FACTS & STATS: Site: ASU Stadium (30,406) -- Jonesboro, Arkansas. Television: None. Home Record: FAU 3-1, ASU 3-1. Away Record: FAU 2-4, ASU 1-4. Neutral Record: FAU 0-0, ASU 0-0. Conference Record: FAU 3-2, ASU 2-2. Series Record: Florida Atlantic leads, 2-1.

GAME NOTES: The Florida Atlantic Owls will try to remain in the win column when they battle the Arkansas State Red Wolves in a Sun Belt Conference battle at ASU Stadium. After starting the season with five losses in their first six games, the Owls have caught fire, winning four consecutive games. The last time FAU was on the field the team grabbed a 40-29 victory over UL-Lafayette. After this matchup the Owls will close out their regular season at Dolphin Stadium against Florida International. As for the Red Wolves, they have hit a rough patch in their schedule, losing four of their last five games, including three in a row. The last time Arkansas State was on the field the team suffered a heartbreaking, 22-21 setback to Florida International. The Red Wolves only have four wins on the year, but three of those victories have come at ASU Stadium. In terms of the all-time series between the two schools, the Owls hold a slim 2-1 edge over the Red Wolves.

The Owls have been mediocre at best offensively, as the team heads into this contest averaging 391.5 total ypg, but that has led to just 23.1 ppg. The majority of the team's success has come from the passing attack which is averaging 242.1 ypg, and out of the 29 touchdowns scored by FAU, 17 have come through the air. Rusty Smith has thrown for 2,333 yards on the season, and has 16 touchdowns, but has also tossed 12 interceptions. The ground game has been paced by Charles Pierre, as the tailback is leading the team with 843 yards and six scores on 7.1 ypc. The offense was clicking on all cylinders in the team's recent matchup against UL-Lafayette, as the Owls racked up 523 total yards in the 11-point. Smith was outstanding in the win, as the quarterback threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Pierre also had a solid showing in the win, as the tailback rushed for 109 yards and one touchdown on just 10 totes.

The one glaring area of concern for FAU has come against the run, as the team is surrendering 188.1 rushing ypg, and out of the 33 touchdowns allowed by this unit, 19 have come on the ground. Overall this unit comes into this matchup allowing 383.1 total ypg, and that has led to an equally poor 27.4 ppg. The Owls have been unable to make many big plays this season, forcing just 16 turnovers, while collecting only 10 sacks. The defense struggled against the run once again in the matchup against ULL, as the unit was gashed for 228 yards on 4.9 ypc. However, despite the poor performance the Owls were able to grab an 11-point win. Florida Atlantic was able to forced four turnovers in the contest, and also collected a sack. Frantz Joseph led the way with 14 tackles for FAU, while Corey Small and Andre Clark both chipped in with 10 stops apiece.

The Red Wolves have used a heavy dose of their ground game this year, as the team is averaging a solid 209.9 ypg on 5.3 ypg. Out of the 26 touchdowns scored by ASU, 14 have come via the run. Reggie Arnold and Derek Lawson have been a tenacious duo for ASU, as Arnold has rushed for 740 yards and four scores, while Lawson has rumbled for 607 yards and four TDs as well. The last time ASU was on the field the team gashed FIU for 222 rushing yards and two scores, but still fell to the Golden Panthers by a one-point margin. Arnold led the way for the Red Wolves, while quarterback Corey Leonard and Lawson both scored a touchdown on the ground. Leonard also threw for 149 yards and one score, but was intercepted once and sacked five times.

Throughout the season the defense for ASU has put forth a strong showing, limiting teams to just 346.1 total ypg, and that has led to 23.1 ppg. The Red Wolves have allowed 14 rushing TDs on the year, but the defense has really struggled against the pass, allowing 215.8 ypg through the air. ASU has only forced 19 turnovers on the season, but the team has done a solid job pressuring the quarterback, racking up 24 sacks on the year. In the recent loss to FIU, the defense was torched through the air, allowing 359 yards and one touchdown. Ben Owens led the way for ASU with eight tackles, while Daylan Walker contributed six stops.

The Red Wolves recent struggles could be a problem for the team in this matchup, as the Owls soar into Jonesboro clicking on all cylinders. Expect FAU to continue its strong play en route to bowl eligibility.