2021 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team explained
| Year: | 2021 |
| Team: | Arkansas State Red Wolves |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Sun Belt Conference |
| Short Conf: | Sun Belt |
| Division: | West Division |
| Record: | 2–10 |
| Conf Record: | 1–7 |
| Hc Year: | 1st |
| Oc Year: | 3rd |
| Def Coach: | Rob Harley |
| Dc Year: | 1st |
| Stadium: | Centennial Bank Stadium |
The 2021 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team represented Arkansas State University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Red Wolves played their home games at Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and competed in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference.
Prior to the season, Arkansas State hired Butch Jones as head coach after Blake Anderson departed for Utah State.[1] The team announced Rob Harley as their new defensive coordinator shortly after Jones' arrival.[2]
Preseason
Recruiting class
|}Source:[3] [4] [5]
Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released
Preseason
Sources:
[6] [7] [8] Sun Belt coaches poll
The Sun Belt coaches poll was released on July 20, 2021. The Red Wolves were picked to finish second in the West Division and fourth overall in the conference.[9]
West Division| 1 | Louisiana | 49 (9) |
| 2 | Arkansas State | 38 (1) |
| 3 | South Alabama | 27 |
| 4 | Texas State | 25 |
| 5 | Louisiana–Monroe | 11 | |
East Division| T1 | Coastal Carolina | 44 (6) |
| T1 | Appalachian State | 44 (4) |
| 3 | Georgia State | 24 |
| 4 | Georgia Southern | 20 |
| 5 | Troy | 18 | |
Schedule
The 2021 schedule consists of 6 home and 6 away games in the regular season. The Red Wolves will travel to Sun Belt foes Georgia Southern, South Alabama, Louisiana–Monroe, and Georgia State. Arkansas State will play host to Sun Belt foes Coastal Carolina, Louisiana, Appalachian State, and Texas State.
Troy will host two of the four non-conference opponents at Centennial Bank Stadium, Central Arkansas, from NCAA Division I FCS ASUN Conference and Memphis of the American Athletic Conference, and will travel to Washington of the Pac-12 Conference and Tulsa of the American Athletic Conference.
[10] [11] [12]
Game summaries
Central Arkansas
See also: 2021 Central Arkansas Bears football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| ARST –13.5 | 64 | |
| Statistics | Central Arkansas | Arkansas State |
|---|
| First downs | 15 | 25 |
| Total yards | 338 | 513 |
| Rushing yards | 42 | 194 |
| Passing yards | 296 | 319 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 25:58 | 34:02 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Central Arkansas | Passing | Breylin Smith | 23/42, 296 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs |
| Rushing | Darius Hale | 13 carries, 28 yards |
| Receiving | Tyler Hudson | 7 receptions, 118 yards |
| Arkansas State | Passing | | 16/26, 169 yards |
| Rushing | Alan Lamar | 18 carries, 67 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Corey Rucker | 9 receptions, 138 yards, 3 TDs | |
Memphis
See also: 2021 Memphis Tigers football team and Paint Bucket Bowl.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| MEM –5.5 | 65 | |
| Statistics | Memphis | Arkansas State |
|---|
| First downs | 24 | 35 |
| Total yards | 680 | 680 |
| Rushing yards | 263 | 98 |
| Passing yards | 417 | 582 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 24:04 | 35:56 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Memphis | Passing | | 22/33, 417 yards, 5 TDs |
| Rushing | Brandon Thomas | 18 carries, 191 yards, 2 TDs |
| Receiving | | 6 receptions, 239 yards, 3 TDs |
| Arkansas State | Passing | James Blackman | 19/28, 306 yards, 4 TDs |
| Rushing | Lincoln Pare | 6 carries, 36 yards |
| Receiving | Jeff Foreman | 8 receptions, 198 yards, 1 TD | |
At Washington
See also: 2021 Washington Huskies football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| UW –17.5 | 59 | |
| Statistics | Arkansas State | Washington |
|---|
| First downs | 15 | 30 |
| Total yards | 268 | 598 |
| Rushing yards | 48 | 200 |
| Passing yards | 220 | 398 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 25:06 | 34:54 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Arkansas State | Passing | James Blackman | 16/38, 176 yards |
| Rushing | Johnnie Lang Jr. | 6 carries, 18 yards |
| Receiving | Lincoln Pare | 7 receptions, 69 yards |
| Washington | Passing | | 23/39, 367 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs |
| Rushing | Richard Newton | 10 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 10 receptions, 175 yards, 1 TD | |
At Tulsa
See also: 2021 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| TUL –14.5 | 65 | |
| Statistics | Arkansas State | Tulsa |
|---|
| First downs | 20 | 26 |
| Total yards | 359 | 663 |
| Rushing yards | 38 | 308 |
| Passing yards | 321 | 355 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 25:36 | 34:24 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Arkansas State | Passing | James Blackman | 23/37, 321 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Johnnie Lang Jr. | 4 carries, 27 yards |
| Receiving | Corey Rucker | 4 receptions, 115 yards |
| Tulsa | Passing | | 17/25, 355 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Shamari Brooks | 22 carries, 155 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Josh Johnson | 9 receptions, 127 yards | |
At Georgia Southern
See also: 2021 Georgia Southern Eagles football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| GASO –2.0 | 67 | |
| Statistics | Arkansas State | Georgia Southern |
|---|
| First downs | 34 | 20 |
| Total yards | 524 | 540 |
| Rushing yards | 81 | 503 |
| Passing yards | 443 | 37 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 31:04 | 28:56 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Arkansas State | Passing | James Blackman | 28/43, 292 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs |
| Rushing | Lincoln Pare | 7 carries, 54 yards |
| Receiving | Jeff Foreman | 6 receptions, 83 yards |
| Georgia Southern | Passing | Cam Ransom | 2/5, 29 yards |
| Rushing | Logan Wright | 10 carries, 214 yards, 2 TDs |
| Receiving | Khaleb Hood | 2 receptions, 19 yards | |
Coastal Carolina
See also: 2021 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| CCU –20 | 73 | |
| Statistics | Coastal Carolina | Arkansas State |
|---|
| First downs | 23 | 16 |
| Total yards | 685 | 273 |
| Rushing yards | 294 | 18 |
| Passing yards | 391 | 255 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 36:27 | 23:33 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Coastal Carolina | Passing | | 18/23 365 yards, 4 TDs |
| Rushing | Shermari Jones | 10 carries 113 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 8 receptions 232 yards, 4 TDs |
| Arkansas State | Passing | | 13/29 185 yards, 2 TDs |
| Rushing | Lincoln Pare | 6 carries 29 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Te'Vailance Hunt | 6 receptions 138 yards, 1 TD | |
Louisiana
See also: 2021 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| LA –18.0 | 70 | |
| Statistics | Louisiana | Arkansas State |
|---|
| First downs | 26 | 22 |
| Total yards | 546 | 413 |
| Rushing yards | 424 | 113 |
| Passing yards | 122 | 300 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 32:47 | 27:13 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Louisiana | Passing | | 11/20, 122 yards, 1 INT |
| Rushing | | 24 carries, 238 yards, 2 TDs |
| Receiving | Dontae Fleming | 2 receptions, 47 yards |
| Arkansas State | Passing | Layne Hatcher | 16/31, 300 yards, 3 TDs |
| Rushing | Lincoln Pare | 11 carries, 52 yards |
| Receiving | Te'Vailance Hunt | 3 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD | |
At South Alabama
See also: 2021 South Alabama Jaguars football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| USA –9.0 | 66 | |
| Statistics | Arkansas State | South Alabama |
|---|
| First downs | 14 | 23 |
| Total yards | 224 | 421 |
| Rushing yards | 38 | 173 |
| Passing yards | 186 | 248 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 24:19 | 35:41 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Arkansas State | Passing | Layne Hatcher | 19/37, 186 yards, 3 INTs |
| Rushing | Lincoln Pare | 8 carries, 32 yards |
| Receiving | Corey Rucker | 4 receptions, 67 yards |
| South Alabama | Passing | | 29/39, 248 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Terrion Avery | 22 carries, 113 yards |
| Receiving | | 8 receptions, 94 yards, 2 TDs | |
Appalachian State
See also: 2021 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| APP –21.5 | 68 | |
| Statistics | Appalachian State | Arkansas State |
|---|
| First downs | 28 | 13 |
| Total yards | 461 | 199 |
| Rushing yards | 264 | 62 |
| Passing yards | 197 | 137 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 35:33 | 24:27 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Appalachian State | Passing | | 15/26, 163 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Nate Noel | 23 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Thomas Hennigan | 4 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD |
| Arkansas State | Passing | Layne Hatcher | 17/30, 137 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs |
| Rushing | Johnnie Lang Jr. | 6 carries, 43 yards |
| Receiving | Te'Vailance Hunt | 3 receptions, 35 yards | |
At Louisiana–Monroe
See also: 2021 Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| ULM –3.0 | 66.5 | |
| Statistics | Arkansas State | Louisiana–Monroe |
|---|
| First downs | 22 | 18 |
| Total yards | 538 | 372 |
| Rushing yards | 94 | 177 |
| Passing yards | 444 | 195 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 32:23 | 27:37 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Arkansas State | Passing | Layne Hatcher | 34/50, 444 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs |
| Rushing | Lincoln Pare | 22 carries, 73 yards |
| Receiving | Corey Rucker | 7 receptions, 103 yards |
| Louisiana–Monroe | Passing | Rhett Rodriguez | 12/29, 160 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs |
| Rushing | Malik Jackson | 22 carries, 166 yards, 2 TDs |
| Receiving | Boogie Knight | 5 receptions, 76 yards | |
At Georgia State
See also: 2021 Georgia State Panthers football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| GSU –15.5 | 66 | |
| Statistics | Arkansas State | Georgia State |
|---|
| First downs | 16 | 21 |
| Total yards | 270 | 434 |
| Rushing yards | -3 | 282 |
| Passing yards | 273 | 152 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 30:52 | 29:08 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Arkansas State | Passing | Layne Hatcher | 28/48, 273 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs |
| Rushing | Lincoln Pare | 13 carries, 33 yards |
| Receiving | Lincoln Pare | 6 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia State | Passing | | 10/21, 152 yards, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Jaymest Williams | 16 carries, 125 yards, 2 TDs |
| Receiving | | 4 receptions, 103 yards | |
Texas State
See also: 2021 Texas State Bobcats football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| ARST –2.0 | 62.5 | |
| Statistics | Texas State | Arkansas State |
|---|
| First downs | 14 | 25 |
| Total yards | 333 | 471 |
| Rushing yards | 203 | 194 |
| Passing yards | 130 | 277 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 24:51 | 35:09 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Texas State | Passing | Tyler Vitt | 11/25, 121 yds, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Calvin Hill | 13 car, 125 yds, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Trevis Graham Jr. | 4 rec, 67 yds, 1 TD |
| Arkansas State | Passing | Layne Hatcher | 25/37, 277 yds, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Alan Lamar | 12 car, 88 yds |
| Receiving | Corey Rucker | 8 rec, 85 yds, 1 TD | |
Notes and References
- Web site: Butch Jones credits Alabama experience for helping him land Arkansas State head-coaching job. December 12, 2020. May 7, 2021. Chris. Low. ESPN.com. ESPN.
- Web site: Rob Harley. astateredwolves.com. Arkansas State University.
- Web site: College Football Recruiting Classes - ESPN . ESPN.com . 6 July 2021.
- Web site: Arkansas State 2021 Football Commits . 247Sports . 6 July 2021.
- Web site: A-State Football Adds Four to 2021 Recruiting Class . Arkansas State University . 6 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: Hatcher Named to Maxwell Award Watch List . Arkansas State University . 27 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: Murray Named to Doak Walker Award Watch List . Arkansas State University . 27 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: A-State's Hanson on Ray Guy Award Watch List . Arkansas State University . 7 August 2021 . en.
- Web site: Sun Belt Announces Football Preseason Awards & Poll . sunbeltsports.org . 26 July 2021 . en.
- Web site: . Arkansas State Red Wolves Schedule 2021 . . September 27, 2023 .
- Web site: . 2021 Arkansas State Red Wolves Schedule and Results . College Football @ Sports-Reference.com . . September 27, 2023 .
- Web site: . 2021 Football Schedule . Arkansas State University Athletics . September 27, 2023 .
