Sep 14, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves quarterback Jaylen Raynor (1) throws against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
AMES — Iowa State’s final nonconference opponent of the season — Arkansas State — could eventually be featured prominently in the Cyclones’ record books.
But why?
ISU head coach Matt Campbell stands one win away from tying Dan McCarney for the most wins in program history (56), and his No. 20 team enters Saturday’s 1 p.m. matchup with the Red Wolves as 21.5-point favorites.
So Vegas fully expects the Cyclones (2-0) to record a significant win fairly easily, but Arkansas State (2-1) won’t be intimidated after playing in Michigan’s “Big House” last Saturday.
The Red Wolves boast enough talent — particularly on defense — to make it a stressful afternoon for ISU, and with that in mind here are five of those crimson-colored canines to watch on Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium.
QB Jaylen Raynor (or Timmy McClain)
Raynor, a 6-1, 205-pound sophomore, is athletic and boasts a strong arm but has been inconsistent through three games this season. He’s completed 57.1 percent of his passes for three touchdowns and three interceptions and was replaced by McClain late in last week’s 28-18 loss at Michigan. McClain — who’s played at both South Florida and Central Florida in his well-traveled college career — threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter as the Wolverines plumbed the depths of its roster after building a 28-3 lead. So is there a quarterback controversy in Jonesboro? Probably not, but head coach Butch Jones at least has an experienced option at the position if Raynor struggles. Both Raynor and McClain are potent playmakers who can extend drives with their legs, so ISU’s injury-plagued linebackers’ room must be at its best in order for the defense to get off the field.
S Trevian Thomas
The 5-11, 196-pound senior led the Red Wolves in tackles last season with 91 and has already matched his 2023 interceptions total with two — including one last weekend in Ann Arbor. Thomas ranks second on the team in solo stops with 11 and has a penchant for making big plays. His first career interception in 2022 turned into a 27-yard touchdown and he also returned a fumble for a 91-yard touchdown last season. Thomas helps headline an opportunistic defense that boasts five takeaways this season, including three interceptions against Michigan.
WR Corey Rucker
Rucker’s a prodigal son of sorts who transferred to South Carolina in 2022, suffered a season-ending injury after catching one 52-yard touchdown pass, and returned to Arkansas State last season. The 6-0, 214-pound junior leads the Red Wolves in receptions (17), receiving yards (265) and touchdown catches (two, tied with fellow receiver Reginald Harden Jr.). Rucker was held to a modest stat line of four catches for 26 yards in the loss at Michigan, but erupted with a nine-catch, 179-yard performance in the Red Wolves’ 34-31 season-opening win over intrastate rival Central Arkansas. Rucker caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Raynor with three seconds left and is a proven playmaker and former FWAA freshman All-American.
DE Jayden Jones
The former Southern Methodist transfer leads Arkansas State in sacks this season with two and also recorded a season-high four tackles against Michigan. The 6-5, 262-pound junior totaled just 16 tackles in his first two seasons and zero sacks, but he did force a fumble as a Mustang in 2022. He helps form a strong front seven complemented by defensive tackle Nate Martey (10 tackles, one batted-down pass this season), and linebackers Marvin Ham and Charles Willekes, who rank second and third on the team in tackles with 23 and 22, respectively.
RB Zak Wallace
The study 6-0, 226-pound super senior from Benton, Ark., has struggled this season, totaling 124 yards on 34 carries (3.6-yards-per-carry average) and two touchdowns through three games. But Wallace’s track record points to great productivity. He racked up 31 rushing touchdowns in his final two seasons at FCS Tennessee-Martin and ranked second on the team last season with 594 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Wallace has been playing college football since 2019 and rushed for more than 1,000 yards in the 2021 season.
