Arkansas vs Arkansas State Football: The Truth About Why They Finally Played

It finally happened. For decades, the idea of an Arkansas vs Arkansas State football game felt like a myth or some forbidden fruit that Hog fans and Red Wolf supporters only argued about on message boards. But on September 6, 2025, the gates at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock actually opened for it.

People called it historic. Some called it overdue. Honestly, if you live in Arkansas, you know it was basically the state’s version of the "Cold War" finally thawing out.

The Razorbacks ended up winning that first-ever meeting 56-14. It wasn't exactly a nail-biter, but the score really isn't the whole story here. To understand why this game mattered—and why it took over a century to schedule—you have to look at the weird, stubborn politics of Arkansas sports.

The "Broyles Rule" That Kept Them Apart

Why did it take until 2025? Two words: Frank Broyles.

The legendary Arkansas AD and coach had a very specific philosophy. He believed that if the Razorbacks played other in-state schools, it would only help those schools recruit against the Hogs. He wanted Arkansas to be the state’s only "professional" team. By never playing Arkansas State, the Razorbacks maintained a sort of untouchable status.

It was a total branding play. If you don't play them, they can't beat you. If they can't beat you, they can't tell a high school recruit in Jonesboro that they're on the same level.

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But times changed. The "all-Arkansas" scheduling ban started to crumble a few years ago when the Hogs played UAPB. Once that door opened, the pressure to play A-State became unbearable. Fans wanted it. The state legislature wanted it. Eventually, Hunter Yurachek and the UA administration realized that keeping the wall up was making them look scared rather than superior.

What Happened in the 2025 Game?

When they finally met in Little Rock, the atmosphere was electric, even if the game itself got out of hand quickly. War Memorial Stadium was packed with a weird mix of Cardinal Red and Scarlet.

Taylen Green was the star of the show. The Arkansas quarterback put up massive numbers, throwing for 239 yards and four touchdowns, while adding another 151 yards on the ground. The Hogs' offense was just too fast for the Red Wolves' secondary. By halftime, it was 35-7.

• Total Yards: Arkansas racked up 630 yards.
• A-State Resistance: Jaylen Raynor showed flashes of why he's a top-tier Sun Belt QB, but he was under constant pressure from a physical SEC defensive line.
• The Crowd: Over 50,000 fans showed up, proving that the demand for in-state matchups is very real.

Arkansas State didn't just roll over, though. They played hard, but the depth of an SEC roster compared to a G5 roster usually shows up in the third quarter. That's exactly what happened. The Red Wolves were gassed, and the Razorback running game, led by Braylen Russell and Mike Washington, just chewed up the clock.

The War Memorial Factor

There's a lot of drama surrounding War Memorial Stadium. Sam Pittman hasn't exactly hidden his feelings about playing games in Little Rock. He’s been vocal about how it's a disadvantage for the team to travel away from their world-class facilities in Fayetteville to play in an older stadium.

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"I don't know that there's any advantage for us, in all honesty, to go to Little Rock and play Arkansas State," Pittman said before the game. He pointed out that it’s actually a shorter drive for the A-State fans coming from Jonesboro than it is for the Hogs coming from Northwest Arkansas.

He sort of has a point. But for the fans in Central and East Arkansas, this game was the Super Bowl.

Is This a Real Rivalry Now?

Kinda. It depends on who you ask.

If you ask a Razorback fan, they’ll say "We won by 42, it’s not a rivalry."
If you ask an Arkansas State fan, they’ll point to the 2025 women's basketball game where the Red Wolves actually beat the Hogs in Fayetteville. They'll tell you that the football gap is closing and that with the right recruiting cycle, they can pull off the upset.

The "rivalry" is mostly about bragging rights in the office or at the Thanksgiving table. It's about the kid from West Memphis choosing between a scholarship in Jonesboro or walking on in Fayetteville. That’s where the real battle is.

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What Most People Get Wrong

One huge misconception is that Arkansas was "scared" to lose. While a loss would have been a disaster for the Hogs, the real reason was always financial and branding-related. The SEC is a multi-billion dollar machine. Playing a Sun Belt team in-state doesn't help the Hogs' strength of schedule in the eyes of the Playoff committee, but it carries a massive "risk of embarrassment."

On the flip side, some people think Arkansas State just wants the "payday." While the check is nice, Butch Jones and the A-State staff actually wanted the chance to prove they belong. They use these games as a measuring stick.

Actionable Insights for Fans

If you're planning on following this matchup in the future, keep these things in mind:

• Watch the Recruiting Trail: Look for players who had offers from both schools. Those are the guys who play with a chip on their shoulder when these two meet.
• Monitor the Stadium Situation: Arkansas is moving more games toward Fayetteville. If you want to see this game in Little Rock, do it sooner rather than later, because the "Little Rock game" might not exist in five years.
• Check the Non-Conference Slates: These games are usually scheduled years in advance. Keep an eye on the 2026 and 2027 schedules to see if a rematch is locked in or if the Hogs are going back to playing out-of-state G5 teams.

The seal is broken. The 2025 game proved that the state won't implode if the two biggest programs play each other. It was a long time coming, and honestly, Arkansas football is better for it.

To keep up with future scheduling updates, check the official Arkansas Razorbacks or A-State Red Wolves athletic sites, as they typically announce non-conference contracts three to four years out. If you’re looking for tickets to the next potential matchup, joining the respective university's foundation or "booster club" is the only way to get priority seating before they hit the general public.