Closing out a three-game slate of bowl action on Thursday, the Arkansas State Red Wolves and Bowling Green Falcons go at it in the 68 Ventures Bowl. However, both of these teams may look a bit different than they did during the regular season thanks to opt-outs and the transfer portal.
Top Arkansas State Players Not Playing in 68 Ventures Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Red Wolves won’t be in action in the 68 Ventures Bowl.
- Timmy McClain, QB
- Rashod Dubinion, RB
- Carter Salzman, WR
- Reginald Harden Jr., WR
- Miller McCrumby, TE
- Brian Alston, DL
- Jourdyn Burruss, LB
- Dontay Joyner, S
- Brook Honore, P
For Arkansas State, their losses start at the top with QB Timmy McClain. However, unlike most who lost their quarterback this offseason, McClain was only their backup to starter Jaylen Raynor, and as long as Raynor stays healthy throughout this game, it shouldn’t be a loss at all for the Red Wolves.
Elsewhere, the Red Wolves’ next biggest loss is star safety Joyner. With seven pass breakups and two picks to his credit, he led the team in total plays on the ball this year. If Bowling Green is to get going on the Red Wolves’ defense, it’lll be because Joyner isn’t in the lineup.
Top Bowling Green Players Not Playing in 68 Ventures Bowl
Similarly, thanks to CFN’s Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, the Falcons expected to miss the game are easy to find:
- Terion Stewart RB
- Chris Edmonds RB
- Jaylon Tillman WR
- Alex Wollschlaeger OT
- Davonte Miles DL
- Alijah Williams EDGE
- Joseph Sipp Jr. LB
- Edward Rhambo CB
- Jalen Burton CB
For the Falcons, it’s a bit different from the story for Arkansas State. In fact, Bowling Green has two massive losses on each side of the ball for the 68 Ventures Bowl.
First up — it’s star running back Terion Stewart, who ran for 890 yards and six touchdowns on the ground this year. Stewart is a massive loss that may force the Falcons into a one-dimensional offensive attack.
Edmonds and Tillman won’t move the needle, but the loss of Wollschlaeger at tackle should also be more of a hindrance as well.
On defense, Bowling Green is set to be without their top playmakers. Sipp led the team with 75 total tackles while also recording six sacks, a fumble recovery, and two pass breakups.
The man who does it all at the second level was the heartbeat of the Falcons’ defense, but as he’s committed to Kansas, he will miss the action here. As will Rhambo, who was a great tertiary option at corner for the Falcons.
Sipp, however, is the biggest loss of all, and perhaps of any Group of Five defense playing in a bowl game this season.
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