Troy rallies, but can’t hold on to late lead in 34-31 loss at Arkansas State

Troy overcame 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 put the Red Wolves ahead for good, although the Trojans had one last chance. But instead of attempting a potentially game-tying field goal from the Arkansas State 30-yard line with 10 seconds left, Matthew Caldwell threw into the end zone and was intercepted by Trevian Thomas.

The loss drops Troy to 1-7 overall, 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.

Troy trailed 23-3 at halftime, but scored three consecutive touchdowns to take a 24-23 lead at the end of the third quarter. Damien Taylor ran for a 1-yard score, while Caldwell threw 16-yard touchdown passes to Brody Dalton and 1-yard Peyton Higgins.

Arkansas State (5-3, 3-1) took the lead again 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 stood until Troy drove 80 yards to take a 31-26 lead on a 2-yarder by Gerald Green with 1:45 left.

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

The Trojans were called for defensive holding and pass interference on consecutive plays, putting the ball at the 1-yard line and setting up Wallace’s go-ahead touchdown. Raynor then found Rucker for two points and a three-point lead.

Caldwell completed three straight passes for the Trojans, the last a 26-yarder to Higgins who dove at the Arkansas State 30-yard line. Troy called a timeout with 10 seconds left, presumably to make a throw in the end zone before attempting a field goal that tied the game. goal.

Higgins quickly opened up in the end zone, but Thomas stepped in front of Caldwell’s pass and took a knee after securing the interception. The Red Wolves took a knee to achieve victory.

Raynor ran for 71 yards and threw 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 their 1-yard game-winner.

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

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