Immediately following the 28-18 road-loss to the defending national champions, there was the usual litany of negativity from the usual litany of social media-powered fans. Not all of their gripes can be dismissed. Should Butch Jones have gone for it on 4th and 1 on the opening drive, with the Red Wolves entrenched in the Wolverines’ red zone? Absolutely. Jones was thirsty for what should have been a guaranteed lead to start the game – the first of two Clune Van Andel doinks off the upright only deepened fan dismay.

There was more criticism: too many runs up the middle, too much tepid play calling in the red zone, too much of whatever irks fans about Butch Jones. Lost in the grousing (over a game most of the grousers had dismissed as “un-winnable” well before kick-off) was brilliant football played by a program undaunted by the massive crowd or the number next to the name of their blue-blooded opponent.

Though the opening drive ended with a dispiriting doink, Jaylen Raynor (19/33 for 140 yards) was impressive against Michigan’s vaunted defense, converting on third down twice and methodically eating up yards, the longest play a 16-yard throw to Courtney Jackson (5 catches for 41 yards).

The Red Wolves defense, which did give up 300 yards on the ground, picked off Michigan quarterback Davis Warren three times.

The Red Wolves, projected to lose by 22 at #17 Michigan during Wolverine homecoming, ultimately lost by 10, with back-up QB Timmy McClain, freshman running back Devin Spencer, and transfer wide receiver Reginald Harden picking up 15 points in the fourth quarter.

The Red Wolves outscored the Wolverines in the second half 15-7 and forced its starting QB to the bench.

The Red Wolves defense outsacked Michigan 2-1, and out-TFLed Michigan 3-4. It created three turnovers to the Wolverines’ two.

Red Wolves fans saw Devin Spencer deliver bruising runs up the middle. Reginald Harden, who seemed to be in Butch Jones’ doghouse after the UCA game, caught his first two touchdown passes as a Red Wolf. We got to see a little of Malik Hornsby’s speed, and even a touch of Mike Sharpe. We saw a good five minutes of Timmy McClain shrugging off tackles and completing passes.

The game was not played without a price. The Red Wolves lost speedy running back Cedric Hawkins for the year with a leg injury. Reagan Ealy, Corey Rucker, Blayne Toll and Nate Martey were seen in various stages of ding.

It’s true, McClain played well against the 2s and 3s of Michigan, but there’s no QB controversy in Jonesboro. Raynor is the man. Meanwhile, Van Andel has missed three of his last four field goal attempts, which could simply be attributed to Van Andel’s youth – he’s a sophomore. The Big House is a big, intimidating stage. We’ll see if Jones cuts him some slack or gives junior Aidan Ellison a shot in Ames on Saturday.

The Red Wolves lost the game, and that’s the ultimate statistic. There’s no prettying up that pig. But the game was also a very far cry from last year’s 73-0 disaster to Oklahoma. The improvement is evident, and one day soon, that run up the middle is going to yield a touchdown.

IMAGE: mine and Spencer Kelly, Arkansas State Athletics