JONESBORO, Ark. (9/9/23) – Turnovers plagued the Arkansas State football team on Saturday night in a 37-3 loss to Memphis at Centennial Bank Stadium.

The Red Wolves (0-2) could not overcome a 24-0 deficit, against the Tigers (2-0), who forced four turnovers that resulted in 16 points. Memphis outgained A-State 389-235 while both teams gained 18 first downs.

Ja’Quez Cross rushed for a career-high 57 yards on nine carries, while totaling 149 all-purpose yards. Reagan Ealy led the Scarlet and Black with a career-best five receptions for 34 yards.

Defensively, Thurman Geathers tallied a career-high eight tackles and tied for the team lead with Eddie Smith, Melique Straker and Javante Mackey. Keyron Crawford recorded 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

Tiger quarterback Seth Henigan completed 21 of 29 passes for 239 yards and two scores to Joe Scates and Tauskie Dove, along with a rushing score. Blake Watson led Memphis in rushing with 51 yards on 20 carries.

Memphis converted a first-quarter interception into its first score of the day when Seth Morgan drilled a 47-yard field goal at the 5:53 mark to put the Tigers ahead 3-0 after one quarter.

The Tigers tacked on three more scores in the second quarter to expand their lead to 24-0. Henigan found Scates for a 4-yard touchdown pass before DJ Bell returned an interception 36 yards for a score on the ensuing drive. Henigan later connected with Dove for a 52-yard strike with 3:34 left in the half.

A 34-yard field goal by Dominic Zvada put the Red Wolves on the board in the waning seconds of the half, putting the score at 24-3 at the break.

Henigan rushed in from seven yards out with 8:51 remaining in the third to cap a 10-play scoring drive that put the visitors ahead 31-3. The Tigers added one final score as time expired on a 17-yard rush by Ke’Travion Hargrove following a fumble recovery by the Memphis defense.

NEXT UP

A-State continues its three-game home stand Saturday, Sept. 16, against Stony Brook. Kickoff against the Seawolves at Centennial Bank Stadium is set for 6 p.m. on ESPN+, while the radio broadcast can be heard on the EAB Red Wolves Sports Network as well as on the A-State Red Wolves mobile app.