Arkansas State defensive back Trevian Thomas looks on during an NCAA football game on Oct. 7 in Troy, Ala. Thomas returned a fumble 91 yards for one of Arkansas State’s three defensive touchdowns in a 77-31 Sun Belt Conference win over Texas State on Saturday in Jonesboro. The 77 points were the most by a team this season in a conference game. (Photo courtesy of Associated Press)
The statistics sheet from the Texas State-Arkansas State game told an interesting tale.
Texas State outyarded the Red Wolves, had 36 more plays from scrimmage and held an eight-minute advantage in possession time – yet lost by 46 points Saturday to an opponent that entered the game ranked 92nd in scoring out of 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.
ASU’s 77-31 victory made the Red Wolves the 15th FBS team since 2000 to score at least 75 points in a league game and the first in the Sun Belt Conference.
The point total was the highest in a conference game since SMU outscored Houston 77-63 in the American Athletic Conference last year.
The Red Wolves scored seven rushing touchdowns and had TDs on two interception returns, one fumble return and one kick return.
They’re the ninth team since 2013 to score three defensive touchdowns in a game, according to Sportradar. Trevian Thomas returned a fumble 91 yards, Melique Straker ran back an interception 87 yards and Dane Motley had a 50-yard pick-six.
Ja’Quez Cross had a 92-yard kick return for a touchdown to go with three rushing TDs.
Arkansas State went into the game averaging 23.2 points per game and had scored just two touchdowns in a 21-14 loss to South Alabama the week before. Saturday’s win made the Red Wolves bowl-eligible for the first time since 2019 and moved them to 62nd in scoring (28.4 ppg).
Texas State had been allowing 28.5 points per game to rank 88th in scoring defense. The Bobcats are 114th now at 32.9.
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