Corey Rucker’s first catch of the day, a 12 yard reception for a first down on the opening possession, broke A-State’s career reception yards record long held by Red Wolves legend JD McKissic. A couple plays later, Jaylen Raynor attempted a TD bomb to Adam Jones and saw it intercepted by Old Dominion on their own 8. The next play, unknown ODU quarterback Quinn Henicle – subbing for the missing freshman Colton Joseph – burned the Red Wolves for a 92 yard touchdown run. Not a great start to Senior Day!

On the Red Wolves second possession, Zak Wallace exploded for a 39 yard with a penalty that added ten more yards to play. The next play, Ja’Quez Cross fumbled on the Monarchs’ 21 for the team’s second turnover in two possessions. ODU ran a 13-play, 12-run drive into the end zone for the Monarchs’ second score of the first quarter.

After finally finding a way to stop the Monarchs’ run game, the Red Wolves converted the midfield turnover on downs with a drive that ended on a fourth down, 36 yard touchdown pass from Raynor to Rucker. The Red Wolves would then force a three and out on ODU, and suddenly, Arkansas State was back in business.

However, the Red Wolves offense refused to take advantage of the defense’s hard work, turning in three-and-outs like clockwork. Eventually, Henicle would break off another big run, and the defense would allow the eventual running back touchdown for the Monarchs to claim the 21-7 lead with a bit less than six minutes on the clock.

However, the Red Wolves responded with a TD drive of their own, concluded by a well played 15-yard TD catch to Manny Stevenson. The half ended with ODU leading 21-14, with the Red Wolves having allowed 132 rushing yards to the Monarchs’ mysterious quarterback. Raynor ran into the tunnel with 110 passing yards and a pair of touchdown passes.

ODU opened the second half by returning to their source of power – grinding out ground yards. But the drive ended with a pass to tight end Pat Conroy in the end zone to extend the Monarchs lead, 27-14 (missed PAT). Red Wolves responded with its own TD drive, culminating on its second 4th down conversion from 35 yards out, this time to Courtney Jackson. ODU responded to that score with a 75 yard TD pass to 235-pound Conroy, who snuck behind the defense and out ran the secondary for the score. Score, 33-21, with Old Dominion missing its second PAT.

After the Red Wolves fell an inch short of converting on 4th down at midfield, the Monarchs used three run plays to put the ball back into the end zone, this time with Henicle jogging into the paint untouched. Whatever magic the Red Wolves defense found in the second quarter was gone. Three possessions for ODU resulted in three touchdowns.

The Red Wolves executed a methodical drive into the end zone and converted on the 2-point conversion to narrow the ODU lead 29-40. The Red Wolves would tack on a field goal to get within 8, but the ODU run game ran out the clock with six minutes left. Backup QB Henicle collected 205 yards rushing and two TDs on the Red Wolves defense. Running back Aaron Young added 119 yards and two scores of his own.

“They ran a lot of read option, and we had a hard time taking care of that,” admitted senior linebacker Charles Willekes.

For the Red Wolves, Raynor finished with 260 passing yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Zak Wallace had 89 rushing yards and a touchdown.

In the end, the two turnovers that started the game for the Red Wolves proved the team’s undoing, ending the season for the Red Wolves at 7-5 with one home loss. All victories at Centennial Bank Stadium this year were decided by a single score.

“Hopefully we got one game left to go out the right way,” said Willekes, referencing the yet to be known bowl game.

BUTCH QUOTES:

“I appreciate our seniors. They took a leap of faith when nobody wanted to come here.”

“I give ODU a lot of credit. We knew they were going to challenge us.”

“I think we really missed Nate Martay tonight. We have to work hard to get him ready for the Bowl game.”

“We didn’t play winning football. That’s on me. That’s on the coaches. That’s on the players. But it starts with me.”

PHOTO IS MINE.