Troy rebounds but can't hold the lead after a 34-31 loss to Arkansas State

Troy shook off a terrible first half to take a late lead at Arkansas State on Saturday night, but couldn't hold on in the final minutes of a 34-31 loss at Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro.

Zak Wallace's 1-yard touchdown run with 33 seconds left gave the Red Wolves the lead for good, although the Trojans still had one last chance. But instead of attempting a potentially game-winning field goal from the Arkansas State 30 with ten seconds left, Matthew Caldwell threw into the end zone and was blocked by Trevian Thomas.

The loss leaves Troy 1-7 overall and 0-4 in the Sun Belt Conference. After back-to-back Sun Belt titles in 2022 and 2023, the Trojans have posted a losing record in their first season under coach Gerad Parker.

“It hurt so much for our players and staff,” Parker said. “Honestly, I can’t tell you how much it hurt me for her. All my colleagues and the people I care about in this profession ask me, 'How are our players doing? Are they still playing hard?' They prepared so hard and gave so much to get this under control and it showed.”

Troy trailed 23-3 at halftime, but scored three straight touchdowns and went up 24-23 late in the third quarter. Damien Taylor ran for a 1-yard score while Caldwell threw 16-yard passes to Brody Dalton and 1-yard Peyton Higgins.

Arkansas State (5-3, 3-1) took the lead 26-24 on Clune Van Andel's fourth field goal of the game, a 46-yarder with 49 seconds left in the third. That score remained until Troy drove 80 yards and took a 31-26 lead on Gerald Green's 2-yarder with 1:45 to play.

But quarterback Jaylen Raynor took the Red Wolves 75 yards on nine plays in just 1:12 to retake the lead. Raynor connected with Corey Rucker three times for 49 yards on the drive, the last being a 23-yarder to the Troy 9.

The Trojans faced defensive holds and pass interference on consecutive plays, moving the ball to the 1 and setting up Wallace's go-ahead touchdown. Raynor then gave Rucker two points and a three-point lead.

Caldwell completed three passes in a row for the Trojans, the last being a 26-yard throw to a diving Higgins at the Arkansas State 30. Troy called a timeout with ten seconds left, presumably to take a shot in the end zone before taking it A goal attempted on a game-winning field.

Higgins flashed into the end zone, but Thomas stepped in front of Caldwell's pass and knelt after securing the interception. The Red Wolves then fought for victory.

Raynor rushed for 71 yards and passed for 349 for Arkansas State, hitting Rucker 12 times for 193 yards. Wallace scored all three of the Red Wolves' touchdowns, runs of 5 and 3 yards in the first half, in addition to his 1-yard game-winner.

Caldwell went the distance as quarterback for Troy, completing 22 of 33 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns but was intercepted three times. Green ran for 113 and Taylor for 70 – each scoring – while Devonte Ross caught 11 passes for 126 yards.

Troy returns to action next Saturday at home against Coastal Carolina. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium.