The Red Wolves, defending Sun Belt Conference champions, lost all four nonconference games to begin the season. That included a 28-23 loss to FCS’ Central Arkansas, a defeat that understandably did not sit well with fans.
Trojans head coach Neal Brown, though, applauded the Arkansas State coaching staff for keeping the Red Wolves focused, which salvaged their season. With a win against Troy, they become the favorites to win the Sun Belt title again.
“They are playing their best football of the year right now,” the coach said. “They were 0-4 coming off a loss to Central Arkansas, and I think it speaks really highly of Blake Anderson and his staff to get them off the mat and put five wins in a row together and to keep improving.