The NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee has recommended a series of changes that could impact bowl eligibility and on-field rules beginning with the 2026 season.

The proposals were discussed during meetings March 19-20 and are scheduled for consideration by the Division I Council in May.

Among the most significant recommendations is the elimination of the current two-year transition period for programs moving from the Football Championship Subdivision to the FBS. If approved, transitioning schools would be eligible for conference championships, bowl games and the College Football Playoff in their first season, provided they meet the six-win requirement and bowl availability.

The committee also proposed changes to how bowl spots are filled when there are not enough six-win teams. Under current rules, teams with 5-7 records are selected based on Academic Progress Rate scores. The recommendation would allow conferences and their bowl partners to select eligible 5-7 teams to fulfill contractual tie-ins.

Another proposal would classify transitioning programs that reach six wins as fully eligible for bowl selection, rather than treating them as alternates.

The committee also addressed potential on-field rule changes.

A one-year trial is proposed for the 2026 season modifying the targeting penalty. Under the recommendation, a player’s first targeting ejection would not carry an automatic suspension for the following game.

The committee also recommended stricter enforcement regarding the transfer portal. Schools that allow participation by players who did not properly enter the portal during the designated window could face penalties, including a six-game suspension for the head coach and a fine equal to 20% of the program’s football budget.

Additionally, the NCAA is considering adoption of a fair catch kick rule, which would allow a team to attempt a free kick field goal following a fair catch.

If approved, the changes would take effect for the 2026 season.

Arkansas State baseball has reached a historic milestone, earning its first-ever ranking in Baseball America’s Top 25.

The Red Wolves checked in at No. 22 in Baseball America’s Week 6 poll following a strong 3-1 week that included a midweek victory at Little Rock and a series win over No. 7 Southern Miss to open Sun Belt Conference play.

Arkansas State is one of two Sun Belt teams featured in the rankings, marking a significant step forward for the program.

In addition to the Baseball America ranking, the Red Wolves also gained national attention across multiple polls. Arkansas State was listed in the “also considered” category by Perfect Game and received votes in both the USA Today Coaches Poll and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll.

The ranking is the program’s first appearance in Baseball America’s Top 25 and its first national recognition in a major poll since 2019, when the Red Wolves were ranked No. 29 in Collegiate Baseball’s Top 30. The highest ranking in program history came in 1970, when Arkansas State finished No. 24 in Collegiate Baseball’s final poll.

Arkansas State will look to build on its momentum as it travels to Atlanta to face Georgia State in the second weekend of conference play. The series opener is scheduled for March 20, with first pitch set for 4 p.m. CST.

Arkansas State secured a historic series victory Sunday afternoon, defeating No. 7 Southern Miss 5-2 at Tomlinson Stadium–Slayton Family Field to clinch the rubber match and the series.

The win marked the Red Wolves’ first-ever home series victory over a top-10 opponent. Arkansas State improved to 15-6 overall and 2-1 in Sun Belt Conference play, while Southern Miss fell to 16-4 and 1-2 in league action.

The victory also marked the program’s third win over a top-10 team this season, the most in a single year in school history. It was the third series win against a top-10 opponent in program history, joining series victories over No. 10 Coastal Carolina in 2019 and No. 7 Louisville in 2015.

A crowd of 1,051 attended Sunday’s game, bringing the weekend total to 4,771 fans — the largest attendance for a three-game home series in Arkansas State history.

Arkansas State leaned on a strong performance from starting pitcher Dylan Farley. The right-hander worked six innings, allowing just three hits and two runs while striking out four. Farley dominated early, retiring the first 11 batters he faced before allowing his first hit with two outs in the fourth inning.

The Red Wolves took control early in the bottom of the first inning. Arkansas State capitalized on two errors by the Southern Miss middle infield along with a wild pitch to push across three runs for a 3-0 lead.

Arkansas State added three singles over the next two innings but left all three runners stranded as the Golden Eagles changed pitchers and slowed the Red Wolves’ offense through the middle innings.

Southern Miss trimmed the lead in the sixth inning. A failed pickoff attempt allowed one run to score before a solo home run later in the inning cut Arkansas State’s advantage to 3-2.

Tyler Weimer relieved Farley and delivered 1.1 scoreless innings while striking out two. Weimer also worked out of a jam with the potential go-ahead run in scoring position.

Arkansas State threatened again in the seventh when Kaden Amundson doubled and advanced to third on a groundout but was left stranded.

Southern Miss mounted another threat in the eighth inning, loading the bases with a walk, single and hit batter. A wild pitch sent runners scrambling, but Amundson gathered the ball behind the plate and made a tag at home to end the inning.

The Red Wolves responded in the bottom half of the eighth with two insurance runs. Evan Griffis and Cason Campbell each delivered solo home runs to extend the Arkansas State lead to 5-2.

Cooper Garrison closed out the game in the ninth inning, allowing a single before inducing a fielder’s choice to secure the final out and earn his third save of the season.

Farley earned the win to improve to 3-0 on the year, while Southern Miss starter McCarty English took the loss and fell to 1-1.

Arkansas State scored four runs in the seventh inning to rally past No. 7 Southern Miss and secure an 8-5 victory Friday night at Tomlinson Stadium–Slayton Family Field in the Sun Belt Conference opener.

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The Arkansas State football program has unveiled its full 2026 schedule, a slate that features six home games at Centennial Bank Stadium and a mix of familiar rivals and challenging non-conference matchups.

The Red Wolves will open their sixth season under head coach Butch Jones with four non-conference contests before beginning Sun Belt Conference play in early October.

Arkansas State begins the 2026 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 5, with a trip to face Memphis Tigers football in Memphis. The matchup renews the most-played series in program history, marking the 61st meeting between the two programs.

The Red Wolves will make their home debut the following week when they host West Georgia Wolves football on Sept. 12 at Centennial Bank Stadium.

Arkansas State then travels to face TCU Horned Frogs football in Fort Worth on Sept. 19 before wrapping up non-conference play at home against Kennesaw State Owls football on Sept. 26. Kennesaw State enters the matchup as the reigning Conference USA champion.

Conference action begins Oct. 3 when Arkansas State travels to face Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns football in Lafayette. It will mark the first time since 2010 that Louisiana serves as Arkansas State’s conference-opening opponent.

The Red Wolves will quickly return home for a midweek nationally televised matchup against South Alabama Jaguars football on Thursday, Oct. 8.

Arkansas State then hits the road again to face Southern Miss Golden Eagles football on Oct. 17 before returning to Jonesboro for homecoming against Georgia State Panthers football on Oct. 24.

After a bye week, the Red Wolves host ULM Warhawks football on Nov. 7 before closing the road portion of the schedule with trips to Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football on Nov. 14 and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football later in November. The Louisiana Tech game will be played Nov. 19, 20 or 21, with the exact date to be determined.

Arkansas State wraps up the regular season at home Nov. 28 against Troy Trojans football.

The Sun Belt Conference Football Championship Game is scheduled for Dec. 4.

The Red Wolves enter the 2026 season with significant momentum. Arkansas State is one of just 15 teams nationally to win a bowl game in each of the past two seasons.

The program also recently announced a recruiting class featuring 58 players, with 57 of them leading their high school teams to the state playoffs.

Arkansas State returns 10 starters from last season — seven on offense and three on defense — along with 41 total letterwinners.

Spring preparations begin March 16, culminating with the annual Pack Day Spring Game on April 25 in Jonesboro.

A total of 46 members of the 2026 recruiting class are expected to participate in spring camp.

2026 Arkansas State Football Schedule

Sept. 5 — at Memphis
Sept. 12 — vs. West Georgia
Sept. 19 — at TCU
Sept. 26 — vs. Kennesaw State

Oct. 3 — at Louisiana*
Oct. 8 — vs. South Alabama* (Thursday)
Oct. 17 — at Southern Miss*
Oct. 24 — vs. Georgia State* (Homecoming)

Nov. 7 — vs. ULM*
Nov. 14 — at Coastal Carolina*
Nov. 19/20/21 — at Louisiana Tech* (date TBD)
Nov. 28 — vs. Troy*

*Sun Belt Conference game

Arkansas State broke open a tight game with six runs in the ninth inning to defeat Little Rock 12-5 on Tuesday afternoon at Gary Hogan Field.

The Red Wolves improved to 13-5, while the Trojans dropped to 8-8.

Arkansas State struck first when Ashton Quiller led off the game with a home run to deep left field, his fourth of the season and his second leadoff homer this year.

Little Rock responded in the bottom of the second inning, stringing together four consecutive hits to score three runs and take a 3-1 lead. Kole Turner exited after 1 1/3 innings, and Ryan Ashford entered in relief to settle the game.

Ashford tossed three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and keeping the Red Wolves within reach. Arkansas State trimmed the deficit to 3-2 in the fourth when Cross Jumper doubled and later scored on an infield error.

The Red Wolves regained the lead in the fifth inning. After Kaden Amundson drew an eight-pitch walk, Quiller doubled off the wall in right-center to tie the game. Lane Walton was intentionally walked before Evan Griffis delivered a three-run home run to left-center, pushing Arkansas State ahead 6-3.

Little Rock added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to close within one, but Arkansas State put the game away in the ninth.

Back-to-back walks opened the inning before a throwing error allowed the first run to score. With the bases loaded, Walton singled to center to drive in two runs. Patrick Engskov followed with an RBI double to right-center, and Griffis added a two-run double to extend the lead to 12-5.

Cooper Garrison worked the final three innings to earn his second save of the season, striking out three and allowing one run.

Griffis finished 2 for 4 with five RBIs, including a home run and a double. Quiller went 2 for 4 with three runs scored and a home run. Arkansas State totaled nine hits and did not commit an error.

Ashford earned the win to improve to 2-0. Blake Van Cleeve took the loss for Little Rock.

Arkansas State opens Sun Belt Conference play Friday at home against No. 7 Southern Miss. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

By the Numbers

• 12 — Runs scored by Arkansas State

• 6 — Runs scored in the ninth inning

• 9 — Total hits for the Red Wolves

• 5 — RBIs by Evan Griffis

• 3 — Runs scored by Ashton Quiller

• 2 — Home runs by Arkansas State (Quiller, Griffis)

• 3.0 — Scoreless innings pitched by Ryan Ashford

• 3 — Strikeouts by Cooper Garrison in his three-inning save

• 4-for-13 — Arkansas State with runners in scoring position

• 0 — Errors committed by the Red Wolves

• 13-5 — Arkansas State’s overall record

• 389 — Attendance at Gary Hogan Field

Arkansas State’s run in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament came to an end Sunday afternoon as the Red Wolves fell to Troy 83-73 in the semifinal round at the Pensacola Bay Center.

Arkansas State finished the game shooting 40 percent from the field, connecting on 25 of 62 attempts, while also hitting 12 of 31 shots from beyond the arc for 39 percent.

D’Arrah Allen led the Red Wolves with 18 points, while Mimi McCollister pulled down a team-high six rebounds and matched Crislyn Rose with a team-best five assists.

Payton Fields helped Arkansas State get off to a strong start, knocking down three early shots from deep. Troy answered with a 7-0 run, but the Red Wolves responded with an 8-1 run of their own, highlighted by four points from Bella Weary. Arkansas State held a 25-23 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Red Wolves struggled offensively in the second quarter, managing just two field goals as Troy outscored Arkansas State 20-7 in the period to take control of the game.

Arkansas State fell behind by as many as 19 points in the third quarter before Allen and Weary sparked a 12-0 run that included three made three-pointers to cut the deficit to seven. Troy answered with a late surge to extend its lead back to double digits heading into the fourth quarter.

A layup from McCollister and five quick points from Allen kept the Red Wolves within single digits early in the final period. However, Troy responded with a 10-point run over a three-minute stretch to push the lead back to 18.

Arkansas State continued to fight back, trimming the margin with a pair of three-pointers from Allen, but the Trojans maintained their advantage and secured the 83-73 victory at the final buzzer.

With the loss, the Red Wolves finished the season with a 24-9 overall record and a 13-4 mark in Sun Belt Conference play.

Sophomore infielder Lane Walton recorded three RBIs and scored twice to lead Arkansas State to a 7-0 victory over Oral Roberts on Sunday afternoon at Chapman Park.

With the win, Arkansas State improved to 12-5 on the season while Oral Roberts fell to 7-8.

Walton paced the Red Wolves offensively with a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate and also drew a walk in four plate appearances. Ashton Quiller added two RBIs for A-State.

Walton wasted little time putting the Red Wolves on the board, launching a two-run home run in the opening inning to give Arkansas State an early 2-0 lead.

Both teams combined for eight hits through the middle innings but neither side was able to push across a run until the sixth.

Walton reached base on a leadoff walk in the inning and moved to second on a single by Evan Griffis. Aidan Houseworth was later hit by a pitch to load the bases before Walton came around to score on a two-out walk, extending the Red Wolves’ lead.

Walton delivered again in the seventh inning with an RBI double down the right-field line that scored Cougar Cooke. He later crossed the plate after a throwing error at shortstop to stretch the lead to 5-0.

Quiller added insurance in the eighth inning with a two-run single up the middle, pushing the Red Wolves’ advantage to seven runs.

Arkansas State’s pitching staff combined to keep the Golden Eagles off the scoreboard. Dylan Farley started on the mound for the Red Wolves and tossed four shutout innings.

Tyler Weimer entered in relief to begin the fifth inning and dominated the rest of the way. The sophomore right-hander allowed just one hit and one walk while retiring five of the final six batters he faced, including a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Weimer improved to 2-0 on the season with the win while Oral Roberts starter Conner Johnson fell to 0-1.

Arkansas State will return to action Tuesday when the Red Wolves travel to face Little Rock at Gary Hogan Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Arkansas State converted a season-high 36 free throws and rallied late to defeat Southern Miss 89-84 on Tuesday night inside First National Bank Arena.

With the victory, Arkansas State (19-11, 10-7 Sun Belt Conference) secured its 10th home win of the season, marking the fifth consecutive year the program has reached double-digit home…

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Arkansas State made program history Tuesday afternoon, defeating No. 6 Arkansas 12-4 at Baum-Walker Stadium for the Red Wolves’ first-ever win over the Razorbacks.

Arkansas State (6-2) used a five-home run performance from four different players, including two long balls from Cross Jumper, to secure the milestone victory. The win over…

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Arkansas State battled No. 16 Ole Miss into the final inning Tuesday night, but the Rebels scored on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth to claim a 7-6 walk-off victory at Swayze Field.

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Arkansas State sophomore second baseman Lane Walton has been named the Sun Belt Conference Baseball Player of the Week following a standout performance in the Red Wolves’ season-opening series sweep of Stony Brook.

Walton, a native of Sugar Land, Texas, hit .417 (5-for-12) over the three-game series and posted a 1.250 slugging percent…

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Arkansas State takes its first road trip of the 2026 season Tuesday afternoon, traveling to Oxford to face No. 16 Ole Miss at Swayze Field. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

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Arkansas State completed a season-opening sweep of Stony Brook on Sunday afternoon, using a three-home run seventh inning to secure a 12-5 victory in eight innings at Slayton Family Field at Tomlinson Stadium.

The Red Wolves improved to 3-0 on the season, while Stony Brook fell to 0-3.

Dylan Farley earned the win in his Arkansas State deb…

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Arkansas State battled into overtime with South Alabama for the second time this season Saturday afternoon but came up short in a 92-88 loss inside First National Bank Arena.

The Red Wolves dropped to 16-11 overall and 7-7 in Sun Belt Conference play, while the Jaguars improved to 19-7 and 9-4 in league action.

Junior guard Christian Harm…

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Arkansas State was unable to overcome a slow start Saturday afternoon, falling 62-54 to Marshall at Cam Henderson Center.

The Red Wolves (20-7, 11-3 Sun Belt Conference) struggled offensively, shooting 25 percent from the field (19 of 74) and just 14 percent from 3-point range (7 of 50). Marshall (22-6, 12-3 SBC) shot 43 percent overa…

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Lane Walton delivered at the plate and Arkansas State’s pitching staff did the rest as the Red Wolves swept a season-opening doubleheader from Stony Brook on Friday at Slayton Family Field at Tomlinson Stadium.

Arkansas State (2-0) opened the day with a 9-8 victory before closing with a 4-0 shutout of the Seawolves (0-2).

In the opener…

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Arkansas State opens its 2026 baseball season this weekend with a three-game series against Stony Brook at Slayton Family Field at Tomlinson Stadium, marking the start of Head Coach Mike Silva’s second year at the helm.

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Arkansas State has opened its 2026 football season-ticket renewal process following the Red Wolves’ second consecutive winning season and third straight bowl appearance.

The Arkansas State Athletics Department announced that renewals are now underway and new season tickets are on sale for the upcoming campaign. The Red Wolves are one …

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Arkansas State baseball has adjusted its Opening Day schedule due to expected inclement weather this weekend.

Arkansas State Athletics announced Thursday that Saturday’s game between the Red Wolves and Stony Brook has been moved to Friday, creating a doubleheader at Tomlinson Stadium.

The season opener will still begin at 1 p.m. Friday…

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