Red Wolves Rally Falls Short at Kennesaw State
Arkansas State nearly erased a 21-point first-quarter deficit Saturday night, but the Red Wolves came up short in a 28-21 loss to Kennesaw State at Fifth Third Stadium.
A-State (1-3) put together 318 yards of total offense, highlighted by 226 passing yards from quarterback Jaylen Raynor, who threw for two touchdowns and added another score on the ground. Kennesaw State (2-2) countered with a balanced attack, piling up 497 total yards – 308 through the air and 189 on the ground.
Hunter Summers turned in a career night for the Red Wolves, hauling in eight receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown. Running back Kenyon Clay added a career-best six catches, including a late six-yard score that kept A-State within striking distance.
Defensively, the Red Wolves were led by Javante Mackey with a career-high 14 tackles, while Aaron Alexander chipped in 12.
The Owls came out hot, scoring three times in the opening quarter – a 54-yard strike from Amari Odom to Garland Benyard, a 7-yard rush by Alexander Diggs, and a 14-yard scramble by Odom – to build a 21-0 advantage.
Momentum shifted late in the first half when A-State capitalized on a Kennesaw State fumble. Raynor found Summers for a 28-yard touchdown with just two seconds left in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 21-7.
Another Owl turnover early in the third quarter set the stage for Raynor’s 5-yard rushing score, pulling the Red Wolves within 21-14. Kennesaw State answered with a touchdown drive of its own, stretching the lead to 28-14 as the game moved into the fourth quarter.
With time winding down, Raynor connected with Clay on fourth-and-goal to close the gap to one possession. But the Red Wolves’ final drive stalled, turning the ball over on downs at their own 19-yard line with just over a minute to play.
Kennesaw State ran out the clock from there, sealing the win.