Countdown to Kickoff: Bobcats battle Red Wolves
The Countdown to Kickoff series is back following the Texas State Bobcats trek through the 2023 schedule.
This week will look at the Bobcats final road game of the season, as Texas State travels to Jonesboro, Arkansas, to take on the Arkansas Red Wolves.
In their last meeting, the Bobcats battled the Red Wolves in the cold, as kicker Seth Keller booted three field goals in Texas State’s 16-13 win over Arkansas State.
Keller kicked his third and final field goal with two seconds left in the game, following a 56yard drive by then starting quarterback Layne Hatcher.
Arkansas State finished the season with a 3-9 overall record, with wins over Grambling State, Louisiana Monroe and Massachusetts, and failed to make a bowl for the third year in a row.
The Red Wolves enter the 2023 season with the hope of returning to their winning ways under Head Coach Butch Jones.
Bill Connelly’s SP+ Rating System has Arkansas State with a overall SP+ rating of -14.6.
The Red Wolf offense comes in at a 20.2 while the defense comes in at a 34.9.
One of the main concerns for the Red Wolves will be the offense, which saw several key starters leave, including quarterback James Blackman.
On defense, Arkansas State will be led by linebacker Melique Straker and safety Eddie Smith.
The history between the Bobcats and the Red Wolves began when Texas State officially joined the Sun Belt in 2013.
Similar to their series with Louisiana and Louisiana Monroe, Texas State and Arkansas State have played 10 consecutive times with the Red Wolves, leading the series at 6-4.
However, the Bobcats have flipped the script on the Red Wolves in recent years with Texas State currently on a three-game winning streak against Arkansas State, starting in 2020.
In the 2020 game, quarterback Brady McBride had 443 yards, second most in Texas State history, and five touchdowns, while Calvin Hill scored the game-winning touchdown with only 34 seconds left in the game, to seal the 47-45 win.
The game remains the highest scoring contest with 92 points combined from both teams.
Though Texas State can claim bragging rights over their border rivals, the three games have also been three points or less.
The rivalry between the two teams extended off the field in the summer of 2022, when Texas State hired then Arkansas State Chancellor Kelly Damphousse to become the new president of the university, following the retirement of Denise Trauth.
Texas State also added both Layne Hatcher and Lincoln Pare to the football roster last year, after the duo transferred from Arkansas State.
With the Bobcats potentially flirting with a bowl bid this fall, Texas State must finish the deal against their rivals, Arkansas State.
Kickoff for Texas State vs Arkansas will be Nov. 18 at Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Kickoff time has yet to be determined.
coltonbmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
