Troy set to take on Arkansas State

Trojans hunt for first conference win on the road

Troy football travels to play Arkansas State this Saturday.

The Trojans are coming off an extended period of rest since the loss to South Alabama on Oct. 15. The matchup this week makes back-to-back road games.

Arkansas State enters the game with a 4-3 record. With only one conference loss to Texas State, along with Power 4 losses to Michigan and Iowa State, the Red Wolves are still on the prowl for a conference championship appearance.

Historically, these teams have been evenly matched. Arkansas State leads the all-time series 10-9, despite Troy’s three consecutive victories. The Trojans’ win last season came 37-3 at home.

Red Wolves head coach Butch Jones is in his fourth season in Jonesboro. The former Tennessee coach is off to his best start to a season since his arrival. Last year, he led Arkansas State to its first bowl appearance since 2019, where the team fell short in the Camellia Bowl.

Arkansas State’s offense is led by quarterback Jaylen Raynor. Raynor is a second-year starter with a strong arm that can run when needed. He does have one weak spot however: turnovers. While Raynor has seven passing touchdowns, he also has six interceptions already this year.

In last year’s matchup between these two, Raynor struggled with only 156 passing yards, completing 15-of-27 passes. He also was sacked five times. The battle in the trenches will prove vital to the outcome of this one.

Defensive end Jayden Jones will be looking to win that battle on the defensive side for Arkansas State. Jones leads the team in sacks with four. Troy will have a tough time getting past linebacker Marvin Ham as well, who has a team-high 57 tackles.

Both teams have struggled with protecting the quarterback this season. The Trojans are ranked 97th in sacks allowed, giving up 17 for a total of 121 yards. Arkansas State sits at 67th with 14.

For Troy, Jordan Stringer will be the one who will needs to get to the quarterback. No defender for Troy has multiple sacks on the season currently. Applying pressure and forcing mistakes will give the Trojans their best chance to earn the first conference win of the Gerad Parker-era.

After it was announced that Goose Crowder will miss the rest of the season, Troy’s quarterback situation remains in flux. Tucker Kilcrease and Matthew Caldwell have both got playing time in Crowder’s absence.

Kilcrease got the start against South Alabama, but after a slow start was relieved by Caldwell. Caldwell did not have much more success, but did get the Trojans their only touchdown of the game.

The Trojans face off against Arkansas State on Saturday at 6 p.m. The game will be on ESPN+.