Arkansas State’s football season started strong with a 42-24 win over SEMO at home to start the season at 1-0, then the Red Wolves went on a 4-game losing streak as they lost 56-14 to Arkansas in Little Rock, then lost 3 close games to Iowa State 24-16, Kennesaw State 28-21, and ULM 28-16.
The Red Wolves were tied with Texas State in the fourth quarter. Both teams traded touchdowns to make it 24-24 after it was 10-10 to start the fourth quarter. After the Red Wolves scored 24-24, Texas State got a big run play to set up 1st and goal, and then scored on the next play to make it 30-24 with the extra point coming up.
Looking at the score, the Red Wolves thought they were going to start the season 1-5, but the Texas State kicker missed an extra point, giving A-State a chance to win and save their season. Following the kickoff, the Red Wolves needed just 53 seconds to score what could have been the game-winning touchdown. Clune van Andel kicked the extra point and made the score 31-30 in favor of the red wolves. Following the kickoff, Texas State tried a series of laterals. But the rally came short, and A-State would go on to win the game 31-30. The win would give A-State momentum leading into their bye week.
Following the bye week, A-State would go on to win its next 3 games. A 15-14 win at South Alabama, a 34-24 homecoming win against Georgia Southern, and a 23-10 win at Troy. The Red Wolves have a chance to lead the Sun Belt West if they beat Southern Miss.
But the Red Wolves rally came a play short as Southern Miss intercepted Raynor’s pass in the endzone as time expired to give the Red Wolves their first loss in conference play and their first loss since the ULM game.
While the shot at winning the division and going to the Sun Belt championship is out of reach, the chance of going bowling in the postseason is still alive as A-State just needs one more win to become bowl eligible, as the Red Wolves have 2 games left with a home mid-week game against Louisiana and a road trip to App State. Since ASU has five wins, websites that post bowl projections have included A-State. The following are the websites that have A-State projected to go bowling after the loss to Southern Miss.
ESPN (Schlabach): Boca Raton bowl vs Miami (Ohio)
Athlon Sports: 68 Ventures bowl vs Western Michigan
Pro Football Network: 68 Ventures Bowl vs Central Michigan
Sports Illustrated: Myrtle Beach Bowl vs Utah State
On3 Sports: Cure Bowl vs Western Kentucky College football news: IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl vs Jacksonville State
On November 8th, 2025, the Sun Belt West Division will be on the line as the Southern Miss Golden Eagles will travel to Jonesboro to take on a red-hot Arkansas State Red Wolves. The Golden Eagles of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, enters the matchup coming off its bye week, while the Red Wolves of Jonesboro, Arkansas, are coming off a dominant defense performance with a 23-10 victory over Troy last week. This game has West Division title implications as the teams are currently 1st and 2nd in the West Division. If Southern Miss wins this game, it will win the West. If Arkansas State wins this game, they will win the West Division as they would have the head-to-head tie breakers with both Troy and Southern Miss.
Arkansas State head coach butch jones and Southern Miss head coach Charles Huff were asked about the Sun Belt West Division showdown on Monday during the Sun Belt weekly Zoom press conference.
“Well, just, you know, not giving up explosive plays, and they force you to execute. They force you to play in space. They force you to tackle a quarterback who is a dynamic player, deserving of all his honors, deserving of all the expectations in terms of preseason conference Player of the Year. They do a great job in terms of getting their skill players, their hands on the ball, and creating space, and really putting the ball in play. I think that the whole key is the ability of the quarterback to put the ball in play, and they’re big up front. So again, they’re extremely talented, and then defensively, you know, as good a defense that we’ve faced all year. Therefore, it will be a challenge,” said Arkansas state head coach Butch Jones.
“We have to go play a really good Arkansas State football team, you know, arguably the hottest team in the country over the last month. And that’s a fact. I mean, they’ve been able to go on the road and win games. They’ve been able to win close games, and that’s what good teams do: good teams find a way to win games, bad teams find a way to lose them. Obviously, they’re playing at a really high level with a lot of confidence. I have known Coach Jones for a long time. His process is set up for them to be playing well at the back end of the season, you know, at this level, sometimes our schedule doesn’t allow, you know, for the miraculous runs in the beginning of the season with the P4s that you have to play and those types of things. But people remember what you do in November, and they are setting themselves up for a really good run. Planned a really high level. I think their quarterback is arguably the best in the conference. I can’t judge my guy cause I see him every day, but as an opponent, he creates a lot of issues. Defensively, they give you a lot of looks. We’re going to an environment that’ll be different than the environment we went to, we plant at a different time as far as kickoff. We play a completely different team. I think we have learned throughout the course of the season, the key to all of it is preparation and mental disposition, whether you’re playing at home or away. I think when you play on the road, you’ve got to have a little more intentional focus. When the game time adjusts and you are adjusting, you have to have a little bit of awareness of that. We anticipate a really good game day environment. You know, you got a team that’s playing really well with a community and fan base that truly supports. So, we’re expecting a very hostile environment, obviously, with the kick time and location and all those things, we’ve got to make some adjustments in our schedule,” said Southern Miss head coach Charles Huff.
Both Coach Jones and Coach Huff were asked about the Sun Belt West Division showdown on Tuesday during their weekly press conferences.
“And now we’ve got to get prepared for a really good Arkansas State football team that’s playing extremely well, arguably, the hottest team in the conference right now on the four-game win streak. Doing a really good job of finding ways to have gritty wins. I truly believe good teams find ways to win games; bad teams find ways to lose them. Over the last month, Arkansas State has done a really good job of finding ways to win games. Coach Butch Jones does a phenomenal job. You can see the culture, you can see the process that they have, how they go about it. I think they play extremely hard on both sides of the ball. I think their quarterback is arguably the best in the conference. I can’t rate hours because obviously I’m a little bit biased, but the kid’s dangerous. He can make all the throws. Obviously, he can activate his legs. I think he’s taking a step in growth from last year to this year, or from when he was a freshman and we played him at the other place. He’s not just pulling the ball down to run now. He’s pulling it down and still keeping his eyes downfield, which creates another whole set of issues. I think their O-line does a really good job of finishing blocks. Probably the best group of receivers as a cord that we faced all year. Offensively, they stress you with different formations, and they play with tempo. You always have to have a quarterback player with eyes on the quarterback, probably two quarterback players because of his ability, which takes guys out of coverage or out of your run fits, or they have dual responsibilities. They got to run fit and a quarterback responsibility, which is extremely tough defensively; they’re defensive line probably plays as hard as any group we’ve seen. They play with a high motor, a lot of effort. The back end stresses you with a lot of different coverages. I think you’re doing a really good job of mixing up different looks to formations. So, it’s going to be a challenge. I expect a really hostile environment. Their fans do a really good job of supporting. So, I expect you know the 11 o’clock kickoff to be rocking down there in their stadium. I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard it’s one of the nicer stadiums and setups in the conference. They’ve done a really good job over the history of their time in this league of improving facilities and improving their profile. So, it’s going to be a challenge for us by no means, are we overlooking them? Truly, the word appropriate fear comes into play, probably for the head coach here. It’s a little bit more of true fear. When you watch these guys play, even when you watch games in the beginning of the season, when they were, battling the schedule of P4 teams and those type of teams, they were in the games, and one or two plays here didn’t go their way the last four games, those plays have gone their way, but they’ve never been out of a game. They’ve never been blown out, if that makes sense. Arkansas is probably the biggest score differential that they’ve had, even against Iowa State. They’re in the game. They’re competing. A couple plays here or there, even games where they get behind Texas State, Georgia Southern. Kennesaw State, even though they lost that game, battled back. At the very end. So, they’re definitely a scary team. We’ve got a lot of work to do to focus on what we can control and how we play. It starts with how we prepare. I thought we had a really good day yesterday, even over the break, you know, our leaders had guys watching film, Braylon, Chris Jones, those guys were in the group text, making sure guys were watching the game, even though we were off that week. When they came on Sunday, they came in with a really good knowledge base, a little bit further ahead than some of our opponents. So, we’ve got a chance to rest this week, and then we’ve got to go play really well. Does it matter how much attention you put on the team if you don’t go out and execute? So, our players are fully understanding what we’re walking into,” said Coach Huff
“This is as good a team that’s been in the Sun Belt since we’ve been here. And I know Coach Huff, you know, tries to play the game and God love him, but they’re a really talented football team, you know, and it’s the age of college football. We’re playing the defending champion. You look at their starting defense, seven of those 11 came from Marshall. And then the quarterback, who is as good a quarterback as I’ve seen. And I think the thing about him is he can throw the deep ball exceptionally well. He’s big, he’s physical, he can make all the throws. He’s impressive. The receiving core is probably as good a receiving core as anybody in the group of six. You know, they have tall guys, they have mid-range guys, they all can run, they all have good ranges that catch the football. I think their tight ends are really, really talented. Running backs are hard to bring down offensive line is big and imposing. I mean, there’s a reason other record is the way they are, and they know how to win, and then defensively, their defensive front is violent. They’re physical, probably the best back end of any team we’ve faced all year. Their break and drive, their ability to drive routes is really, really impressive. Special teams. So when you really look at this football team, they’re the defending champion. Their players know how to win. I think it’s. Kind of the circumstances that surround college football. Who would ever have thought that four or five years ago, you would take a championship team on their coach, and be displaced, and go to another school in your conference, and everybody follows, and they kind of pick up where they left off at their previous school? I think, you know, that’s if there’s ever an indication or a definition of where we’re at in the profession, and, you know, Coach Huff has done a great job there. But they’re as talented a team as we’ll face. I definitely have my respect. The more videos I watch, the more impressive they are, and then, you know, every game is about the style, you know, the Style of fights dictates how you’re going to play, and you know, they play differently. They do a really good job offensively. They go really fast. They do a great job with their cadence. They get a lot of gimmes and a lot of free plays because they’re such good at what they do in their cadence, they control the tempo, they can run the ball, they can push the ball down the field. So that style of play is going to be different, very similar to summer, regards to Kennesaw, but there are a lot of differences as well, and then defensively, really, really good at all three levels of their defense. Like I said, there’s the secondaries elite. Their defense is elite. So it’s going to take a great effort of complimentary football, and it’s going to take winning the process and you know, how do we prepare day in and day out and just working to win the day and then just stack days and, you know, these games are always great to see and kind of roll the ball out and play at 11 a.m. and kind of see how you how you face off and try to give your players, you know, every competitive advantage you can. And you have to search for them because they have no weaknesses. They’re a really good football team. And, you know, I’ve been up here and told you like it is, I’ve been very complimentary of our opponents, but I don’t think you’ve ever heard me this complimentary of a football team before, because they’re really a complete team in all three phases,” said Coach Jones.
New for the 2025 season, the Sun Belt Conference announced that they are doing weekly football availability reports for all 14 teams that are playing conference games. It is similar to the NFL’s injury report, but the availability reports don’t say what kind of injury the player has, unlike the NFL’s injury report. The report will have players listed as available, questionable, doubtful, probable, or out, and will have the same say game time decision on the reports that are listed on gamedays. The first initial report will be announced three days before each conference game, which will be on Wednesday. Another update to the availability reports will happen on gamedays at 10:30 EST/9:30 CST. Both Arkansas State and Southern Miss submitted their availability reports on Wednesday night. The players on the list for Southern Miss are OL Jahmir Davis (out) and DB Ishmael Ibraheem (out). The players on the list for Arkansas state are WR Nazeviah Burris (out), TE Jabari Bush (out), RB JaQuez Cross (out), DB Malik McConnico (out), OL Tristan Smith (out), DL Quincey Wright(out), TE Tyler Little (questionable), and DB Brandon Greil (questionable).
Arkansas State University Chancellor Dr. Todd Shields (left) and Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhavor (right) after the unveiling of new street signs in downtown Jonesboro that have the new Red Wolves logo on them. Photo courtesy of Arkansas State University.
JONESBORO, Ark. – The Jonesboro community showed up Friday for the annual Paint the Town Red block party downtown, signaling a new season of Arkansas State football. (You can see the video below, provided by Allie Carson.)
With the football season officially underway, the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce hosted a community event in downtown Jonesboro, featuring local band “Bloodhound,” speakers, games, food, prizes, and a rap performance by Dr. Todd Shields himself. (You can listen to the rap below.)
Cody Slater, the vice president of programming with the Chamber of Commerce, said that Jonesboro isn’t what it is without the partnership and cooperation with A-State.
“Jonesboro has grown exponentially. It (Arkansas State) has been a shining light. But I don’t think that happens without Arkansas State,” Slater said.
The winners of the Paint the Town Red decorating contest were announced during the event. Delta Zeta won the campus category, Divots Golf Lounge won the newcomer award, and the best small business award went to Fizz Facial Bar.
The overall best-decorated winner, for the second year in a row, was Kalmer Solutions.
A surprise unveiling of a secret project by Shields and Mayor Harold Copenhaver happened during the event.
The secret project was unveiled at the north end of Main Street, where Burke Avenue meets Cate Avenue, and was shown to be A-State logos on the street signs.
Coach Butch Jones had challenged Mayor Copenhaver for three years to make Arkansas State part of Jonesboro.
“I want to thank Mayor Copenhaver and the entire city because this was a vision about three years ago,” Jones said regarding the new street signs.
The logo will be displayed on every road that comes into A-State, already visible on multiple road signs near campus.
According to Shields, everyone loved the idea of having Red Wolves branding on street signs, something very prominent in other college towns.
“We talked to the mayor, he was all about it, but we had to go through the Arkansas Department of Transportation. They had to get the right approvals and that kind of thing,” Shields said. “It took a while, but that was the big thing.”
With the new signs and the entire event in general, A-State fans were hyped for the football season, with 18,241 total people turning up to Centennial Bank the next night to watch a 42-24 Red Wolves win. This Saturday will be the historic game between Arkansas State and the Arkansas Razorbacks at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
Arkansas State University held the annual Thanksgiving dinner in the Acansa Dining Hall Wednesday.
Craig Johnson, assistant vice chancellor for auxiliary services and volunteer coordinator for the Thanksgiving dinner, said the event provides for faculty, staff and students alike.
“For faculty, this gives them interactions outside of the classroom or outside of the offices,” Johnson said. “For our students, it gives them an opportunity to meet with faculty and staff in a different environment. It provides for those folks who can’t be able to go home for Thanksgiving.”
Emily Martin, a first-year nursing major from Viola, Arkansas, attended the Thanksgiving dinner. She said her favorite food served at the event was the macaroni and cheese, while her least favorite was the stuffing. Martin said the food lines never felt slow and the servers were very hospitable.
“We probably got here at a good time, we got in right after the initial people,” Martin said. “I had to go back and get mac and cheese because they were out, though.”
Yurizzia Macias, a first-year nursing major from Little Rock, said the food was great overall. She also said the stuffing was her least favorite food served at the event. She said while the food for the Thanksgiving dinner was being served in the middle of the Acansa Dining Hall, the space never felt claustrophobic and the food lines were never congested.
Johnson said he has helped plan the annual Thanksgiving dinner for 27 years. He said it was harder to find volunteers in the early 2000s. This year, Johnson said he had to turn people away because so many wanted to help.
The volunteer coordinator said he sent an email at 9 a.m. asking faculty and staff to help with the event and by 9:19, the first shift of volunteers was already full.
43 volunteers comprising faculty and staff members helped serve food at the event. Johnson said volunteers receive no formal training other than guidance on giving equal food portion sizes to students.
“We really just put an apron on, put gloves on and say ‘serve’”, Johnson said.
The volunteer coordinator said 100 students were already through the line in only the first half hour of the event. He said he thinks the volunteers served about 600 to 650 students during the event.
Johnson said it was fun to see a full cafeteria again. He said A-State is still rebounding from COVID-19, which caused a drop in the on-campus student population
“I consider a place like this to be the heartbeat, where folks have the ability to engage and interact,” Johnson said.
Macias said she thinks the Thanksgiving dinner will have a positive impact on students, especially those who won’t be able to go home or see their family during Thanksgiving or Christmas break.
“If they see how it is all family-friendly, they will be more motivated to stay here,” Macias said.
Johnson said he hopes the Thanksgiving dinner provided a warm holiday experience for students who cannot travel home while on break.
“I don’t think you can ever replace what it means to go home, we just can’t match that,” Johnson said. “But it does give that holiday feeling that you have during Thanksgiving.”
Johnson said since Thanksgiving is a holiday based on American history, some international students may not celebrate it. He said this event still serves to give these students another taste of American culture and what the holiday is all about.
Martin said while she enjoyed the event, she did notice areas that could be improved. Martin and Macias said having another table for serving food would have helped students get more food. Five volunteers couldn’t attend the event to help because they had the flu. Johnson said their absence didn’t affect the event very much because he probably had more volunteers than he needed anyway.
Johnson said he would like to see more food options served next year when the event is held again. He said he told the head of operations for the event he would particularly like to have candied yams available for students next year.
Macias said she would be interested in coming to the same event next year and similar events in the future.
JONESBORO – The Department of Military Science at Arkansas State University will induct three new members into the ROTC Hall of Heroes at the 28th annual ceremony, announced Lt. Col. Morgan Weatherly, professor of military science.
The induction will start at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, in Cooper Alumni Center, 2600 Alumni Blvd.
The three to be honored with the prestigious recognition are Albert (Al) G. Martin, former Captain (Promotable), U.S. Army; Robert A. Barker, retired Colonel, U.S. Army; and Jerry W. Cheatom, retired Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army.
Following the ceremony, placards will be hung in the Hall of Heroes by the inductees. The honorees also will be recognized during halftime of the 2 p.m. Red Wolves football game against UL-Monroe at Centennial Bank Stadium.
All three are alumni of the ROTC program in the A-State Department of Military Science. Here are the profiles of this year’s inductees:
Albert (Al) G. Martin, Captain (Promotable), U.S. Army Special Mission Force, Strategic Technical Directorate Assistance Team-158
Former Captain (Promotable) Al Martin is a native of Helena. In 1969, upon graduation from A-State with a degree in political science and as a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, he was commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate into the Active Duty force as a Military Intelligence officer.
2nd Lt. Martin attended his MI Officer Basic Course and volunteered for Airborne and Special Forces training. As a lieutenant, he served with the 6th and 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C. While there, he earned his Green Beret and completed U.S. Army Ranger School and Vietnamese language school prior to his deployment to Vietnam.
In Vietnam, 1st Lt. Martin served with Special Mission Force, Strategic Technical Directorate Assistance Team-158. SMF had a classified mission of POW, MIA, and Downed-Pilot Recovery. They also ran other non-classified company and platoon-size operations. SMF was composed of 124 indigenous mercenary Montagnards, 41 of which were in 1st Lt. Martin’s platoon.
Upon redeploying to the states, 1st Lt. Martin attended his MI Officer Advance Course and was promoted to captain. He then attended flight school to receive a rotary and fixed-wing pilot rating at Fort Rucker, AL. His follow-on assignment was with the First Army Security Agency Aviation Company (CEFIRM Leader) as the operations officer at Ft. Bliss, Texas. The unit flew modified U-21 aircraft with direction-finding, signal intelligence, and radio signal jamming capabilities.
Capt. Martin was reassigned to the 25th Infantry Division, 3/4 Cavalry at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, as a rotary-wing pilot. Following his tour in Hawaii, Capt. Martin resigned his commission and began a 42-year career as a commercial real estate agent, in Honolulu, and Austin, Texas, retiring in 2019.
His awards and decorations include the Special Forces tab with Green Beret, Ranger tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Aviator Wings, Senior Jump Wings and Jumpmaster Qualification, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal (numeral “2”), Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm (Unit), and National Defense Service Medal.
Martin is a 100% Disabled American Veteran living with his wife, Joyce, in Austin. They have three children, and they now engage in Christian ministry and travel.
Robert A. Barker, Colonel, U.S. Army Chief of Staff to the CG, Fort Gordon And Cyber Center of Excellence
Retired Col. Barker is a native of Jonesboro. In 1985, he was commissioned through the A-State ROTC program with a reserve commission as an Army Signal Corps officer. He graduated Arkansas State in 1986 with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Col. Barker was the Distinguished Honor Graduate of his Signal Officer Advance Course. He also completed Command and General Staff College (2000)—receiving an M.S. in computer resources and information technology (Webster University); the U.S. Army War College (2009)—earning an M.A. in strategic studies, and the U.S. Army War College Senior Leader Seminar (2014).
Col. Barker’s notable assignments include Operations Officer, Theater Communications Control Cell (TCCC) (Fwd), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. As part of an eight-person Army cell operating at Khobar Towers in Dhahran the night of the Khobar Towers bombing, he was instrumental during recovery operations and the reactivation of the operations center after the terrorist attack. In 2004, he commanded the 63rd Signal Battalion during combat operations in Iraq. In 2008, Col. Barker was tasked to deploy to Moscow, Russia, in support of a Joint Operation’s exercise with the Russian General Staff to develop a working relationship with Russia for future joint operations. He served as the director, Concepts, Requirements, and Doctrine Division (CRDD) and the director, Capabilities Development Integration Division (CDID) of the Signal Center of Excellence, and was the garrison commander at Ft. Gordon, Ga. Col. Barker retired in 2016 as the chief of staff to the Commanding General Cyber Center of Excellence (CCoE) and Ft. Gordon, where he was directly involved in the activation of the CCoE, Cyber School, and the new command and control, and training facilities for Ft. Gordon to support the transition to Cyberspace Operations and the move of Army Cyber Command to Ft. Gordon. He wore the uniform for over 30 years.
His noteworthy awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (1 OLC), Bronze Star (1 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1 Silver OLC), Air Force Achievement Medal with “V” Device, Joint Staff Officer’s Badge, and Basic Parachutist Badge.
Col. Barker now resides in Harrisburg with his wife Barbara and two granddaughters, Kya and Aunna. He manages the family business, Brasco Service Inc.
Jerry W. Cheatom, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Director of Army Instruction, San Antonio Independent School District
Retired Lt. Col. Jerry Cheatom is a native of El Dorado. In 1976, upon graduation from Arkansas State University with a degree in printing technology, he was commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate into the Active Duty force as an Infantry officer. A recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, he was also the president of the Black Students Association and a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity and Scabbard and Blade Military Society.
Lt. Col. Cheatom’s education includes a master’s degree in adult education (Kansas State University) and a master’s in school administration (Trinity University), as well as a doctorate in educational leadership (UT-San Antonio).
His senior level assignments included Space Surveillance Commander, Space Defense Commander, and Chief, Training Evaluations, Standardization, and Exercises, U.S. Space Command, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Base, Colo.; and professor of military science, Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University, Tallahassee.
Lt. Col. Cheatom has served an additional 22 years in uniform with JROTC as Senior Army Instructor (SAI) at Theodore Roosevelt and Sam Houston High Schools in San Antonio, and as director of Army Instruction for San Antonio Independent School District, where he continues service today. He also served as assistant principal for five years at Roosevelt High. He concurrently serves as a senior counselor for Texas American Legion Boys State and is a member of the Alamo Area, Texas, and National Alliances of Black School Educators. In essence, Lt. Col. Cheatom transformed 21 years of military experience into 27 years and counting of youth mentorship.
His awards include the Ranger Tab, Expert Infantry Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and U.S. Army Space Operations Badge.
His civilian awards and recognitions include the North East Independent School District Superintendent’s Award, induction into Phi Delta Kappa Educators Hall of Fame, the Lifetime Achievement Award, Psi Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, National Board of Rocks Incorporated Chairman’s Award for Exceptional Service, and Rocks Incorporated Robert B. Burke Award.
Lt. Col. Cheatom and his wife Judith are the parents of four daughters—Keyna, Amber, Mila and Asante, and five grandchildren—Quinten, Camryn Lane, Grayson, Julius and Cassian.
Arkansas State University is in the process of creating the next Astate.edu website which is set to launch summer 2025.
Todd Clark, chief marketing and communications officer and member of the website redesign committee, said the website is the front door of A-State.
“Oftentimes it’s our students’ first experience with A-State, so we want to make sure we’re showcasing the university in the best light,” Clark said.
Clark said a university website lasts five to six years, and Astate.edu was last redesigned in 2012.
The committee is building the website from the ground up with external partner iFactory, a digital marketing agency specializing in higher education. They are also in collaboration with Modern Campus, a company that provides software and web content management services for higher education institutions.
“We’ve just so radically changed in the last twelve years that we had to go back and just kind of, for lack of a better word, blow it up and start over,” Melanie Wicinski, associate vice chancellor for accreditation and assessment and member of the website redesign committee, said.
Justin Coats, a junior computer science major from Cherry Valley, Arkansas, said the current website is good at overall presentation, but does a lackluster job at purveying information.
“I find that I often get lost on it. So when I heard that they were recreating the website I was certainly happy about it, because it definitely needs updating,” Coats said.
Coats said he often goes on the website to look for his class bulletins but can’t find them because they’re hidden so deep within sub pages. He said it’s difficult to find databases on the website unless his professors link directly them.
“The databases and the bulletins are both so important and they’re just kind of sandwiched in the middle of nowhere in the website,” Coats said. “I think that definitely is a symptom of having so many pages that are just thrown about and added post making a main framework of the website, as opposed to considering all of that at one time and then designing the website.”
Priorities for the new website include having program pages with more dynamic information, the ability for faculty to update these pages with ease, an accessible mobile-first design and removing the a-z index.
Wicinski said the a-z index is a crutch for faculty and staff and a well-designed website shouldn’t need one.
“I would die on the hill that we should not have to have an A to Z index,” Wicinski said.
Clark said the biggest issue with the current website is its age and how bloated it is. He said the Astate.edu domain has about 40,000 pages of information.
Clark and Wicinski hosted an open forum to provide an update on the project and share prototype designs.
Jim Washam, Neil Griffin College of Business dean, attended the open forum. He said he wanted to see what the new website was going to look like so he could start planning a layout for the new College of Business page.
Washam said the current website has too much clutter.
“I think building the new website will help us clean out a whole lot of that clutter and streamline things,” Washam said. “So I’m excited about that.”
Clark said iFactory audited every page of content on the A-State website.
“We went through and inventoried our content and audited as a committee to figure out how we can try to really reduce the amount of pages,” Clark said. “There’s no need for A-State to have 40,000 pages. If we can cut that down to 10,000 it’d be great, 5000 would be even better.”
Washam said the website redesign committee should prioritize a combination of design and content to catch people’s eye and lead them to the information they need.
Wicinski said the redesign in 2012 cost over $200,000 and the committee will keep the new website continually updated to avoid having to redesign the website in five years.
To increase governance among faculty, the committee will implement transparent rules, expectations and guidelines for updating the website.
“Modern campus has tools that will remind faculty and staff when content is dated. The new system we’re migrating to will really help us make sure that we can keep this website current,” Clark said. “If we see a section of the website hasn’t been maintained properly or is way out of date, we’ll know who on campus is responsible for updating that information and we can work with them, work with those people to get updated.”
Clark said faculty and staff can prepare for the website launch by taking a look at the pages they have now, taking inventory of outdated information or broken links, auditing employees, getting involved in building directories and putting together a small team who have ownership accountability for their pages.
The chief marketing and communications officer said hosting the open forums is important for transparency and so the committee can receive feedback.
“The university website has so many different layers and audiences, everything from the department of biological science to the library to the A-State museum, all these users use the website differently and have different types of content,” Clark said. “It’s good to get that kind of open opinion from everyone so, as we move forward with the project, we’re best informed.”
Clark said the feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I think people are excited about the new website, the new look and I know our campus users are excited about the ease and functionality,” Clark said.
Photos and story courtesy of Cooper Melder and Tristan Harlen/ASU-TV Red Wolf Roundtable
The Arkansas State Red Wolves secured bowl eligibility for the second-consecutive season by defeating the Georgia State Panthers this past Saturday, 27-20, behind a dominate performance by the Red Wolves’ run game. The Red Wolves’ running game would account for 261 total yards of offense and three touchdowns against the Panthers at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
With the win, Arkansas State moves to 6-4 on the season with their final two games of the season at home against Louisiana-Monroe and Old Dominion.
A-State quarterback Jaylon Raynor lead the Red Wolves with 97 passing yards and 114 rushing yards on the night. Red Wolves’ running back Zak Wallace lead the team with two touchdowns, while running the ball for 62 yards.
The first half did not start well for A-State as the Red Wolves could not capitalize on a 10-play, 40-yard opening drive as they were stopped on a forth and short distance down to come up empty-handed on their first possession of the game. Georgia State would then take the ball on the ensuing possession and score the game’s first touchdown on a 24-yard pass from Zach Gibson to Ted Hurst, giving the Panthers a 7-0 lead. A-State quarterback Jaylen Raynor would lead the Red Wolves with the ground game late in the first quarter, putting up 58 yards on the ground in leading Arkansas State to tie the game at 7-7 when running back Zak Wallace would also use his running abilities on a 13-yard touchdown with 3:34 left in the first quarter.
A Red Wolves’ interception by Justin Parks would halt an 11-play, 45-yard drive by Georgia State in the second quarter. Parks’ second interception of the season would keep the score at 7-7.
At halftime with the score 7-7, Arkansas State’s offense would only account for 176 yards of total offense and 29 passing yards. Before halftime, Georgia State starting quarterback Gibson would suffer a leg injury and would be replaced by backup quarterback Christian Veilleux.
Arkansas State’s defense made key stops to secure the win.
The second half started with Arkansas State’s defense keeping Georgia State from scoring on the opening drive, highlighted by a key stop by Charles Willekes on a fourth and short to halt the Panthers. The Red Wolves would capitalize on the turnover on downs with a Zak Wallace one-yard touchdown to give A-State a 14-7 left with 9:32 left in the third.
The Red Wolves’ offense would be in sync all throughout the second half, outscoring Georgia State, 20-13 in the third and fourth quarters, to secure the win. Touchdowns by running backs Wallace and Ja’Quez Cross would end up putting the Red Wolves in the win column in Atlanta.
Arkansas State running back Ja’Quez cross on the move.Ja’Quez Cross celebrates after a key touchdown for the Red Wolves.
While Georgia State outgained the Red Wolves in total offensive yards, 419-336, the Red Wolves would out rush the Panthers, 261-73. The A-State defense would sack Georgia State quarterbacks twice and force two interceptions in the win.
The Red Wolves will be back in action on Saturday, November 23, as they take on the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks at 2 PM at Centennial Bank Stadium.
PIGGOTT – The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center in Piggott is announcing its 2025 writer-in-residence position.
The residency will be for June 1-30, 2025, and includes lodging at a loft apartment over the City Market coffee shop on the downtown square in Piggott.
The writer-in-residence will be able to work in the studio where Ernest Hemingway worked on “A Farewell to Arms” during an extended stay with his wife’s family in 1928. The residency includes a $1,000 stipend to help cover food and transportation.
“The writer-in-residence will be expected to serve as a mentor for a week-long retreat for writers at the educational center,” stated Dr. Adam Long, executive director of the A-State heritage sites.
This retreat will be open to eight to 10 writers from the region. The recipient may be asked to hold one or two readings of his/her work. The remainder of the month will be free to the writer-in-residence to work on his/her work.
Candidates with a Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts in a relevant field are preferred.
Applicants should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae (CV), and writing sample of roughly 20 pages, in any genre, to Long at adamlong@AState.edu by Feb. 28, 2025.
Questions about the program can be directed to Long. For more information about the museum or lodging (the Inn at Piggott), one may visit Hemingway.AState.edu.
Incomplete applications cannot be accepted. Due to the expected high volume of applications, confirmation of receipt of applications cannot be guaranteed.
The writer-in-residence program is made possible through underwriting sponsorship by Piggott State Bank.
The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center, an Arkansas State University Heritage Site, contributes to the understanding of the regional, national and global history of the 1920s and 1930s eras by focusing on the internationally connected Pfeiffer family of Piggott and their son-in-law and regular guest Ernest Hemingway.
This includes drawing on Hemingway’s influence as a noted American author to foster interest in literature and the arts and promote excellence in both.
JONESBORO, Ark. – The Arkansas State Red Wolves women basketball team played against South Alabama as the men went up against Southern Miss. during a mid-week home double header at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro on Wednesday, January 31. The women beat the Jaguars 73-61 along with the men winning against the Golden Eagles, 78-71. The women will place Old Dominion Monarchs on Saturday, while the men will play against the ULM Warhawks during another weekend double header.
A-State’s Caleb Fields (0) looks for an opening to pass the ball during the game against Southern Miss. on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. The Red Wolves beat the Monarchs, 78-71. Photo by Caleb Gullahorn
Photo Gallery
-30-
NOTE: Caleb Gullahorn is senior in the Creative Media program in the School of Media and Journalism at Arkansas State University.
JONESBORO, Ark. – First-year guard Taliah Scott’s 34 points helped the Arkansas Razorbacks women’s basketball team beat the Arkansas State Red Wolves 82-67 on Friday night at First National Bank Arena.
Scott played all 40 minutes in the game, shooting 12-21 from field-goal range and 9-9 on free-throws.
Arkansas State head coach Destinee Rogers expressed her thoughts on Scott’s performance.
“She’s definitely one of the best freshman players in the nation,” Rogers said.
Izzy Higginbottom (23)
On the other hand, A-State junior guard Izzy Higginbottom scored 27 points and was one of only two Red Wolves to score double-digit points.
Coach Rogers also expressed her thoughts on Higginbottom’s performance.
“Izzy showed up. She did her thing. Izzy put the team on her back,” Rogers said.
After the first quarter, the Red Wolves were only down 16-15. The Razorbacks’ three, three-pointers in the second quarter, gave them a 42-33 lead at halftime.
Razorbacks head coach Mike Neighbors gave his thoughts on the way his team played.
“Our group talks to each other. I was really proud of the talk they had in the locker room. Their tone was good, their energy was good. There were multiple voices talking. I have not had a team at Arkansas that can talk to each other like they do and the manner they do,” Neighbors said.
“Our group talks to each other. I was really proud of the talk they had in the locker room. Their tone was good, their energy was good. There were multiple voices talking. I have not had a team at Arkansas that can talk to each other like they do and the manner they do,”
Razorbacks head coach Mike Neighbors
An attendance of 3,208 people showed up for the game to support A-State, but Rogers feels like the team let the fans down.
“As a whole, I feel like we folded. We finally got people to show up and we had a nice crowd and great support. I feel like the fans deserve more. It’s disheartening and disappointing for our team to play the game that way,” Rogers said.
Neighbors gave his thoughts on the meaning of playing in-state teams and how Arkansas State’s crowd impacted the game.
“I knew the crowd was going to be honest from the last time we came over here. I thought it was a phenomenal atmosphere. I’m proud of the way the team embraced (playing an in-state team) it. It’s good for our state. 3,208 in attendance but it felt like more than that to me. I’m glad that our non-Arkansas kids embraced that,” Neighbors said.
Arkansas State stayed in close range of Arkansas in the first half. Only being down 11 at halftime to a Power-5 SEC school brings promise to the Red Wolves’ future.
A-State Red Wolves’s guard Wynter Rogers (2) shoots against the Razorbacks’s Saylor Poffenbarger (4) during the first half of an NCAA basketball game at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro, Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. Atsuki Ohbuchi/Delta Digital News Service
“On a positive note, this is probably great for us to learn. These first three games were so tough. Getting an opportunity to learn early, I’m okay with that. If we’re going to learn this lesson, I’m good with learning this now,” Rogers said.
“On a positive note, this is probably great for us to learn. These first three games were so tough. Getting an opportunity to learn early, I’m okay with that. If we’re going to learn this lesson, I’m good with learning this now,”
A-State women’s basketball head coach Destinee Rogers
Arkansas scored 10 points from fast breaks, 28 from the paint and 13 from turnovers. The Razorbacks led the Red Wolves in all of these categories.
Arkansas’ best scoring run was 10 in the second quarter to increase their lead before halftime.
Higginbottom talked about the way Arkansas succeeded on their runs to beat A-State.
“Basketball is a game of runs. When they won on their runs, I don’t think we responded well to that. We laid down without responding back. We have to do better at throwing the first punch or punching back,” Higginbottom said.
The Razorbacks move to 4-0 on the season, playing their third-straight in-state game against University of Central Arkansas on Monday at 7 p.m. on SEC+.
The Red Wolves are now 1-2 on the season, playing another in-state game of their own against Hendrix on Tuesday at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
Brayden Morse is a multimedia journalism major in the School of Media and Journalism at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He can be reached at brayden.morse@smail.astate.edu.
FEATURE PHOTO: Red Wolves’s guard Crislyn Rose (3) is dribbles the ball past Razorbacks’s Samara Spencer (2) during the first half of an NCAA Basketball game at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro, Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. Photo by Atsuki Ohbuchi
JONESBORO, Ark. – The Arkansas State University Red Wolves beat the Texas State University Bobcats on Allison Field at Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. The Red Wolves won 77-31 making them bowl eligible.
A-State running back Red Wolves Ja’Quez Cross runs the ball against Texas State Bobcats on Allison Field at Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro, Ark., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
PHOTO GALLERY
-30-
Atsuki Ohbuchi | 大渕 純暉 is a junior in the Neil Griffin College of Business at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He can be reached at: atsuki.ohbuchi@smail.astate.edu
JONESBORO, Ark. – The Red Wolves women’s basketball team play against Northern Illinois University at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro on Thursday, November 9, 2023. The Red Wolves beat the Huskies 75-62 during the MAC-SBC Challenge.
Red Wolves’ Izzy Higginbottom (23), left, drives the ball through Huskies’ Tara Stauffacher (21) during the game at First National Bank Arena. Higginbottom piled up 31 points and eight rebounds – both career highs – and handed out six assists to one turnover with four steals. A-State (1-1) outscored the Huskies (0-1) 44-29 in the second half after being behind 33-31 at intermission.
PHOTO GALLERY
JONESBORO, Ark. – The Red Wolves women’s basketball team play against Northern Illinois University at First National Bank Arena Thursday, November 9, 2023. The Red Wolves beat the Huskies 75-62 during the MAC-SBC Challenge.Red Wolves’ Izzy Higginbottom (23), left, drives the ball through Huskies’ Tara Stauffacher (21) during the game at First National Bank Arena. Higginbottom piled up 31 points and eight rebounds – both career highs – and handed out six assists to one turnover with four steals. A-State (1-1) outscored the Huskies (0-1) 44-29 in the second half after being behind 33-31 at intermission.JONESBORO, Ark. – The Red Wolves women’s basketball team play against Northern Illinois University at First National Bank Arena Thursday, November 9, 2023. The Red Wolves beat the Huskies 75-62 during the MAC-SBC Challenge.JONESBORO, Ark. – The Red Wolves women’s basketball team play against Northern Illinois University at First National Bank Arena Thursday, November 9, 2023. The Red Wolves beat the Huskies 75-62 during the MAC-SBC Challenge.JONESBORO, Ark. – The Red Wolves women’s basketball team play against Northern Illinois University at First National Bank Arena Thursday, November 9, 2023. The Red Wolves beat the Huskies 75-62 during the MAC-SBC Challenge.JONESBORO, Ark. – The Red Wolves women’s basketball team play against Northern Illinois University at First National Bank Arena Thursday, November 9, 2023. The Red Wolves beat the Huskies 75-62 during the MAC-SBC Challenge.JONESBORO, Ark. – The Red Wolves women’s basketball team play against Northern Illinois University at First National Bank Arena Thursday, November 9, 2023. The Red Wolves beat the Huskies 75-62 during the MAC-SBC Challenge.JONESBORO, Ark. – The Red Wolves women’s basketball team play against Northern Illinois University at First National Bank Arena Thursday, November 9, 2023. The Red Wolves beat the Huskies 75-62 during the MAC-SBC Challenge.JONESBORO, Ark. – The Red Wolves women’s basketball team play against Northern Illinois University at First National Bank Arena Thursday, November 9, 2023. The Red Wolves beat the Huskies 75-62 during the MAC-SBC Challenge.JONESBORO, Ark. – The Red Wolves women’s basketball team play against Northern Illinois University at First National Bank Arena Thursday, November 9, 2023. The Red Wolves beat the Huskies 75-62 during the MAC-SBC Challenge.
-30-
Ibuki Hinohara | 日野原 伊吹
Ibuki Hinohara | 日野原 伊吹 is sophomore in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Arkansas State University. He can be reached at ibuki.hinohara@smail.astate.edu
JONESBORO, Ark. – A-State women’s soccer squared-off against the Appalachian State Mountaineers for a matchup at A-State Soccer Park on Senior Day, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. The Red Wolves were defeated 2-1 during their last home match. The team will travel to Mobile, Alabama Thursday to face off against the South Alabama Jaguars for their last game of the season.
A-State Red Wolves’ Phoebe Harpole (13) moves the ball down field against the App State Mountaineers during the first half of an NCAA women’s soccer match at A-State Soccer Park in Jonesboro, Ark., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023.
PHOTO GALLERY
-30-
Atsuki Ohbuchi | 大渕純暉
Atsuki Ohbuchi | 大渕 純暉 is a junior in the Neil Griffin College of Business at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He can be reached at: atsuki.ohbuchi@smail.astate.edu
Delta Digital News Service 