The loss to Arkansas deflated us. The loss to Iowa State gives us re-reason to believe.

A statistic that stands out from Arkansas State’s 24-16 loss to #12 Iowa State: the Red Wolves had possession for nearly 10 more minutes than the Cyclones, who win games by worshiping the grind and owning the clock. The grind belonged to the Red Wolves on Saturday, and though this ownership didn’t result in a victory, it returned to Arkansas State an ideal: we can compete.

The Iowa State Cyclones darkened Centennial Bank Stadium’s doors the highest ranked program in the BIG 12. Even more concerning, the very same Rocco Becht-led offense thumped Arkansas State 52-7 in Ames last year, limiting Jaylen Raynor, the talented Red Wolves quarterback, to just 68 passing yards and 21 rushing yards. Coming off a 56-14 loss to Arkansas, it was very reasonable to believe that Arkansas State had slender chances for upsetting the Cyclones, even in the oppressive heat and humidity of Jonesboro.

And yet, the Red Wolves had a legit opportunity to win the game in the fourth quarter – most notably early in the fourth quarter, when Raynor found his speedy receiver Chauncy Cobb for a 35-yard reception, placing A-State on the Iowa State seven yard line. A couple plays layer, a run by Rayner put the Red Wolves on the Cyclones two yard line. It seemed inevitable that Arkansas State would seize a 20-17 fourth quarter lead, triggering upset warnings from coast to coast.

A nitpicky 15-yard offensive pass interference call on Jaylen Bonelli pushed the Red Wolves to the 17. The following play, Raynor escaped pressure, darted left, and rumbled into the end zone – only for offensive lineman Will Saxton to be tagged with a punishing holding call that, quiet honestly, did not happen. The powerfully reliable Clune Van Andel nailed the 40 yard field goal, but the “goal line stand” was a win for Iowa State, who would score a touchdown on its next possession.¹

Pondering an imaginary “what if Arkansas State had been allowed to convert that 4th quarter touchdown?” is far more digestible than confronting the reality of the Razorbacks’ merciless crushing of the Red Wolves. If the Arkansas loss left fans deflated and spiritless, the Iowa State loss has fans galvanized by a “what could have been.” I imagine more than a few of us whistled the school fight song on our way back to our air conditioned homes.

Still, a loss is a loss, not matter how morally positive. The Red Wolves defense still allowed a 2-minute drill touchdown to close out the second half. Raynor did overthrow Hunter Summers to execute what amounted to a game-ending interception. But there’s no doubt that this game was among the very best game played by a Butch Jones Red Wolves team, perhaps matched only by the Texas State obliteration of 2023.

Last year, the Red Wolves managed just 182 yards of offense against Iowa State. This year, A-State delivered nearly double: 352 yards, including nearly 100 yards of rushing from Raynor, who seems to have rediscovered his feet. The Red Wolves defense held its own against the Cyclones’ massive tight ends, limiting Benjamin Brahmer to just one catch for 3 yards. The defense also kept Rocco Becht in check, sacking him twice, picking him off once and holding him to just 4 rushing yards. Raynor’s ESPN QB rating was lower than Becht’s (69.7 vs 51.0), but Raynor’s performance was both gritty and tactical, with only the blemish a miscued pick in the desperation minutes.

Moving forward, you have to feel good about the Red Wolves. Next Saturday’s game against Kennesaw State (who opened the season with a charming 10-9 loss to Wake Forest) will test the mental toughness of Arkansas State, who will either arrive to Georgia drained or invigorated. If they take a cue from the fans, it will be the latter.

¹Ironically, the missed touchdown opportunity occurred in the same end zone as the controversial “Raynor to Rucker” catch that buried UCA last season. Clearly, the north end zone is haunted by the surly ghosts of our past.

PHOTO CREDIT: Main photo Justin Manning