Though Arkansas State holds a 7-5 edge in the all-time series, the Red Wolves have struggled to solve the Bobcats under Jones
Texas State and Arkansas State are set to face off with both programs heading in opposite directions as Sun Belt play begins in earnest.
The Bobcats (3-1) have been trending upward since hiring G.J. Kinne following the 2022 season. Meanwhile, the Red Wolves (1-4, 0-1 SBC) has regressed under fifth-year head coach Butch Jones after making back-to-back bowl appearance the last two seasons.
Though Arkansas State holds a 7-5 edge in the all-time series, the Red Wolves have struggled to solve the Bobcats under Jones. Texas State has won three of the last four meetings — four out of the last five if you include their narrow 47-45 loss in 2020, before Jones took over.
This matchup could also mark the final regular-season meeting between the two programs for the foreseeable future. Unless changes are made to future nonconference schedules, the two teams are not set to play again until at least 2029 — barring a bowl game pairing.
Texas State
The Bobcats used the bye week to heal from lingering injuries–and to address an unfortunate trend. Since joining the Sun Belt in 2013, Texas State is just 2-12 in games following a regular-season bye week. They have lost three straight in that situation, with their last win coming in a four-overtime thriller against South Alabama on Oct. 9, 2021.
Bye week business 💼#EatEmUp pic.twitter.com/4IlJvfkm0k
— Texas State Football (@TXSTATEFOOTBALL) September 27, 2025
This season, unlike the last two seasons, the Bobcats entered their bye a bit banged up. Kinne acknowledged the difference during Monday’s “Eat ‘Em Up Radio Show with GJ Kinne.”
“Obviously, I think the health part of it is probably the biggest difference,” Kinne said. “We aren’t as healthy as I would like but this bye week helped that.”
If Texas State is going to contend for a Sun Belt title in its final season in the league, discipline will be key–something Kinne said starts at quarterback.
“I think it starts with the quarterback and Brad’s [Jackson] super disciplined on and off the field,” Kinne said. “That shows on game day and he allows you to have those long drives and sustained drives because of decision making and because of his leg.”
Arkansas State
For just the eighth time since becoming a founding member of the Sun Belt Football Conference in 2001, Arkansas State will enter its second conference matchup coming off a league loss. Jones is 1-1 in such games, having lost to No. 15 Coastal Carolina in 2021 before bouncing back to beat ULM in 2022. Overall, the Red Wolves is 5-2 in games following an 0-1 start to conference play.
The Red Wolves’ most recent loss- a 28-16 defeat at the hands of ULM last Saturday–was a bitter one. It marked the Warhawks’ first win in the series since 2009 and snapped Arkansas State’s 15-game win streak against them.
Arkansas State started strong defensively, highlighted by Brandon Greil’s 32-yard interception returned for a touchdown. The Red Wolves held ULM to just 12 rushing yards in the first quarter. But the Warhawks adjusted offensively and held Arkansas State to just two field goals the rest of the way.
During the weekly media availability, Jones emphasized the missed opportunities.
“We had many one-dimensional moments,” Jones said. “I think a lot of it is critical down execution. We took sacks on first and 10, second and six in the red [zone]. You can’t do that against good football teams. They’ll make you pay for it and they made us pay for it.”
Jones added that the team needs to continue learning and improving as Sun Belt play progresses.
Nicholls at Texas State
Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 4 at 4:00 p.m. EST
TV: ESPNU
Radio: KTSW 89.9 (Texas State) & KFIN 107.9 (Arkansas State)
Click here for information on tickets. Texas State fans can email the ticket office at gametickets@txstate.edu with any additional questions.
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