Troy and Arkansas State have simmering beef. As very longtime members of the Sun Belt, the teams have played on many occasions when the Sun Belt championship was on the line and when the end result affected nothing but pride. Recent history has generated more oxygen for the fire. In 2016, the Red Wolves ruined the Trojans first entry in the AP Top 25 by defeating them at Troy 35-3. The following season, Troy won in Jonesboro on a buzzer beater to knock Arkansas State out of a share for the Sun Belt title. Between the Trojans and Red Wolves, where there is a tit there is a tat.
The teams’ most recent meeting seems to have triggered the current Trojan revival. Last season in Jonesboro, Troy staggered into the locker room at halftime losing 3-20. Troy would score 28 points in the second half, which wasn’t quite enough to win, but more than enough for first year head coach Gerad Parker and his team to recharge their self confidence. Since that loss to A-State, the Trojans are 9-3 and are currently sharing the peak of the Sun Belt West with Southern Miss.
Once again, Saturday’s game between the Red Wolves and Trojans hold conference implications, with Arkansas State just one game behind in the loss column and victorious in seven straight. A-State hasn’t tasted victory in Troy since 2019, when Layne Hatcher threw for 440 yards and four touchdowns on the Trojan defense. Such an offensive burst is unlikely for today’s Red Wolves, but there’s something about this rivalry that delivers the best out of both teams.
Tucker Kilcrease is Hector Reborn
When the awesomely monikered Goose Crowder injured his shoulder against Memphis early in the season, it appeared that Troy was headed for another humbling season. However, as it turns out, back-up quarterback Tucker Kilcrease, the 6’0″ junior who had offers from South Alabama and Southern Miss, was ready to plug into the offense.
After a less-than-reassuring 148-yard pass performance against Buffalo, Kilcrease found his stride where many opposing football players find their stride – against the South Alabama defense. Kilcrease threw for 200 yards and ran for 100 in a victory. Kilcrease (1,223 yards, 9 passing TDs) has proven himself one of the more effective signal callers in the Sun Belt, and he’s been called “a winner” by A-State head football coach Butch Jones.
Red Wolves Played Their Most Complimentary Football of the Season Against Georgia Southern
Despite a first half that produced moments of sloppy football, Arkansas State played its most complete game last Saturday against the Eagles, scoring a touchdown in ever quarter and limiting the impact of Georgia Southern’s run game. Despite the victory and the encouraging play on both sides of the ball, coach Jones remains frustrated by consistency.
“We can’t continue creating those adversities for ourselves,” said Jones, referencing early leads given to opponents. “It don’t get you until it gets you, and it will catch up to us at some point.”
The Red Wolves continue to appear unorganized and unprepared in the first quarter, evident by giving up a first-possession touchdown to Georgia Southern. However, the defense seems to be adjusting quicker since surrendering three first-quarter touchdowns to Kennesaw State, allowing time for the offense to solve their own issues.
Were those offensive issues solved by playing Georgia Southern’s miserable defense? A-State certainly looked capable. The Red Wolves produced two 100+ yard runners on Saturday (Keyon Clay and Devin Spencer) for the first time since 2016 when Warren Wand and Johnston White performed the trick – also against Georgia Southern. Jalen Raynor ran for three touchdowns, and Corey Rucker and Chauncey Cobb combined for over 150 receiving yards. Now that the Red Wolves know they can run the ball, perhaps they actually will run the ball on stouter opponents.
Trojan(s) to Tackle: All Of Them Wide Outs
Kilcrease has a go-to guy in 5’8″ reciever Tray Taylor (346 yards, three touchdowns), but the QB spreads the ball evenly between Taylor, DJ Epps (three touchdowns), RaRa Thomas (three touchdowns), Roman Mothershed (220 yards, one touchdown), and tight end Ethan Connor, a 6’4″ 245 carbon-based tank who has hauled in 18 passes for 245 yards and a score.
Linebackers are Getting Rare in Jonesboro
A dubious targeting call in the second half against Georgia Southern likely means we won’t see starting linebacker Kyle Taylor in the first half against Troy. Taylor’s production will be missed. However, Week 1 starter Terry Kirksey appears ready for a comeback, junior Aaron Alexander is coming off a ten total-tackle day, and freshman Nigel Nelson continues to grow and contribute. Also look to see more from sophomore Jordan Sample, who at 6’2″ 220 can deliver some size along the line.
Call Troy the “Bag Boys” Because They Like to Sack
The Red Wolves offensive line looked like an NFL squad against Georgia Southern, enabling the offense to put up 226 yards while limiting the Eagles to just a pair of sacks. The animal is different in Troy where the Trojans lead the Sun Belt in sacks (23, for a total loss of 138 yards). Credit the efforts of defensive ends Donnie Smith (six sacks) and Jah-Mal Williams (four sacks), a pair of 6’4″ pass rushers who make the lives of opposing quarterbacks a misery.
It should be mentioned that nobody in the Sun Belt allows more sacks than the Trojans, which sounds like good news for Red Wolves like Ethan Hassler, Demarcus Hendricks and Drew Collins.
Availability
Trojan lead running back Tae Meadows may make an appearance after missing the game against Louisiana. Sophomore Jordan Lovett (5’10”, 198) assumed the bulk of Meadows carries, scoring two touchdowns on 113 yards rushing.
For Arkansas State, Cedric Hawkins is a surprise DOUBTFUL, and there appears to be no movement for tight ends Jabari Bush and Tyler Little, leaving Tyler Fortenberry to receive the majority of snaps.
The Threads
The Final Analysis
“It’s a really difficult place to play,” said Butch Jones on Veteran’s Stadium in Troy. The stats bear this assessment out. Jones’ last visit was in 2023, producing a flat 37-3 loss. This will be the Red Wolves’ toughest conference road game all season. Jones is correct in his concern about the slow starts. Troy is the kind of team that feasts on errors and doesn’t let up.
The key for the Red Wolves will be overmatching the Trojan’s offensive line and getting to Kilkrease. He can’t be allowed to comfortably throw to his posse of playmakers. If there is a second key, it is to take advantage of Troy’s 109th ranked rushing defense and continue pushing the Red Wolves run game; protect the ball and control the clock.
MAIN PHOTO: an AI monstrosity
Howlraiser 