JONESBORO, Ark. (Interstat) — Arkansas State scored on offense, defense and special teams and defeated visiting West Georgia 52-7 on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, in an NCAA Football Bowl Division game at Centennial Bank Stadium. The Red Wolves improved to 1-1, while the Wolves dropped to 0-3. Arkansas State controlled the game from the opening quarter, built a large lead and never let West Georgia mount a comeback. The Wolves scored their only points on a late first-half touchdown pass, but the Red Wolves answered with a steady mix of passing, rushing and defensive scoring. The game was played at Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro, Ark., where Arkansas State’s home crowd saw the Red Wolves earn their first win of the season.

Trey Owens, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound quarterback from Houston, Texas, directed Arkansas State’s passing game. Owens connected with C. Cobb on a short pass to the right that turned into a 28-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Later in the second quarter, Owens found J. Bonelli on a deep pass to the right for a 30-yard touchdown. C. Van Andel made both extra-point attempts, part of a steady kicking performance that helped the Red Wolves maintain control. Arkansas State’s offense mixed quick throws, deep shots and a productive rushing attack, keeping West Georgia’s defense off balance throughout the afternoon.

West Georgia’s brightest moment came before halftime. Colton Fitzgerald, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound quarterback from Santa Clara, Calif., completed a short middle pass to T.J. Lockley, who caught the ball near the Arkansas State 18 and took it 37 yards for a touchdown with five seconds remaining before halftime. Logan Lopez kicked the extra point, giving the Wolves their only points of the game. Lockley, a 6-foot, 192-pound wide receiver from Daytona Beach, Fla., was one of several West Georgia receivers listed among the team’s key performers. The Wolves also looked to Aidan Sefa, a 6-foot-5, 217-pound tight end from Valdosta, Ga., Josh Schuchts, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound receiver from Tallahassee, Fla., Jamarcus Prince, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound receiver from Tuscaloosa, Ala., Malik Leverett, a 6-foot-3, 189-pound receiver from Evans, Ga., and BJ Atkins, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound receiver from Greenville, S.C. DK Daniel, a 5-foot-10, 177-pound receiver from Rome, Ga., also was among the offensive options.

Arkansas State’s defense delivered a decisive play in the third quarter. Fitzgerald’s pass was intercepted by F. Hamilton at the Arkansas State 9-yard line, and Hamilton returned it 91 yards for a touchdown. Van Andel’s extra point followed, extending the Red Wolves’ advantage. The turnover was the kind of swing play that defined the game, as West Georgia’s best chances to build momentum were met by quick Arkansas State responses. The Red Wolves’ defensive front and secondary kept pressure on the Wolves, while Arkansas State’s offense continued to capitalize on short fields and efficient possessions.

The Red Wolves kept scoring on the ground. K. Clay rushed right for a 5-yard touchdown in the third quarter, and Van Andel added a 25-yard field goal later in the period. In the fourth quarter, D. Dickey rushed up the middle for a 4-yard touchdown, and S. Baggett broke free for a 33-yard touchdown run to the right. Van Andel converted the extra points after each touchdown. Arkansas State’s running game complemented Owens and the passing attack, giving the Red Wolves a balanced scoring effort that West Georgia could not match. The Wolves’ defense, which included Malik Lewis, Jamie Speight, Caleb Reid, Jaleel Chambliss, Dalton Epps, Holton Harris, Nakobi Spurrier, Ty Brewer, Myti Johnson, Tariq Hollinger, Elijah Barnes, Darien Harden, Dorian Gibson, Andrew Ruffin, Lucas Naquin, Sean Ferguson and Isaac Nyenabo, faced a steady stream of Arkansas State drives.

West Georgia also used multiple quarterbacks and skill players. Collin Hurst, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound quarterback from Davie, Fla., was listed among the Wolves’ key performers. The offense included running backs Naeem Odeniyi, a 5-foot-8, 175-pound back from Atlanta, Ga., and Justin Montgomery, a 5-foot-10, 195-pound back from Davie, Fla., along with Chance Washington and Shammai Gates. Chidu Bekee, Stephan French, Jaden Henry, Colby Dixon, Jabari Staples, Brody Jones and Christian Monfort were also listed among West Georgia’s key contributors. Nolan Harris, a 6-foot, 205-pound kicker from Greensboro, Ga., handled kicking duties, while Logan Lopez also kicked. The Wolves’ defensive list included Semaj Fluellyn and the other defenders who tried to slow Arkansas State’s attack.

Arkansas State’s key performers included Dallas Boozer, Ryan Reese, Joshua Ofor, Elias Sherman, Robert Stevens, Joe Drew, Noah Flores and Brandon Greil. Reese, a 6-foot-2, 249-pound tackle from Birmingham, Ala., was part of the Red Wolves’ offensive front. Sherman, a 6-foot-1, 290-pound defensive lineman from Tulsa, Okla., helped anchor the defensive line. Stevens, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker from Washington, D.C., and Drew, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound safety from Blackshear, Ga., were among the defensive leaders. Flores, a 5-foot-9, 180-pound cornerback from Sandy, Utah, and Greil, a 5-foot-11, 167-pound safety from Little Rock, Ark., also were listed among Arkansas State’s key performers. Their efforts helped limit West Georgia to a single touchdown.

The result continued contrasting starts to the season. West Georgia fell to 0-3 after previous losses to Kennesaw State and Chattanooga. The Wolves were shut out at Kennesaw State on Sept. 3, falling 47-0, and lost at home to Chattanooga 24-10 on Aug. 27. Arkansas State moved to 1-1 after a 42-24 loss at Memphis on Sept. 5. The Red Wolves will next travel to Texas Christian on Saturday, Sept. 19. West Georgia will next play at East Tennessee State on Saturday, Sept. 19. West Georgia then hosts Fort Valley State on Sept. 26, visits Eastern Kentucky on Oct. 10, hosts Austin Peay on Oct. 17, hosts Tarleton State on Oct. 24, visits Abilene Christian on Oct. 31, visits Central Arkansas on Nov. 7, hosts North Alabama on Nov. 14 and hosts West Florida on Nov. 21. Arkansas State will host Kennesaw State on Sept. 26, visit Louisiana on Oct. 3, host South Alabama on Oct. 8, visit Southern Mississippi on Oct. 17, host Georgia State on Oct. 24, host Louisiana-Monroe on Nov. 7, visit Coastal Carolina on Nov. 14, visit Louisiana Tech on Nov. 21 and host Troy on Nov. 28.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Arkansas State 35, West Georgia 24. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Arkansas State with an 85.9 percent probability to win.