ASU completes 2013 schedule, travels to SEC members Auburn, Missouri
SO RB Frankie Jackson
JONESBORO - Arkansas State has announced its complete schedule with dates and locations for its seven-game Sun Belt Conference slate, giving the Red Wolves six home games and a pair of nationally televised contests against league opponents.
The Red Wolves begin defense of back-to-back Sun Belt Conference championships when they host Troy on Thursday, Sept. 12. Their game against the Trojans will be televised on ESPNU and is one of their two midweek games slated for 2013.
New head coach Bryan Harsin makes his A-State debut Aug. 31 against UAPB in the Red Wolves' season opener at Liberty Bank Stadium in Jonesboro. ASU will carry an eight-game winning streak, tied for the second longest in the nation, into the season. Its game against the Lions will mark the second time over the last three seasons it has played an in-state opponent. It played UCA at home in 2011.
ASU will play Auburn, one of two SEC programs on its schedule, a week later on Sept. 7 before catching the Trojans at home. A-State will then play three consecutive non-conference games followed by six straight league games to close out the regular season. The Red Wolves will play road games at long-time rival Memphis on Sept. 21 and at Missouri on Sept. 28, but then have an open week before wrapping up their non-conference schedule with a Homecoming game against Idaho on Oct. 12.
ASU's game against Memphis will wrap up a two-game home-and-home series, while Missouri is set to play in Jonesboro in 2015 as part of a home-and-home deal signed this year. Arkansas State has played Memphis more than any other opponent in school history, and this year's game will mark the 58th meeting. Along with Ole Miss in 2001, Missouri will become just the second SEC opponent to ever play in Jonesboro.
Another open week for the Red Wolves follows their game against Idaho, and then they host Louisiana-Lafayette on either Oct. 22 or 23 in a game that will be televised by ESPN or ESPN2. A-State, which has played a school-record 10 televised games each of the past three seasons, will have additional TV opportunities that will be announced as they are finalized.
ASU will begin the month of November with back-to-back road games at South Alabama and Louisiana-Monroe on the 2nd and 9th, respectively. However, the Red Wolves close the month with two of three games at Liberty Bank Stadium against Sun Belt newcomers Texas State and Georgia State. ASU will host the Bobcats, coached by Dennis Franchione, on Nov. 16 and the Panthers on Nov. 23. They wrap up the regular season Nov. 30 at Western Kentucky, coached by Bobby Petrino.
The ASU Athletics Department will announce a number of special promotions and exciting new seating options for 2013 season tickets when they go on sale early next week.
2013 ASU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
AUG. 31 vs. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF (JONESBORO)
Sept. 7 at Auburn (Auburn,?Ala.)
SEPT. 12 vs. TROY* (ESPNU) (JONESBORO)
Sept. 21at Memphis (Memphis, Tenn.)
Sept. 28 at Missouri (Columbia, Mo.)
OCT. 12 vs. IDAHO^ (JONESBORO)
OCT. 22/23 vs. LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE* (ESPN or ESPN2) (JONESBORO)
Nov. 2 at South Alabama* (Mobile, Ala.)
Nov. 9 at Louisiana-Monroe* (Monroe, La.)
NOV. 16 vs. TEXAS STATE* (JONESBORO)
NOV. 23 vs. GEORGIA STATE* (JONESBORO)
Nov. 30 at Western Kentucky* (Bowling Green, Ky.)
*Sun Belt Conference Game
^Homecoming
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