On a Thursday night in Jonesboro, it felt like the old Fun Belt where defense was a suggestion and points rained like, uh, rain. By halftime, the Cajuns and Red Wolves combined for three turnovers, a kick return TD (Chauncey Cobb), a defensive lineman TD (Cody Sigler) and a 51 total points. Lunch Winfield, the hefty Cajuns QB with burst, scored two rushing touchdowns, and the Red Wolves offense only maintained possession for 9:53 seconds, yet led 27-24 at the half.

Despite the first half lead, two consecutive turnovers by the Red Wolves (muffed punt return, followed by a running back fumble) nullified an early ten point lead and seemed to sap all momentum from Arkansas State, turning what was looking like a Red Wolves route into a frustrating struggle of red zone failures and missed opportunities.

It was one of those games.

The second half was an exercise in punt trading before the Cajuns, starting on their own 15, munched down the field on a touchdown drive that concluded with a 36 yard run from Bill Davis. It would be the only score of the third quarter, with Red Wolves offensive drives stalling in dispiriting fashion, including a brisk third and out to open the half.

The Red Wolves offense continued to struggle in the fourth, settling for a field goal after having first and 8 at the goal line. When the Red Wolves defense forced the punt, the offense rewarded the effort with a sloppy three and out. With four minutes, seventeen seconds on the clock, the Cajuns had the ball with a four point lead.

Lunch Winfield immediately executed a 40 yard run. And yet, the Red Wolves defense held. With a two minutes and a handful of seconds left, Arkansas State had one last chance to win the game. And for a moment, it looked like it might happen. Two yards from the goal line, and three seconds left on the clock, Red Wolves quarterback Jalen Raynor attempted to run it in himself. He would be stopped just shy of the goal line. Red Wolves 30, Cajuns 34.

The loss removes all chances for a Sun Belt West title for Arkansas State. A bowl game hinges on winning on the road against Appalachian State.

IMAGE: AI Monstrosity