Troy, AL – (Contributed) – The Arkansas State football team (5-4, 4-1 SBC) imposed overwhelming defense at Troy (6-3, 4-1 SBC), recording nine sacks en route to a 23-10 victory on Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
A-State recorded the second-most sacks in a single game in program history, falling one shy of the 10 recorded against Southern Illinois in 1989. The Red Wolves limited Troy to 187 yards of total offense, the fewest by an FBS opponent since Memphis (169) on September 10, 2011, and the fewest by a Sun Belt opponent since FIU (186) on September 30, 2006.
Demarcus Hendricks led the defense with two sacks, while Bryan Whitehead recorded a fumble recovery and AG McGhee tallied one interception.
Jaylen Raynor completed 21 passes on 29 attempts for 247 yards and two touchdowns. Hunter Summers led the team with 70 receiving yards and a touchdown reception, while Corey Rucker was not far behind with 64.
A-State is off to a 4-1 start for the first time since 2017 and holds a four-game winning streak in league play for the first time since 2019.
A 51-yard pass from Raynor to Chauncy Cobb highlighted the opening drive for the Red Wolves, setting up the next play at the Trojans’ 13 yard-line. Raynor completed a four-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Fortenberry five plays later, giving the latter his first career touchdown reception at the 9:26 mark of the opening quarter.
On the first play of the ensuing drive, Whitehead recovered a fumble on Troy’s 29 yard-line to set up a three-play drive culminating in a 19-yard touchdown pass to Summers, making the score 14-0.
A three-and-out put the ball back in A-State’s possession with 6:38 left in the first, and momentum remained in the Red Wolves’ favor as Raynor connected with Summers for a 21-yard gain on the first play. Penalties forced 2nd and 24 from the Trojans’ 43 yard-line, but a 27-yard completion to Corey Rucker moved the sticks before Clune Van Andel converted a 30-yard field goal four plays later.
Defense shined throughout the second quarter, as both sides combined for 48 total yards while A-State tallied three sacks. Troy was able to convert a 43-yard field goal with 23 seconds in the first half, cutting the advantage to 17-3 entering intermission.
The Red Wolves marched 61 yards on 13 plays to open the second half, resulting in a 31-yard field goal from Van Andel to extend the lead to 17. The A-State defense picked up two more sacks and held Troy scoreless in the third quarter, but the opposition moved into A-State territory to begin the fourth.
Tucker Kilcrease capped a seven-play, 45-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run and cut the lead to 10, but the Red Wolves closed in on the redzone once again during the ensuing drive. However, a fumble at the Troy 22 yard-line ended the drive.
AG McGhee logged his second career interception with 5:51 remaining in the fourth, returning the ball 23 yards to the Trojans 40 yard-line. A-State ran two minutes off the clock before Van Andel converted his third field goal of the evening from 53 yards to make the score 23-10.
Troy reached midfield before back-to-back sacks for Whitehead and Cody Sigler set up a 4th and 22 that would not be converted as A-State secured a fourth consecutive victory.
NEXT UP
A-State returns to Jonesboro for a showdown with Southern Miss (6-2, 4-1 SBC) on Saturday, Nov. 8. Kickoff from Centennial Bank Stadium is scheduled for 11 a.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPNU.
It will be the first 11 a.m. kick in program history, and fans can purchase bench tickets for $11 by clicking here.
