Saturday for Week 3. “There’s a lot of improvements that must occur
PHOTO: Me and A-State Athletics
Howlraiser 