The similarities between Arkansas State’s road losses to Memphis and TCU are undeniable: first half competitiveness, one-score game entering the third, manic defensive energy, and a fourth quarter fizzle. The evidence points to a team recharged by its young coordinators – DC Griff McCarley and OC Garret Altman. McCarley appears to be overcoming shortcomings in size, speed and depth with malevolent aggression while Altman has actually slowed the pace of the offense, bringing back the huddle and opening new pages in the playbook.

Despite the losses – both by double digits – the prognosis for Arkansas State football in 2026 feels promising. Acclimation is the process. With Altman and starting quarterback Trey Owen settling into their roles, the Red Wolves arrive to this revenge game against Kennesaw State hardened in the crucible of quality competition. The Owls play fast, but so does Memphis. Kennesaw State has talent on the defensive line and linebacker, but so does TCU. These Red Wolves have seen it all.

Still, perfection is a distant point in the horizon. “You gotta play four solid quarters of football,” said head coach Butch Jones. “At the end of the day, we had too many missed assignments.”

On Saturday, TCU followed up a third-quarter goal-line stop with a 99-yard TD drive that firmly positioned momentum onto the Horned Frogs’ sideline. Those are the kind of breakdowns that Coach Jones is hoping to avoid this Saturday against the Owls, who defeated A-State last season by crippling the Red Wolves with a 21-point first quarter. We shall soon see if Arkansas State has learned from the dismal experience.

McCarley Appears to Have Solved the First Quarter Plumbing Issues

After three games, the Red Wolves defense has surrendered seven first quarter points; those points came courtesy of a Horned Frogs touchdown late in the quarter. It’s a remarkable turnaround for McCarley and his unit, which performed so poorly in the first quarter that every opponent who won the game’s opening coin toss chose to recieve the ball immediately.

McCarley seems to have come to the conclusion that the Red Wolves can’t control the line of scrimmage with size and strength. Instead, the success of his defense relies on chaotic energy – applying pressure to the QB so that the secondary can capitalize on mistakes. The technique will result in 99-yard scoring drives, but it also produces turnovers. The Red Wolves have recorded picks in every game thus far in 2026.

The Offense is Finally a Pleasure to Watch

For years, the Red Wolves wanted to be a fast-moving, no-huddle offense that kept opposing defenses on its heels. However, Arkansas State’s offense under then OC Keith Heckendorf could never get the tactic to stick. Instead, the A-State offense became predictable, limited and boring.

Under Altman, the offense seems to have gotten more dynamic, using the huddle to calmly select plays and then executing them with more reliability. Additionally, starting quarterback Trey Owens is steadily become the quarterback Butch Jones covets – a strong-armed manager who takes care of he ball. Owens has reduced his turnovers from four, to one, to zero. “I see tremendous progress” said Coach Jones on Owens.

Kennesaw State is Mysterious in Their Ways

“I have a tremendous respect for Jerry Mack,” said Coach Jones, referring to his Owls counterpart. “They’re tough. They’re physical. They give tremendous effort in all three phases.”

Jones describes the Kennesaw State offense as “basketball on grass” featuring a relentless crescendo of fast-break plays. It was effective against FCS West Georgia, to whom the Owls pounded for 47 unanswered points. However, Kennesaw State was unable to duplicate those results against Georgia State, who didn’t allow the Owls to cross into the end zone until the game’s second half. The Panthers would win that contest 31-17.

The Owls were more or lease overpowered by Tennessee, managing a trio of field goals in an unrevealing 42-9 loss in Knoxville. In both games, Owls quarterback Rickie Collins was the team’s leading passer and rusher. Kennesaw State may need to get more from the rest of its offensive weapons should they want to see a winning record by season’s end.

It Would Appear That You Beat The Owls on the Ground

The Owls surrendered 230 rushing yards and three ground scores to the Panthers, then gave up 268 rush yards and four rushing touchdowns to the Volunteers. Defensive lineman Marcus Patterson and linebacker Baron Hopson were given All CUSA Preseason recognition on defense, but the busiest man on the squad is sophomore linebacker Tywon Christopher with 17 total tackles on the year. Look for Altman to use Arkansas State’s sturdy offensive line to neutralize Christopher.

The question remains, who will be getting the totes on Saturday? Starting running back Kenyon Clay was knocked out of the TCU game in the first quarter, leaving big James Lee and the freshman Solomon Baggett to pace the Red Wolves run game. Neither have the multipurpose ability of Clay, who is said to be practicing, but is also said to be “day-to-day.” Whoever receives the bulk of carries should gobble plenty of yards.

Owl to Defeather: WR Zion Booker

The Owls have yet to find the end zone via the pass, but Booker is by far the quantity receiver for quarterback Rickie Collins. Booker, a 5’10” senior transfer from Tulsa, has 161 yards on 20 receptions – six more receptions than the next two leading Owls receivers combined.

How Arkansas State Gets Their Revenge

There are many differences that separates this Red Wolves team from last year’s team than fell to Kennesaw State. The offense is no longer a runaway trolly car. The quarterback is less of a freelancer. The defense has (for the moment) put a cork in first quarter catastrophes. When the Owls darken Centennial Bank Stadiums doors, they will be greeted by an unfamiliar host.

The Red Wolves will want to control the game through the run. Chauncy Cobb and Hunter Summers will get their receptions, but look for a steady pounding from Arkansas States’ delightfully deep well of running backs. Defensively, the Red Wolves will bend and break occasionally. Accept it. The defense cannot allow one big play to dictate the mood of the game.

The Final Analysis

While this isn’t a conference game, the results of this contest may very well dictate how the Sun Belt West is settled. Kennesaw State may be the Red Wolves’ most important opponent of the season. If A-State cannot beat the Owls in Jonesboro, it isn’t very likely that A-State can win the SBC West. It’s that simple. And I suspect that everyone from the head coach to the water boy understands this truth and will act accordingly.

IMAGE: a composite I created