SportsDirect Inc. staff
Aug 31, 2013

Arkansas State 62, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 11: David Oku, Sirgregory Thornton, Michael Gordon and Fredi Knighten each rushed for 100-plus yards and at least one touchdown as the Red Wolves rushed for 509 yards in a dominant season-opening victory over the visiting Golden Lions.

Oku had 16 carries for 124 yards and two scores for Arkansas State, which led 48-0 at halftime after scoring touchdowns on each of its first seven possessions. The Red Wolves outgained Arkansas-Pine Bluff 672-173 in total yards and extended their winning streak to nine games.

Gordon’s 91-yard touchdown run highlighted a 34-point second quarter for Arkansas State and Thornton rushed for two scores in the third quarter to put the Red Wolves ahead 62-0. Oku, Thornton and Knighten had two touchdowns apiece for the Red Wolves, who visit Auburn and former coach Gus Malzahn next Saturday.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff, last season’s Southwestern Athletic Conference champion, was held to 12 rushing yards and eight first downs in its first meeting against the Red Wolves. Dezmond Beverly led the Golden Lions' offense with six receptions for 113 yards and quarterback Benjamin Anderson finished 13-of-26 passing for 161 yards.

While Arkansas-Pine Bluff converted just one of 15 third-down conversions, Arkansas State went 9-of-12 on third-down conversions and snapped a three-game skid in season openers. The game marked the debut of Bryan Harsin, who became the first coach to win his inaugural game at Arkansas State since 1979.