Arkansas State beats Florida Atlantic, 28-14

JONESBORO, Ark. (AP)—Corey Leonard tossed three touchdown passes to lead Arkansas State to a 28-14 victory Saturday over Florida Atlantic.

The Red Wolves (5-5, 3-2 Sun Belt Conference) kept their hopes for a winning season and a possible bowl invitation alive with the triumph. Florida Atlantic (5-6, 3-3), the defending conference champion, will need a victory over rival Florida International next Saturday to become bowl eligible.

Leonard tossed one scoring pass in the second half and Reggie Arnold added a score on a 5-yard run. Leonard, a junior, finished 19 of 27 for 280 yards. Arnold’s performance made him the No. 3 all-time career rusher for ASU with 3,022 yards, just 22 yards short of becoming No. 2 all-time.

Arnold is just 19 yards short of becoming fifth all-time in the Sun Belt Conference. With two games remaining, Arnold needs 110 yards to become the first player in school history with three 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

FAU scored on its first and last drives of the half to forge a 14-14 score at the break.

The first drive, which ended with Charles Pierre’s 2-yard run, gave the Owls the lead with 10:57 left in the first quarter. Warley Leroy’s PAT kick made it 7-0.

ASU’s Brandon Thompkins grabbed a 34-yard touchdown pass from Leonard at the 2:17 mark of the first quarter and Arrauco’s PAT tied the score.

Trevor Gillot caught a 28-yard scoring pass from Leonard as the Wolves grabbed the lead. Josh Arrauco’s kick made it 14-7 with 14:55 left in the half.

The Owls, with a last minute drive, tied the score on a 3-yard pass from Rusty Smith to Rob Housler with 10 seconds left in the half. Leroy’s kick tied the score.

Leonard hit J.T. Jordan with a 2-yard scoring pass on the first play of the fourth quarter as the Red Wolves built a two-score lead. Arnold’s TD came with 6:32 left in the third. Arrauco kicked both extra points.