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Michigan football opponent preview: Arkansas State

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Michigan football opponent preview: Arkansas State


Arkansas State is out to its first 2-0 start in a long time under former Tennessee head coach Butch Jones. The Red Wolves have been in some shootouts so far this year with both Central Arkansas and Tulsa. But Arkansas State has found ways to win both games and the Red Wolves are entering the Big House this weekend.

Michigan, on the other hand, is coming off of a big loss to Texas last weekend. The Wolverines are hoping to right their wrongs against an undermatched Arkansas State team. The Red Wolves may come from the Sun Belt, but as Jones said earlier this week, his team is going to dig, watch the Texas tape, and see if his team has any sort of advantage they can use on Saturday.

Saturday will make the first-ever matchup between the two programs. The game will be aired on Big Ten Network and will kick at Noon ET.

Here are some stats to look at along with some noteable Arkansas State players to watch.

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2024 stat comparison:

Scoring offense: Michigan (103rd) 21 PPG — Arkansas State (68th) 31 PPG

Scoring defense: Michigan (70th) 20.5 PPG — Arkansas State (102nd) 27.5 PPG

Passing offense: Michigan (113th) 162.5 YPG — Arkansas State (37th) 286 YPG

Passing defense: Michigan (98th) 240.5 YPG — Arkansas State (70th) 198 YPG

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Rushing offense: Michigan (101st) 114 YPG — Arkansas State (85th) 140.5 YPG

Rushing defense: Michigan (25th) 76 YPG — Arkansas State (115th) 199 YPG

Total offense: Michigan (120th) 276.5 YPG — Arkansas State (52nd) 426.5 YPG

Total defense: Michigan (70th) 316.5 YPG — Arkansas State (100th) 397 YPG

Turnovers Lost: Michigan 4 — Arkansas State 4

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Turnovers Gained: Michigan 2 — Arkansas State 2

Sacks Allowed: Michigan 2 — Arkansas State 4

Sacks: Michigan 3 — Arkansas State 2

2024 PFF comparison:

Overall grade: Michigan (63rd) 81.2 — Arkansas State (108th) 69.4

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Offense: Michigan (70th) 70.7 — Arkansas State (109th) 64.0

Passing: Michigan (40th) 78.1 — Arkansas State (108th) 62.0

Pass block: Michigan (117th) 55.0 — Arkansas State (102nd) 60.7

Running: Michigan (46th) 77.2 — Arkansas State (87th) 69.9

Run block: Michigan (45th) 67.1 — Arkansas State (100th) 57.6

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Defense: Michigan (92nd) 70.3 — Arkansas State (117th) 64.8

Run defense: Michigan (43rd) 79.5 — Arkansas State (114th) 65.7

Pass rush: Michigan (45th) 69.7 — Arkansas State (72nd) 65.5

Coverage: Michigan (114th) 60.5 — Arkansas State (115th) 60.2

Top Arkansas State players to know:

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QB Jaylen Raynor: Raynor is a true dual-threat athlete at quarterback for the Red Wolves. He has thrown for 572 yards, three scores, and two interceptions through the air in two games. Raynor has also rushed for a team-high 122 yards and two scores on the ground. Raynor will test the Michigan linebackers on Saturday.

RB Zak Wallace: As important as Raynor is to the Arkansas State ground game, Wallace is a major part as well. The true bell-cow of the running backs, Wallace has run for 119 yards and two scores for the Red Wolves. The read-option is a big part of the Red Wolves’ offense.

WR Corey Rucker: The 6-foot receiver has dominated the touches and yardage through the air. Rucker is the only receiver who has double-digit receptions sitting at 13 catches on the season. He has a whopping 239 yards and two scores for Arkansas State. Rucker is averaging 18.3 yards per reception.

DE Jayden Jones: The big 6-foot-5, 265-pound lineman has four tackles through two games. But he is leading Arkansas State with 1.5 TFLs and one sack through two games.

LB Charles Willekes: After a 90-tackle campaign in 2023, Willekes is back in 2024 and he’s already racking up the tackles. The linebacker is tied for a team-high 17 tackles in two games. Willekes also has a .5 TFL to his name as well.

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S Justin Parks: Parks is the best defender Arkansas State has and is tied with Charles Willekes with 17 tackles on the season. The hard-hitting safety also has forced a fumble for the Arkansas State defense through two games.

– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –

Three keys for Michigan football against Arkansas State

‘Do we have an advantage anywhere?’: Butch Jones speaks on Michigan in a Week 3 tilt

Ron Bellamy talks WR corps, gives insight on four Michigan WRs

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Michigan backup QB Colin Hurley no longer on roster

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Michigan backup QB Colin Hurley no longer on roster


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Michigan backup quarterback Colin Hurley is no longer on the roster. 

“Colin has departed the program,” Michigan football spokesman Dave Ablauf confirmed Tuesday. 

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Hurley, who has not yet played a game in college, transferred to the Wolverines from LSU. He participated in winter conditioning and spring practice, which is ongoing. 

Head coach Kyle Whittingham had said Bryce Underwood, who started every game last season as a freshman, is the starting quarterback.

Whittingham also praised early enrolled freshman Tommy Carr when asked early in spring practice about who might be the backup. 

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Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, a graduate transfer from Colorado State, is expected to arrive in Ann Arbor this summer. He has started 27 games.

achengelis@detroitnews.com

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Scouting the Pioneers: Three Denver Threats Michigan Must Neutralize in Las Vegas

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Scouting the Pioneers: Three Denver Threats Michigan Must Neutralize in Las Vegas


Michigan must shut down Pohlkamp’s offensive blue line presence, Lorenz’s momentum-building play, and Hicks’ rookie goaltending to advance.

Video Transcript

Give me, yeah, give me like 30 seconds to a minute.

Give me, yeah, give me like 30 seconds to a minute.

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obviously their overall record, Michigan, let’s see here.

obviously their overall record, Michigan, let’s see here.

They’re running right now at 22 and 4, I think.

They’re running right now at 22 and 4, I think.

They’re 10 and 2 at home.

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They’re 10 and 2 at home.

They’re on a six-game win streak.

They’re on a six-game win streak.

and in conference right now they’re 13 and 3.

and in conference right now they’re 13 and 3.

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So they did play Michigan State twice already.

So they did play Michigan State twice already.

they split the series.

they split the series.

I think, the first game it was in Ann Arbor or whatever.

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I think, the first game it was in Ann Arbor or whatever.

They won the, against, in the opposite place, right?

They won the, against, in the opposite place, right?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

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And they split the series, so- Each home, each home team won a game, right?

And they split the series, so- Each home, each home team won a game, right?

That’s it, right.

That’s it, right.

Yeah, exactly.

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Yeah, exactly.

and so I was looking this up earlier ’cause I was looking up probably the most interesting stat ear- when I first, you know, the season started, Michigan was oh, way in ahead with the most goals overall for Division I hockey.

and so I was looking this up earlier ’cause I was looking up probably the most interesting stat ear- when I first, you know, the season started, Michigan was oh, way in ahead with the most goals overall for Division I hockey.

and I looked up again and I refreshed that and they’re still 26 games played, 125 goals scored, 56 goals scored against them.

and I looked up again and I refreshed that and they’re still 26 games played, 125 goals scored, 56 goals scored against them.

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That’s- I mean, that’s- Whoa.

That’s- I mean, that’s- Whoa.

That’s, that’s amazing.

That’s, that’s amazing.

That’s Yeah.

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That’s Yeah.

The next, the next best team is Quinnipiac, and they’ve played two more games and they have 115 goals and 62 goals scored against them.

The next, the next best team is Quinnipiac, and they’ve played two more games and they have 115 goals and 62 goals scored against them.

So- Wow I think, I think you got the top five teams are all in the Big 10 right now.

So- Wow I think, I think you got the top five teams are all in the Big 10 right now.

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You got Michigan, Michigan State, Western Wisconsin, and I think Penn State was up there, but I know they just lost two games to Michigan State, and then Gavin McKenna might be going to prison, so.

You got Michigan, Michigan State, Western Wisconsin, and I think Penn State was up there, but I know they just lost two games to Michigan State, and then Gavin McKenna might be going to prison, so.

Yeah, I saw that.

Yeah, I saw that.

That’s kinda crazy.

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That’s kinda crazy.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Anyways, but the thing about it is some of the players like Michigan has right now, Will Horkoff, he has Let’s see.

Anyways, but the thing about it is some of the players like Michigan has right now, Will Horkoff, he has Let’s see.

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He has the most goals.

He has the most goals.

He has 20 goals right now.

He has 20 goals right now.

TJ Hughes, he’s right behind him with 13.

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TJ Hughes, he’s right behind him with 13.

Michael Hage, another great player.

Michael Hage, another great player.

You’re gonna, guys You guys are obviously are, is familiar, so those are probably three of the names you’re gonna hear.

You’re gonna, guys You guys are obviously are, is familiar, so those are probably three of the names you’re gonna hear.

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Jayden Perron, one of the best defensemen.

Jayden Perron, one of the best defensemen.

His name’s Dakota, so you’ll probably hear him too.

His name’s Dakota, so you’ll probably hear him too.

but the way they play- Gotta sneak that in, huh?

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but the way they play- Gotta sneak that in, huh?

Yeah.

Yeah.

The, the way they play, their coach, Brandon Yarioto, he’s, he’s, he played at Michigan.

The, the way they play, their coach, Brandon Yarioto, he’s, he’s, he played at Michigan.

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He’s a great coach.

He’s a great coach.

They extended his contract.

They extended his contract.

Yeah.

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Yeah.

So you just kinda see the success just getting more and more.

So you just kinda see the success just getting more and more.

Their, their goaltender went down a few games ago, and he was phenomenal.

Their, their goaltender went down a few games ago, and he was phenomenal.

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Michigan lawmakers consider bills to require licenses for tobacco retailers

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Michigan lawmakers consider bills to require licenses for tobacco retailers


Convenience stores, smoke shops and even drug stores across Michigan often offer a wall of tobacco products behind the counter. Michigan is one of only eight states where retailers aren’t required to obtain a license to sell the items, and now lawmakers want to change that.

A package of House bills making its way through committee would strengthen regulations, seeking to protect minors.

“We know how potentially dangerous tobacco usage is, and that we need to prevent teens from starting in the first place, helping them to avoid a lifelong health challenges that are caused by smoking and vaping,” Rep. Bradley Slagh (R-Zeeland) said.

The package, a version of which already passed the state Senate, would require retailers to obtain a license to sell tobacco or nicotine products.

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It would also penalize those who sell to minors, from the cashier to the store’s owner.

“We license people that might give me a bad haircut, but we’re not going to license people selling tobacco, and increasingly more to our youth,” Jeff Griffith, of The Youth Connection, said.

The bills would further remove penalties for minors that obtain or attempt to buy tobacco products.

“There is no evidence demonstrating that these laws are effective in reducing youth initiation, use of or addiction to tobacco products,” Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit) said. “Research shows that African American and Hispanic youth were more likely to receive these citations. We do not want to increase interactions between young people of color and law enforcement.”

The 2023 Michigan Youth Tobacco survey found 29% of minors got their products through retailers.

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Only 9% of respondents reported that retailers refused to sell cigarettes to them because of age, and only 5% said the same for vapes.

According to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) data, within just the past five years, more than 3,100 enforcement actions have been taken against retailers for selling to minors.

Among them, five violations since 2022 at just one store, Deering’s Market in Traverse City. Last year, the FDA even sought a 30-day ban on tobacco sales at the store.

Under the bills, Deering’s would have been fined $10,000 and their license would have been revoked.

Two other stores, one in Ann Arbor and the other in Detroit, also received those orders.

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“They continue to operate and profit in the State of Michigan, while, as it was pointed out, the kids pay the price for the laws that criminalize them,” Jodi Radke, regional director for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said. “Today, Michigan kids are counting on you to place accountability where it belongs.”

Critics note mistakes are made and welcome regulation, but call the effort as a cash grab, with its $500 license fee.

They also point out the bills fail to address the 64% of minors who got their tobacco elsewhere, citing the 2023 survey.

“Quite frankly, we have little faith that based on our past experience with regulation enforcement and all these investigations we’ve seen that this is going to solve the problem of mom and dad and aunt and uncle giving smokes to kids,” Mark Griffin, president of the Michigan Association of Convenience Stores, said.

Supporters acknowledge the bills won’t completely solve the issue, but believe it shows Michigan is serious on the matter.

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