Arkansas State defeats South Alabama on a game winning field goal by Clune Van Andel
History repeated itself in Mobile Tuesday night, as Arkansas State defeats South Alabama on a game winning field goal by Clune Van Andel as time expires for the second year in a row, this year winning 15-14 over the Jags. Arkansas State never led in this game until the clock expired, but a win counts all the same, improving their record to 3-4, the Jags falling to 1-6 on the season.
Arkansas State started this game with the ball after South Alabama won the toss, however in what would be a theme for the first half the Red Wolves were able to do nothing with it on their first possession. The two teams traded punts, before South Alabama put a meaningful drive together late in the first quarter. The Jags able to move the ball down the field, scoring on a nine-yard touchdown rush by Kentrel Bullock.
After this, the two teams would again struggle to get much going on offense, with multiple three and outs by both teams. Arkansas State was able to get something going midway through the second quarter, with some help from a South Alabama roughing the passer penalty, and was able to get the ball inside the redzone. South Alabama was able to hold Arkansas State held to a field goal though. Neither team was able to get it past midfield for the rest of the half, South Alabama leading 7-3 at halftime.
The best way to summarize the first half of this game was that there were as many punts as points. South Alabama’s biggest offensive struggle was play calling and penalties, the Jags only throwing nine passes for 56 yards in the first half, yet committing nine penalties for 75 yards. For Arkansas State, it was a rough half for Jaylen Raynor, who only averaged three yards per pass attempt in the first half.
It would be a very similar start in the second half, South Alabama starting with ball, but a holding penalty led to another punt. Arkansas State on the other hand would move the ball well on their first possession in the second half, a long seven minute drive brought the Red Wolves inside the South Alabama ten. However, it would be South Alabama capitalizing, getting their first redzone stop of the year, when they blocked an Arkansas State field goal.
KICK IS BLOCKED!! #LSF | @Es4Smith pic.twitter.com/zJxdGlpMdS
— South Alabama Football 🏈 (@SouthAlabamaFB) October 15, 2025
The offense though again stalled, forced to punt at around midfield. It did not matter though, as on the Red Wolves’ first play from scrimmage following the punt, Jaylen Raynor threw an interception. South Alabama capitalized on this turnover, scoring on a big 27-yard touchdown run by PJ Martin.
PJ REFUSES to go down 💥 @pjallday_2 https://t.co/k30t0cGIaI pic.twitter.com/AM2tnZyggt
— South Alabama Football 🏈 (@SouthAlabamaFB) October 15, 2025
Now down two possessions in the fourth quarter Arkansas State finally got things rolling on offense. The Red Wolves put together a long drive to open the quarter, ending in a field goal to cut the South Alabama lead to eight. Another three and out by the Jags would then be followed by a quick two play touchdown drive for the Red Wolves. Arkansas State would miss the two point conversion needed to tie it up, but the touchdown made it a two point game.
South Alabama on their next possession did their best to run out the clock and did so fairly successfully. The Jags ran the ball on every play, getting into the Arkansas State redzone before another penalty backed them up. The Jags would still be able to attempt a 29-yard field goal, but missed the kick wide right. The Red Wolves with two timeouts remaining would have a shot, and a great drive led by Jaylen Raynor did just that, quickly bringing the Red Wolves into field goal range. Arkansas State would run the ball to set up a 38-yard field goal for the win. Clune Van Andel would drill it, winning the game for the Red Wolves 15-14.
Sooo about what just happened👀 pic.twitter.com/iU1cce8p0d
— Arkansas State Football (@AStateFB) October 15, 2025
It was a game dominated by the defenses overall. South Alabama only totaled 293 yards on the night, rushing for 175 yards, only throwing for 118 yards. Arkansas State had a better day with 368 total yards of offense, 158 rushing yards, 209 passing yards. The biggest issue for both teams was penalties, South Alabama with an astounding 14 penalties, these penalties costing the Jags a total of 175 yards. Arkansas State was not much better totaling 11 penalties for 91 yards.
“It’s unbelievable. There’s no excuse for it. There’s things that happen in games, and that [the penalties] is one thing that continues to happen. It just kills momentum and continuity in your drives. We’ve done a lot of things, changed a lot of things, but it’s not getting fixed, it’s just frustrating,” said South Alabama coach Major Applewhite.
Individually, Kentrel Bullock had the best game on offense for South Alabama, running for 72 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Bishop Davenport threw the ball well, but never really had a chance to push the ball downfield. Davenport completed 18-of-23 passes in the game, but only averaged 6.6 yards per completion for a total of 118 yards. On defense, Nehemiah Chandler caught an interception for the Jags and Blayne Myrick led the team in tackles with 13 total tackles including 3 tackles for loss.
For Arkansas State, they were led by quarterback Jaylen Raynor who was responsible for most of the offensive production. Raynor completed 29-of-45 attempts for 209 yards and a touchdown. Raynor also led the team in rushing with 84 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Corey Rucker would be the Red Wolves receiving leader, with 8 receptions for 58 yards. Kyle Taylor led the team on defense with 14 total tackles.
For South Alabama a tough season got tougher tonight, South Alabama has now lost back to back one possession games and are still in search of their first FBS win. It has been a very disappointing season for a team that had hoped to contend for a Sun Belt title. The talent is there, and can be seen at times, as the Jaguars have not been blown out in any game this year, but continue finding ways to lose games week after week, in large part due to their own mistakes. They will hit the road for another weeknight game on ESPN2, when they take on Georgia State in Atlanta on Thursday, Oct. 23.
It was not a pretty game for the Red Wolves, but a win is a win. Arkansas State improves to 2-1 in conference play and will look to remain in contention for the Sun Belt west division, they return to the field to take on Georgia Southern on Saturday, Oct. 25.
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