Rarely has an Arkansas State loss to Memphis inspired so much cautious optimism. But there are legit reasons for these warm feelings! This time last season, the first quarter was a massive nightmare for Red Wolves fans forced to watch the opposition score without resistance. At Memphis, the A-State defense put up a perfect first quarter zero against the Tigers, an offense well-seasoned after a Week 0 victory over UNLV.
Additionally, new quarterback Trey Owens proved promising behind an offensive line that appears sturdy. True, Owens threw four (4!) interceptions on Saturday, but he also completed a sundry of solid passes for more than 300-yards, establishing a fine rapport with the Hunter Summers/Chauncy Cobb tandem.
Arkansas State lost 42-24, and a loss is a loss no matter how you arrange it on the serving tray. But the offense is capable of moving the chains. The defense can flash moments of brilliance. Let’s ride this fragile wave a bit longer.
Losing Nigel Nelson is Very Not Good
It’s kind of a tradition to lose important players at Memphis. One remembers 2022 when Arkansas State’s starting left tackle, Robert Holmes, was lost for the season after tussling with the Tigers. That season, the depth of the offensive line was grim, and the loss of Holmes was catastrophic.
After a superb breakout 2025, Nelson was seen as a budding star at linebacker. A broken ankle sustained on Saturday likely removes him from the lineup all year long. While the Red Wolves aren’t quite as desperate on linebackers today as they were offensive linemen in 2022, Nelson’s absence was evident in the second half of the Memphis game, when the Tigers spent much of the game exploiting the defense’s soft middle. View this game against West Georgia as a linebacker eval.
West Georgia Seeks Itself
Sometimes, your best weapon when facing an opponent are the unknowns you bring to the gridiron. Saturday marks the very first meeting between the Red Wolves and Wolves, the latter helmed by interim head coach Jayson Martin. Arkansas State will be West Georgia’s second-ever FBS opponent. The Wolves arrives to Jonesboro concealed in a cloak of mystery, starting with their QB situation.
The Wolves began the season in Week Zero with Collin Hurst behind center, where he completed 19 of 30 passes for 124 yards in a 24-10 loss to Chattanooga. The next week against Kennesaw State, Hurst was frequently subbed out for Colton Fitzgerald and Luke Marble. The trio combined for 111 yards and no scores in a bruising 47-0 loss to the Owls.
Unless he is battling injuries, I’d expect to see more Hurst in Jonesboro. Last season, the 5’10” junior put up 2,700 passing yards and 26 touchdowns for Presbyterian. He’ll eventually find the end zone.
Trey Owens Will Hone His Decision Making
Among the few highlights the Wolves recorded over Kennesaw State was an interception by 6’1″ sophomore cornerback Justin Wilson, who may serve as Owens’ baseline test for his passing game. As we mentioned earlier, Owens threw four picks against Memphis, all of which were plucked in Tigers territory. West Georgia will not bring the pressure cooker to Jonesboro, which should afford Owens the game-situation experience required to sharpen his decisions moving forward.
If It’s Good Enough for Nick Saban, It’s Good Enough for Butch Jones
In Tuesday’s presser, head coach Butch Jones addressed grumblings associated with his decision to “take a knee” with 40 seconds left in the first half of the Memphis game. “Why would I put my guys in harms way?” he offered rhetorically, implying that the mere chance of a turnover or injury in the half’s final seconds wasn’t worth the risk. He went on to say that this philosophy of time management was something he learned from Nick Saban.
Why is the final forty seconds if the first half any more risky than forty seconds at any other point of a football game? The truth is, Coach Jones plays a cautious brand of football that sticks with the game plan. I suspect the game plan was to keep the score close at halftime, and in the regard the mission was accomplished.
We Have a Depth Chart
I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw Ethan Crawford and Drew Dickey receive some snaps against West Georgia, if only for the coaching staff to assess capabilities. Also, we’re likely to see tryouts at linebacker.
The Final Analysis
This isn’t a trap game.
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