JONESBORO, Ark. — An FBS team in Arkansas will go to a bowl game this year.
On Saturday, Arkansas State defeated Texas State 77-31, improving to 6-5 overall and securing a bowl bid for the first time since 2019.
The Red Wolves' victory at Centennial Bank Stadium was an impressive one, taking down a Texas State team that entered the game with the top offense in the Sun Belt Conference.
Arkansas State tied things up in the first quarter with a running back Zak Wallace 41-yard touchdown run. The Red Wolves then extended their lead in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter when Wallace, a Benton native, punched in a short run to push Arkansas State's lead to four points.
In the second quarter, running back Ja'Quez Cross took off with three consecutive touchdowns on the ground. The Hampton native finished with 139 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries.
The Red Wolves defense and special teams showed out as well.
In the second half, safety Trevian Thomas picked up a fumble and took it to the house for a 91-yard touchdown, which gave Arkansas State 56-17.
He also had a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to put the Red Wolves up 63-24.
Meanwhile, in the fourth quarter, linebacker Dane Motley added a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown to give Arkansas State a 77-31.
The 77 points were the most by the Red Wolves against an FBS opponent in program history.
Arkansas State will wrap up the regular season against Marshall on Nov. 25. Coverage from Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, W. Va., begins at 2:30 p.m. Central on ESPN+.