When the calendar turned to October in 2011, those who follow the Arkansas State Red Wolves had no idea what was about to happen.
Or how much their fortune was about to turn on consecutive weekends.
During the Steve Roberts’ tenure in Jonesboro, the Indians/Red Wolves at times almost seemed like a snake-bit program. Stuck at 6-6 and not quit ever breaking through with that big season.
That changed a little more than 3 years ago.
It started at Western Kentucky, which turned into a series where quirky became the norm. It was a game in which A-State outgained the Hilltoppers 444 to 311, had two less turnovers and barely escaped with a victory. Only rushing for 25 yards did not help matters for the Red Wolves.
The Red Wolves started 2-2 and had high-scoring victories over Memphis and UCA. But on that day in Kentucky, the Red Wolves needed a 1-yard run by Derek Lawson with less than a minute to play for a 22-16 victory.
The Red Wolves (3-2, 1-0) turned Western Kentucky over on downs with 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter and put together a nine-play, 67-yard drive to cap the win. But it happened when Western Kentucky was stopped to set up the winning drive.
With a third-and-10 at the A-State 41, WKU’s quarterback scrambled for 10 yards and the ball was spotted at the 31 and a first-down signaled. But video replay officials determined he runner was down at the 32, the ball re-set. On fourth-and-1, the Toppers lost another yard and A-State took over.
A week later, the Red Wolves did it again at Louisiana-Monroe, winning 24-19 on a night when they played poorly. A-State rushed for only 85 yards, had four turnovers, including a fumble into the end zone that took potential points off the board. Ryan Aplin threw three interceptions, including two in the fourth quarter when a score would have put the game away.
In recent seasons starting the Sun Belt schedule with consecutive road games would have sunk the season before it started. One road victory a year was about all that could be expected from the Red Wolves.
But those two road victories changed an entire program. Since that time, Arkansas State has gone 30-11 with three straight conference titles.
And the quest for a fourth starts Saturday. But this time it is at home.
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