Xbox Bowl Takeaways: Arkansas State Holds On to Beat Missouri State

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It was explosive, it was ugly, and it was ragged, it was thrilling, it was the Xbox Bowl.

Arkansas State won 34-28, but it wasn’t quite as close as that. Missouri State scored late to make it tight in the final minutes, but the Red Wolves were in control the whole way, recovered the onside kick, and that was it.

Even with the 24 penalties and 31-7 Arkansas State lead going into the fourth quarter, it finished with a kick.

Here are five takeaways from the inaugural game, and what’s next in 2026 for both teams.

5 Takeaways From the Xbox Bowl, and What’s Next for Both Teams

Sep 14, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves head coach Butch Jones reacts on the sideline during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium.© Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

5. The Xbox Bowl was an extra game on a Thursday night

Okay, fine, so one of the best NFL games of the season was happening on that streaming channel while a last-second made-up bowl was occupying our time, but it was a bowl game on a Thursday night.

The game was never really in doubt, but it was a one-score game in the final two minutes. Take it and run. Missouri State kept on firing and made it worth watching late.

Fine, so the Rams-Seahawks game was a thing. But for those who stayed with it, your 2025 Xbow Bowl was a one-score game in the final two minutes because …

4. The two quarterbacks showed up

Missouri State’s Jacob Clark is a bomber, Arkansas State’s Jaylen Raynor is a veteran, and the both bombed away. Raynor and longtime Red Wolves star receiver Corey Rucker came up with a huge 71-yard touchdown to take over.

Clark made it a fight, chucking for 349 yards and four scores, Dash Luke came up with 169 yards and two scores, and … offense. In these types of bowl games, as long as there’s offense, there’s fun.

3. Don’t blame this loss on Missouri State not having its head coach, but …

Look, it’s not fair to blame any of this on former Missouri State head coach Ryan Beard leaving for Coastal Carolina, but could that have been a wee bit of a difference?

It doesn’t matter. It was still a winning season for the Bears in their first season in the FBS. They weren’t supposed to be eligible for a bowl game, this one was created, and they got to play more football. In every possible way, the season was a success.

2. What’s next for Missouri State going into 2026?

The Bears were loaded with transfers, and now it’ll be up to a new coaching staff to keep the success going with a new quarterback, a slew of new defensive parts, and lots and lots of transfers.

It’ll be a new look for the Bears, but the program is used to winning. They’ll get their share of transfers coming into what should be another fun offense.

Now the bar is set for (likely) new head coach, SMU offensive coordinator Casey Woods. It’s possible to come up with winning FBS seasons in Springfield. Just enough players will be around to do it again.

1. What’s next for Arkansas State going into 2026?

The Red Wolves will still have Butch Jones around.

That’s two straight seasons with bowl wins over Jones, it’s another winning season thanks to this performance, and even with a few key parts gone to graduation or the portal, there’s plenty of young talent back.

Getting back quarterback Jaylen Raynor would be a huge part of the puzzle. The defensive line will need some work, but the overall defensive depth is young and promising.

As long as most of the young offensive linemen who play in the Xbox are around, the Red Wolves should be players in the Sun Belt.

This story was originally published by College Football News on Dec 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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