View source for 2008 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team

{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 2008
| team = Arkansas State Red Wolves
| sport = football
| image = Arkansas State Red Wolves wordmark.svg
| image_size = 175
| conference = [[Sun Belt Conference]]
| short_conf = Sun Belt
| record = 6–6
| conf_record = 4–3
| head_coach = [[Steve Roberts (American football)|Steve Roberts]]
| hc_year = 7th
| off_coach = Doug Ruse
| oc_year = 7th
| off_scheme = 
| codef_coach1 = Kevin Corless
| codc1_year = 7th
| codef_coach2 = Jack Curtis
| codc2_year = 7th
| def_scheme = 
| captain = 
| stadium = [[Centennial Bank Stadium|ASU Stadium]]
| prev = [[2007 Arkansas State Indians football team|2007]]
}}
{{2008 Sun Belt Conference football standings}}
The '''2008 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team''' represented [[Arkansas State University]] as a member of the [[Sun Belt Conference]] during the [[2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season]]. Led by seventh-year head coach [[Steve Roberts (American football)|Steve Roberts]], the Red Wolves compiled an overall record of 6–6 with a mark of 3–4 in conference play, tying for third place in the Sun Belt. Arkansas State played home games at [[Centennial Bank Stadium|ASU Stadium]] in [[Jonesboro, Arkansas]]

==Schedule==
{{CFB schedule
| rankyear = 2008
| poll = AP
| timezone = Central

|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = August 30
| time = 6:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| opponent = [[2008 Texas A&M Aggies football team|Texas A&M]]
| site_stadium = [[Kyle Field]]
| site_cityst = [[College Station, Texas|College Station, TX]]
| tv = 
| score = 18–14
| attend = 78,691
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 6
| time = 6:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| nonconf = y
| opponent = [[2008 Texas Southern Tigers football team|Texas Southern]]
| site_stadium = [[Centennial Bank Stadium|ASU Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Jonesboro, Arkansas|Jonesboro, AR]]
| tv = 
| score = 83–10
| attend = 21,741
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 13
| time = 6:00 p.m.
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| opponent = [[2008 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team|Southern Miss]]
| site_stadium = ASU Stadium
| site_cityst = Jonesboro, AR
| tv = 
| score = 24–27
| attend = 25,938
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 20
| time = 6:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| homecoming = y
| opponent = [[2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team|Middle Tennessee]]
| site_stadium = ASU Stadium
| site_cityst = Jonesboro, AR
| tv = 
| score = 31–14
| attend = 24,256
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = September 27
| time = 1:00 p.m.
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| opponent = [[2008 Memphis Tigers football team|Memphis]]
| site_stadium = [[Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium|Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis, TN]]
| gamename = [[Paint Bucket Bowl]]
| tv = 
| score = 17–29
| attend = 26,376
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 11
| time = 6:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| opponent = [[2008 Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team|Louisiana–Monroe]]
| site_stadium = ASU Stadium
| site_cityst = Jonesboro, AR
| tv = [[ESPN Events|ESPN Plus]]
| score = 37–29
| attend = 22,745
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = October 18
| time = 6:00 p.m.
| w/l = l
| away = y
| opponent = [[2008 Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns football team|Louisiana–Lafayette]]
| site_stadium = [[Cajun Field]]
| site_cityst = [[Lafayette, Louisiana|Lafayette, LA]]
| tv = 
| score = 23–28
| attend = 23,684
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 1
| time = 2:07 p.m.
| w/l = l
| nonconf = y
| away = y
| opponent = [[2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Alabama]]
| opprank = 2
| site_stadium = [[Bryant–Denny Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Tuscaloosa, Alabama|Tuscaloosa, AL]]
| tv = [[Pay-per-view|PPV]]
| score = 0–35
| attend = 92,138
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 8
| time = 6:00 p.m.
| w/l = l
| away = y
| opponent = [[2008 FIU Golden Panthers football team|FIU]]
| site_stadium = [[FIU Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Miami|Miami, FL]]
| tv = 
| score = 21–22
| attend = 15,106
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 22
| time = 2:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| opponent = [[2008 Florida Atlantic Owls football team|Florida Atlantic]]
| site_stadium = ASU Stadium
| site_cityst = Jonesboro, AR
| tv = [[Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast|CSS]]
| score = 28–14
| attend = 10,845
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 29
| time = 1:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| away = y
| opponent = [[2008 North Texas Mean Green football team|North Texas]]
| site_stadium = [[Fouts Field]]
| site_cityst = [[Denton, Texas|Denton, TX]]
| tv = 
| score = 33–28
| attend = 9,761
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 6
| time = 6:00 p.m.
| w/l = l
| away = y
| opponent = [[2008 Troy Trojans football team|Troy]]
| site_stadium = [[Veterans Memorial Stadium (Troy University)|Movie Gallery Stadium]]
| site_cityst = [[Troy, Alabama|Troy, AL]]
| tv = [[ESPN GamePlan|ESPNGP]]
| score = 9–35
| attend = 16,227
}}
}}
<ref name="asuindians.com">{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=ASU Announces 2008 Football Schedule |url=http://www.asuindians.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=35558&SPID=2798&DB_OEM_ID=7200&ATCLID=1410788 |publisher=Arkansas State University Athletics |location=[[Jonesboro, Arkansas]] |date=March 12, 2008 |access-date=February 6, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=2008 Arkansas State Red Wolves Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/arkansas-state/2008-schedule.html |publisher=[[Sports Reference]] |access-date=October 14, 2022 }}</ref>

==Game summaries==
===Texas A&M===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road='''Red Wolves'''
|R1=3|R2=0|R3=6|R4=9
|Home=Aggies
|H1=7|H2=7|H3=0|H4=0
}}
This marked the fourth meeting between the Red Wolves and the [[Texas A&M Aggies]], at the time, a member of the [[Big 12 Conference]]. ASU went into the game with a 0–3 all-time record against the Aggies; the third game occurred in 2003,<ref name=OppHist>{{cite web|url=http://www.aggieathletics.com/sports/football/history/opp/|title=All-Time Standing with 123 Foes|publisher=Texas A&M Athletics|access-date=January 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128173615/http://www.aggieathletics.com/sports/football/history/opp/|archive-date=January 28, 2008}}</ref> the Aggies' 4–8 season.

ASU compiled 60 yards on the game opening possession, ending it with a 37-yard field goal. A&M answered with a 69-yard drive that resulted in a 9-yard touchdown run by tailback [[Mike Goodson]]. On their next possession, Arkansas State lost a fumble, allowing the Aggies to take over on downs on the A&M 28-yard line. The Aggies eventually moved to the Red Wolves 15-yard line, but faced a fourth-down situation. Kicker Richie Bean missed a 32-yard field goal to keep the score at 7–3. The Red Wolves' ensuing drive led to a punt, which A&M recovered at its 23-yard line. McGee cranked up A&M's passing game after making completions of 5, 13, 12, and 16 yards. Goodson soon scored a touchdown on a 7-yard run. Bean added the extra point to give A&M a 14–3 lead with 4:23 left in the half. Neither team could advance the ball for a touchdown over the remainder of the half.<ref name=NWA>{{cite news|url=http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/235932/ |title=Arkansas State stuns Texas A&M |newspaper=[[Northwest Arkansas Times]] |first=Todd |last=Traub |date=August 31, 2008 |access-date=September 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915122916/http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/235932/ |archive-date=September 15, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the second half, the Aggies' had four turnovers, three of which led to ASU scoring drives. Posting just 103 offensive yards – including 9 rushing – A&M failed to score on all eight of its possessions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/college_sports/story/884488.html|title=Texas A&M Aggies hoping to avoid 0–2 start|first=Lori|last=Dann|newspaper=[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]|date=September 4, 2008|access-date=September 4, 2008}}</ref> In the third quarter, an interception and a fumble recovery let the Red Wolves to score two field goals, cutting the score to 14–9. In the fourth quarter, A&M kicker Richie Bean kicked a 25-yard field goal wide right. After the missed field goal, the ball was spotted on the ASU 20-yard line. ASU drove 80 yards into A&M territory for a touchdown to take the lead. Although their two-point conversion pass was incomplete, the Red Wolves could maintain their 15–14 advantage with 4:39 remaining in the game. On their next possession, the Aggies lost the ball on a fumble by Goodson after four plays. This set up ASU to kick its fourth successful field goal of the game to extend its lead to 18–14. Once the clock went down to 1:12, the Aggies looked to score on their final drive in order to win the game. On the third play of the drive, McGee threw a 26-yard pass to third-string quarterback Ryan Tannehill to move the ball to the ASU 39. Two subsequent passes to Goodson allowed only a net gain of 5 yards, and on fourth down – with 7 seconds remaining – McGee threw another interception. ASU ran out the clock to preserve their 18–14 victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/college_sports/story/873966.html|title=Aggies' big debut fed to Red Wolves|first=Lori|last=Dann|newspaper=[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]|date=August 31, 2008|access-date=September 1, 2008}} {{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref>

The game attracted the second-largest home opener crowd of 78,691 for Texas A&M. By winning the game, ASU snapped A&M’s 20-game winning streak in home openers. ASU captured its first victory against a Big 12 team after 14 tries. It was also their first season-opening road victory since joining [[Division I-A]] in 1992.<ref name=NWA/> The game was called "one of the most embarrassing losses in [A&M] history" by several sport columnists.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newsok.com/shermans-debut-spoiled/article/3291363/?tm=1220160992|title=Sherman's debut spoiled|first=Chris|last=Duncan|newspaper=[[The Oklahoman]]|date=August 31, 2008|access-date=September 1, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/wfaa/stories/090108dnspocarltoncol.3bf9ff9.html |title=Texas A&M faces adjustments after embarrassing loss |work=WFAA |date=September 1, 2008 |access-date=September 1, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023161354/http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/wfaa/stories/090108dnspocarltoncol.3bf9ff9.html |archive-date=October 23, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=451948 |title=Texas A&M flops in opener |access-date=September 1, 2008 }} {{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The team's performance also placed 5th in [[ESPN]]'s Bottom 10 weekly rankings.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?page=bottom10081|title=TAMU, SDSU and NKOTB have the right Bottom 10 stuff|access-date=September 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080904201959/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?page=bottom10081|archive-date=September 4, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Texas Southern===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road=Tigers
|R1=0|R2=3|R3=7|R4=0
|Home='''Red Wolves'''
|H1=31|H2=21|H3=17|H4=14
}}
Arkansas State became the first major college team to break the 80-point mark since [[2005 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team|Texas Tech]] scored 80 against [[2005 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team|Sam Houston State]] in 2005.  The team posted the second-highest score in school history, topped only by a 101-point effort against the [[University of Central Arkansas]] in 1917.
<ref>[https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=282502032 ESPN.com]{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

===Southern Miss===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road='''Golden Eagles'''
|R1=3|R2=14|R3=0|R4=10
|Home=Red Wolves
|H1=3|H2=0|H3=14|H4=7
}}
{{Clear}}

===Middle Tennessee===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road=Blue Raiders
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=7|R4=7
|Home='''Red Wolves'''
|H1=7|H2=10|H3=7|H4=7
}}
Arkansas State played their homecoming game on September 20 against [[2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team|Middle Tennessee]].<ref name="asuindians.com"/>
{{Clear}}

===Memphis===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road=Red Wolves
|R1=0|R2=17|R3=0|R4=0
|Home='''Tigers'''
|H1=13|H2=3|H3=3|H4=10
}}
<ref name="asuindians.com"/>
{{Clear}}

===Louisiana-Monroe===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road=Warhawks
|R1=7|R2=7|R3=0|R4=15
|Home='''Red Wolves'''
|H1=7|H2=20|H3=7|H4=3
}}

{{Clear}}

===Louisiana-Lafayette===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road=Red Wolves
|R1=3|R2=7|R3=3|R4=10
|Home='''Ragin’ Cajuns'''
|H1=0|H2=7|H3=7|H4=14
}}

{{Clear}}

===Alabama===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road=Red Wolves
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0
|Home='''Crimson Tide'''
|H1=7|H2=7|H3=14|H4=7
}}
<ref name="asuindians.com"/>
{{Clear}}

===FIU===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road=Red Wolves
|R1=|R2=|R3=|R4=
|Home='''Golden Panthers'''
|H1=|H2=|H3=|H4=
}}
{{Clear}}

===Florida Atlantic===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road=Owls
|R1=|R2=|R3=|R4=
|Home='''Red Wolves'''
|H1=|H2=|H3=|H4=
}}
{{Clear}}

===North Texas===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road='''Red Wolves'''
|R1=|R2=|R3=|R4=
|Home=Mean Green
|H1=|H2=|H3=|H4=
}}

{{Clear}}

===Troy===
{{Linescore Amfootball|
|Road=Red Wolves
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=9
|Home='''Trojans'''
|H1=7|H2=14|H3=0|H4=14
}}
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Arkansas State Red Wolves football navbox}}

[[Category:2008 Sun Belt Conference football season|Arkansas State]]
[[Category:Arkansas State Red Wolves football seasons]]
[[Category:2008 in sports in Arkansas|Arkansas State Red Wolves football]]