A-State, Tulsa set to clash in nationally televised tilt

Red Wolves back on the field after UCA game postponed

A-State Media JONESBORO — After receiving votes in both the Associated Press and Coaches Top 25 polls, Arkansas State is set to resume its 2020 schedule Saturday when it hosts Tulsa in its first home game of the season. The Red Wolves’ Homecoming contest is set to appear on ESPN2, and every A-State football game can be heard live on 107.9 FM in the Northeast Arkansas area.

Playing its first game since defeating Big 12 foe Kansas State on Sept. 12, the Red Wolves are receiving votes in both the Associated Press Top 25 and Coaches polls for the first time since the end of the 2012 season. The Red Wolves were originally slated to host UCA in its home opener on Sept. 19, but the game was postponed and rescheduled for Oct. 10 after A-State announced it was unable to assemble a two-deep depth chart at one specific position group due to player unavailability. A-State most recently knocked off Kansas State 35-31 in Manhattan, Kan., for its first win over a Power 5 conference opponent since 2008. Tulsa remains on the road for its second game after falling 16-7 at thenranked No. 11 Oklahoma State this past Saturday.

Blake Anderson, a 19-year coaching veteran at the NCAA FBS level who also coached in an NJCAA National Championship game, was named the Red Wolves’ 30th all-time head coach on Dec. 19, 2013.

Anderson led the Red Wolves to Sun Belt Conference championships in 2015 and 2016, as well as six consecutive winning seasons and six bowl-game appearances (2019 and 2017 Camellia Bowl, 2018 Arizona Bowl, 2016 Cure Bowl, 2015 New Orleans Bowl, 2014 GoDaddy Bowl) during his first six years leading the program.

Under his direction, the Red Wolves have set 12 new single-season records, including average yards total offense (494.8 ypg in 2017), total offense (6,174 yards in 2014) and points scored (520 in 2015).

Following the 2019 season, Anderson received the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award and was named the Grant Teaff Coach of the Year, presented annually by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

A-State, which played back-to-back road games to start its season for the first time since 2010, didn’t announce Central Arkansas and Kansas State as additions to its 2020 schedule until Aug. 7 and Aug. 12, respectively. The Red Wolves were originally slated to play a home game against Howard on Sept. 12 and a road game at Michigan on Sept. 19 before the two contests were canceled. A-State’s original schedule called for it to alternate road and home games throughout the regular season for the first time in school history.

Arkansas State announced last week that its game against UCA, originally scheduled for Sept. 19, was rescheduled for Oct. 10 due to being unable to assemble a full two-deep depth chart at one specific position group. The Red Wolves and Bears last played each other in 2016.

Arkansas State is set to play Tulsa for the sixth time in school history, holding a 3-2 record against the Golden Hurricane. The series dates back to 1978 and most recently saw the Red Wolves claim a 29-20 road win in 2018. This year’s game completes a two game home-and-home series between A-State and Tulsa.

With its 35-31 road win over Kansas State, the Red Wolves collected their first win over a Power 5 conference opponent since defeating Texas A& M 18-14 in 2008. It also marked their second win over a Power 5 team since moving to FBS status in 1992. In the process, A-State handed Kansas State its first defeat in a home opener since a loss to North Dakota State in 2013. The Red Wolves’ victory also marked just the eighth time an opponent has defeated K-State over the Wildcats last 84 regular- season non-conference home games.

Arkansas State is 62-27-3 all-time in Homecoming contests. The Red Wolves have won 16 of their last 17 Homecoming games, including the last nine in a row, dating back to the 2003 season. The only setback during that time came 34-24 against Louisville in 2010. Saturday’s game will mark the first time AState has hosted Tulsa for its Homecoming game.

This year marks just the fourth time in school history that A-State’s Homecoming game was also its home opener. The previous three times it occurred was 2001, 1924 and 1923.

Biletnikoff Award Watch List member Jonathan Adams Jr. put together one of his best career games on a huge stage during the Red Wolves’ 35-31 win at Kansas State. He was catapulted into the national spotlight, garnering interviews from media members such as Reggie Bush with FOX and multiple national awards. Following his performance that included eight catches for 98 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, he was named the national Player of the Week by the Maxwell Award and 247Sports and Offensive Player of the Week by Athlon Sports and the Frisco Bowl. He was also tabbed the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

A Pair of A-State running backs posted career-best rushing numbers against Kansas State.