Georgia Southern elected to receive to start the game, suggesting that somebody in Statesboro had noted A-State’s first quarter struggles. As scripted, the Red Wolves surrendered an opening drive touchdown – JC French to dangerous wide receiver Camden Brown – his ninth receiving TD of the season. The Red Wolves responded with big plays from Raynor-to-Cobb and Raynor-to-Rucker, only for Raynor to bounce a pass of Cobb in the end zone that ended up in the hands of an Eagle’s defensive lineman.

Georgia Southern would make the Red Wolves pay with a too-easy, 98 yard drive for another score. However, the Red Wolves would make the Eagles counter-pay with a Kenyon Clay touchdown, a 75-yard dive on five nearly uncontested plays. The defenses appeared to have the evening off on dark and rainy night.

Red Wolves defense forced a sudden three and out, and Arkansas State’s offense went to work on the Georgia Southern’s depleted and weary defense, grinding out a field goal from Clune Van Andel to close the score to 10-14.

A-State appeared ready to possibly take the lead midway through the second when a botched snap on a fourth-and-one resulted in a Red Wolves turnover and the Eagles deep in A-State territory. The Eagles would capitalize one a French run-in, pushing the score to 10-21.

Red Wolves rolled up their sleeves, using the half’s last possession to orchestrate a scoring drive from the Eagles’ nine yard line. The halftime score was 21-17 Eagles, with Georgia Southern’s lead a product of two catastrophic plays from the offense (the end zone pick and the 30+ yard botched snap). Devin Spencer ended the half with 88 rushing yards, one of the better first half rushing performances in recent memory. Corey Rucker led A-State receivers with four catches for 63 yards. Arkansas State force three punts to Georgia Southerns’ one.

Beneath a steady dousing of rain, the second half opened with Arkansas State taking possession on the 23. Raynor lead a march down field that resulted in him running it in for the touchdown and the lead, 24-21. The Red Wolves would never look back.

Both defenses forced punts on the next five possessions, dripping into the fourth quarter. Finally, the Red Wolves broke off a sustained drive, fueled by big runs from Spencer and Clay, closing out in Raynor’s third rushing touchdown of the game. The Red Wolves led by 10.

Georgia Southern wasn’t surrendering. A series of quick plays put the Eagles deep in Red Wolves territory. A touchy targeting call on linebacker Kyle Taylor put the Eagles near the goal line. But a heroic goal line stand reduced the damage to a field goal with 1:56 left in the game.

The onside kick was collected safely by A-State, and Kenyon Clay peeled off a 30 yard run, putting him above 100 yards to joining Spencer and placing A-State on the Eagles 19 and reducing the game to clock management. Clune Van Andel popped the 27-yard field goal, and the game was over.

Devin Spencer (124 yards) and Kenyon Clay (123 yards) produced the first 100-yard rushing performance for A-State since Zack Wallace’s burst against ULM last season. Jaylen Raynor rushed for three touchdowns (54 yards) and passed for 216 yards and a pick. On the whole, the Red Wolves were 11/18 on third down attempts. On the other side of the ball, JC French totaled three touchdowns.

Arkansas State is now .500 and 3-1 in conference, a half game behind Southern Miss and Troy. Red Wolves take on Troy next week.

WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT THE WIN

“We had to pound to rock. We knew rain was in the forecast. We knew we had to play a pivital role.” Kenyon Clay, on the run game’s mindset heading into the game.

“We went into this game knowing we’d have to run the ball. It was something we emphasized all week.” – Jaylen Raynor

“It was wet,” explained Jaylen Raynor regarding the disaster-botched snap in the second quarter.

“YEAH! Dirty, slimy and grimy!” Butch Jones, entering the press conference.

“The eight minute swing was really, really big for us,” Jones, referring to the last four minutes of the first half, and the first four minutes of the second.

“I thought we handled the elements well.” – Butch Jones

“We’re playing with three linebackers right now. It’s next guy in.” – Jones, regarding the targeting call on Kyle Taylor.

IMAGE: AI Monstrosity