At the conclusion of Arkansas State’s eighth game, a gritty 38-32 homecoming victory over a much-improved Georgia State team, starting A-State quarterback Trey Owens was basking in the glow of a 21-of-32 passing performance, racking up for 309 yards. The lanky and mustachioed signal caller also rushed for 36 yards and two scores. Tying the scarlet bow on top; not a single turnover to smudge the record. It was a performance that would garner the first-year Red Wolf the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week honors.
It was an offensive burst for an offense that had lacked burst in six of its seven previous matchups. But against Georgia State’s stingy defense, the Red Wolves put up a total of 469 total yards, 160 on the ground led by Kenyon Clay, who seemed to grow stronger as the game progressed. Making Owens’ 309 yard day more impressive was that it did not include the services of Hunter Summers, the team’s leading pass catcher, who is currently embroiled in a messy legal issue. Nana Burris and Jaylin Bonelli more than negated the absence by notching 100-yard, one-score games.
Owens’ best game of the season triggered a first for Arkansas State this year – a victory in which the offense reduced the stress on the defense, a unit of scrappy over-achievers prone to making big mistakes (but also big plays as well). For the first time, Red Wolves fans saw an offense that could take control of a contest, highlight by monster bombs to an A-State receiving corpse that is proving deeper than once believed. Owens, whose runs are often accompanied by a surprise stiff-arm, appeared to have found his identity – and the team’s – at Arkansas State.
The Bye, Late as it Is, Comes at a Perfect Time
The Red Wolves started the season with eight straight weeks of football, a grueling gauntlet that could have drained the team with a pile-up of injuries. In this regard, A-State has had good fortune. Aside from losing linebacker Nigel Nelson at season’s start and seeing RB Kenyon Clay sidelined for a few games, the Red Wolves have largely avoided a rash of impact injuries.
That makes this week’s bye one of recuperation rather than rehabilitation. It is even more convenient that a home game follows a bye, and that the contest happens to be against last place ULM (though the Warhawks did defeat A-State last season and did recently upset defending SBC champion Troy). One should expect to see a recharged Red Wolves team in Jonesboro on November 7.
Did Somebody Say “Nigel Nelson?”
Nelson was the breakout star for the A-State defense last season, and the 5’11” 216 lb, 2nd-year linebacker was expected to lead a linebacker squad that was short on experience. Unfortunately, Nelson suffered what appeared to be a catastrophic injury in Week 1 versus Memphis. “Unfortunately he broke his ankle,” said Butch Jones postgame. “It’s devastating to our linebacker corps.” It was thought that Nelson was lost for the season.
However, Coach Jones revealed this week that Nigel Nelson may be available for the post-bye game against ULM on November 7. Nelson was never listed as “Out for the Season” on the SBC Availability Report, indicating that hope was held for Nelson’s return. Should Nelson make it back to the gridiron, he represents an instant upgrade to a linebacker room that has over-performed but could significantly benefit from Nelson’s considerable skillset.
Did Arkansas State End the Panther’s Storybook Storyline?
Entering Jonesboro, Georgia State was 4-2 and seemed positioned for a program-defining run. True, the Panthers had just been bested by James Madison in a blunt and dispiriting manner, but Dell McGee and his bunch were certainly playing on a higher plane unseen in Atlanta.
Losing to Arkansas State is nothing new for Georgia State – the Red Wolves have won eight of ten meetings. But anyone expecting Georgia State to compete in the quality-heavy SBC East probably readjusted their sights following the Panthers’ defensive surrender to Arkansas State. The Panthers can still salvage a great season, but all talk of a Sun Belt East run has likely been corked.
The Red Wolves Two Game Win Streak is Just North of Modest
The Panthers may not be SBC East royalty any time soon, but adding them to the Red Wolves’ win column is a fine feather. Georgia State is the Red Wolves’ first win over an FBS opponent with a winning record.
Additionally, the A-State win over Southern Miss was a key road victory even if the quality of the opponent was low – and it looks better after the Golden Eagles’ upset of the Ragin’ Cajuns. After ULM, the remainder of the schedule increases its degree of difficulty, but the Red Wolves are trending towards positive momentum at the right time.
Nobody Speaks the Name of the Boogeyman (Louisiana Tech)
Very, very quietly, the Bulldogs are 3-0 in the West having deepened ODU’s dismay on Saturday. LaTech brings to bear a solid-enough offense led by QB Blake Baker. But it’s the 36th ranked defense that is proving difficult to overcome. The Bulldogs are entering a pivotal contest with South Alabama having just goose-egged two consecutive opponents. Is this early bluster for newbie Louisiana Tech? Or are the Bulldogs silently sashaying into the championship game?
Week 8 Upsets Keep the Sun Belt Interesting
Week 8 delivered all the upsets necessary to keep divisional races competitive: Appalachian State knocked off James Madison, ULM humiliated Troy, Southern Miss kneecapped Louisiana and Marshall upended South Alabama to create enough space for teams to make a move forward.
I Tried to Tell You About Troy
At season’s start, it was generally accepted that Troy was the team to defeat in the Sun Belt West, except I ranked them fourth, a decision that sparked some ridicule. But here’s the thing: Troy wasn’t very good last year. The Trojans parlayed a late-season win streak into a championship, which is great. But Troy lost talent over the off season. “But Goose Crowder is BACK!” was the response. The Trojan offense wasn’t terrific with Crowder in 2025, and it’s not terrific with Crowder in 2026. Next year, listen to old Howlraiser.
Except when he picks James Madison to finish fourth and Old Dominion to win the conference. That was just crazy talk.
PHOTO CREDIT: Carla Wehmeyer provided the main shot