The Owls jump out to early lead and never look back vs Arkansas State
The Arkansas State Red Wolves could not overcome a disastrous first quarter against Kennesaw State on Saturday. The team allowed 21 points during the game’s first frame. Despite outscoring the Owls 21-7 the rest of the way, Arkansas State ultimately fell, 28-21.
The Red Wolves started the game with the ball, but were unable to get going on the opening drive. On the defensive side of the ball, last week’s issues persisted early on. After giving up a number of big plays in the loss to No. 14 Iowa State, Arkansas State allowed Kennesaw State quarterback Amari Odom to connect with receiver Gabriel Benyard for a moonshot 54-yard score.
A 54-yard STRIKE from Odom to Benyard has the Owls in front early 💥
📺 @ESPNPlus @kennesawstfb | #NoLimitsOnUs pic.twitter.com/p4nCaug0YS
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) September 20, 2025
Kennesaw decided to end their two-quarterback experiment, and Odom rewarded their trust. He was the player of the game for the Owls, throwing for 308 yards and a touchdown. He was able to do significant damage on the ground as well. He tallied 110 yards on 16 carries, and added a touchdown. He was efficient, decisive, and dangerous.
He also provided a new energy to their offense. His rushing touchdown came with 4:41 to go in the first quarter. After the 14-yard scamper, he found the nearest camera, and danced with a huge smile on his face. Before Arkansas State’s offense even got off the ground, they were in a three touchdown hole.
On the ensuing drive, the Red Wolves finally started moving the ball. On the Kennesaw 35-yard line, a Raynor fumble ended any chance of the offense getting on the board. The Owls drove deep into Arkansas State territory, but the defense stood tall. On a crucial 4th-and-one, Odom’s pass fell incomplete. Had Kennesaw been able to put points on the board, the game might have felt out of reach. The stop provided life for the Red Wolves.
With time expiring in the first half, Arkansas State was finally hitting their stride offensively. Still trying to dig out of a 21-point hole, Butch Jones decided to throw for the end zone instead of kicking a field goal with two seconds left in the half. Jaylen Raynor rewarded his coach, finding Hunter Summers for a 28-yard touchdown. The Red Wolves went into the locker room down 21-7. They had a pulse.
Kennesaw started the second half with the ball and the Arkansas State defense stood tall once again. Just after crossing midfield, Odom put the ball on the ground. Trenton Alan Yowe jumped on the loose ball to give his offense good field position.
On the first play of the Arkansas State drive, Raynor connected with Summers once again for a long gain to set up a goal-to-go situation. Raynor punched it in from the one-yard line, and just like that, the Red Wolves were one score away.
Kennesaw State was ready to respond. Isaac Paul took the kick return out to the Owl 29-yard line, but Arkansas State gave away an extra 15 yards on a Jordan Sample personal foul. Odom and running back Coleman Bennett orchestrated a quick eight-play scoring drive. It culminated in a Bennett touchdown run from 10 yards out. The Owls responded to the Red Wolves’ punch with a haymaker.
Late in the third quarter, Kennesaw was driving once again. With the ball on the Arkansas State 30-yard line, running back Alexander Diggs fumbled. While the Owls did recover, they lost 10 yards on the play. The drive ended in a 13-yard punt. Raynor and the Red Wolves needed to score. Fast.
While they did score, Arkansas State took 16 plays to do it. The Red Wolves faced a 4th down and goal from the Kennesaw six-yard line. Raynor found Kenyon Clay in the end zone to once again draw his team within a score.
Arkansas State would get the ball back three more times with the opportunity to tie it up. They only converted one more first down, which came on a pass interference penalty against the Owls. The Red Wolves’ comeback had fallen short.
Final pic.twitter.com/s5UVuonLgR
— Arkansas State Football (@AStateFB) September 21, 2025
Arkansas State will look to rebound from the 28-21 defeat next weekend against ULM on Saturday. It will be their first game of Sun Belt play. The Red Wolves finished non-conference play with a 1-3 record.
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