JONESBORO -- Consider this confirmation.
For Arkansas State University to put a bow on the most successful start to a season in the school's past 10 years, the Red Wolves needed to defeat back-to-back non-conference FBS opponents for the first time since the Red Wolves went to the FBS 26 years ago.
With No. 1 Alabama as the headliner, a trip to Tulsa after and a home game against UNLV serving as the final act, a daunting four-game non-conference schedule sat in front of the Red Wolves before the Sept. 1 season opener against Southeast Missouri State.