Pinch me I must be dreaming...

Before the game on Saturday, Corey Leonard told the Herald, "Come Saturday it's just us versus them and we'll see who wants it more." Well I guess ARKANSAS STATE wanted it more as they pulled the upset against Texas A&M on Saturday by a score of 18-14.

Leonard threw to Kevin Jones for a 15 yard touchdown to make the score 15-14 with 7:10 left in the 4th quarter. A 37-yard field goal by Josh Arauco and an interception by Ben Owens sealed the upset over the Aggies.

Leonard finished the night 15-28 for 161 and a TD through the air and 86 yards on 18 carries as ASU picked up its first win as the newly appointed Red Wolves.



Reggie Arnold came through in a big way for the Red Wolves with a 145 yards on 21 carries. After giving up two rushing touchdowns in the first half, the defense of Arkansas State stepped up mentally and physically to slow down the rushing attack of Goodson who finished the night with a 122 yards and 2 TDs.

But the player of the game, besides Corey Leonard, goes to Arauco who made four field goals on the night. (37, 28, 25, 37) Last season, Arauco was 4 of 7 from 30-39 yards out with an overall percentage of 65.2 on the year. He has definitely showed a vast improvement over the off season.

Do not call this a fluke. Do not call this a miracle. Arkansas State simply outplayed the Aggies. They had 421 yards compared to A&Ms 301. Aggie quarterback McGee threw two interceptions. Leonard threw NONE. In fact, ASU turned it over only one time on a Leonard fumble. ASU scored 15 unanswered points in the second half to come back from a 14-3 deficit. I don't know what Coach Roberts said in the locker room at half time but it must have had the quality of a "Friday Night Lights" or even a "Waterboy." OK so it probably was little better than "Remember that one time when Bobby Boucher showed up at half time and the Mud Dogs won!" but whatever it was it surely sparked the ASU defense to finish one of the biggest upsets in school history!

Arkansas State definitely did better than other Sun Belt School on opening weekend. LA Lafayette, FAU, FIU, LA Monroe, and North Texas were all blown out by their opponents.

This is the first time that ASU has beaten A&M (1-3) and it could not have come a better time. Maybe the change from Indian to Red Wolves sparked the motivation to make this inaugural season one to remember. Time will only tell. Next week we have Texas Southern so be sure to make the five minute walk to watch your Red Wolves take the field for the first time in the 2008 season.

Stats from www.rivals.com