The Red Wolves opened the game by allowing the Warhawks to march into the end zone for seventy five yards on just five plays, the last a 26 yard toss to 5’8″ sophomore wide receiver Jake Godfrey.

“They’ve generated explosive plays all year,” said head coach Butch Jones. The Red Wolves responded with their own touchdown drive, with Zak Wallace finishing off the campaign with a one-run TD drive. “What you’re witnessing is a football team that has learned how to win,” said Jones.

Then the defenses clamped down. The Warhawks offensive plan appeared to be Ahmad Hardy, but even the dynamic freshman couldn’t gain all the yards (though he’d certainly try). The Red Wolves defense clapped down, and Arkansas State took the 14-7 lead on a Jaylen Raynor 15 yard touchdown pass to Corey Rucker. A responding drive from the Warhawks ended with Hardy coughing up a red zone fumble. The Red Wolves made ULM pay with a 57 yard run from Zak Wallace that put A-State 35, only to get nicked the next play on a personal foul from offensive lineman Elijah Zolicoffer to make it 2nd and 25. What could have been a 2-score game for A-State resulted in a punt. Both teams seemed to be their worst enemies.

Red Wolves opened the second half with an uninspired possession that led to a quick punt. A couple minutes later, Hardy ran in the tying touchdown from 72 yards.

“I have a lot of respect for him as a player,” said Jones when asked about Hardy. “We challenged our guys. We need to wrap, and he’s been bouncing guys off of him all season.”

Arkansas State went back to work, executing a 14 play, 69 yard drive that ended with Raynor finding Hunter Summers in the corner of the end zone to retake the lead.

But once again, the Red Wolves had trouble getting out of their own way, with Tim Hardiman absorbing a defensive holding penalty to extend the Warhawks drive and ultimately leading to a ULM touchdown to re-tie the score. A-State retook the lead on a 44-yard bomb from Raynor to Courtney Jackson.

With 28 points banked, the Red Wolves appeared in good shape, as ULM hadn’t scored more than 23 since Week 2. A Travion Thomas interception late in the fourth quarter iced the win, and Zak Wallace finished the game with 130 yards and a score. Courtney Jackson led all receivers with 69 yards and a touchdown, while ULM’s Hardy clocked 204 yards and two scores.

“We’re finding ways to win football games,” said head coach Butch Jones. “Sometimes we are making it more challenging then it has to be.”

Arkansas State sits at 7-4 with the last game of the season next week in Jonesboro against Old Dominion. ULM must win its game against Louisiana next week to gain bowl eligibility. Meanwhile, the Red Wolves are 5-0 on the season at home.

“We take pride in protecting our home turf,” said Thomas, who added two turnovers to his resume.

PHOTO: mine