68 Ventures Bowl Recap

The 68 Ventures Bowl was played on Thursday, December 26th at Hancock Whitney Stadium and pitted the Arkansas State Red Wolves against the Bowling Green Falcons. This is the second year for 68 Ventures to be the title sponsor of the game.

The Red Wolves of Arkansas State took home the trophy with a 38-31 win in the 2024 68 Ventures Bowl.

Arkansas State (8-5) used timely scoring, a smattering of special teams plays, and a late surge in rushing yards to edge Bowling Green (7-6). “It was a great win and means so much to our football program,” A-State head coach Butch Jones said. “The overall key to playing great defense was to tackle and play in space and we were able to do that today.”

Arkansas State quarterback Jaylen Raynor was named the game’s offensive MVP after posting 221 yards and two touchdowns on 18-for-30 passing. He also rushed for one TD himself.

Red Wolves safety Justin Parks, who made 10 tackles and forced a fumble, was named the 68 Ventures Bowl defensive MVP and Arkansas State’s Courtney Jackson, who scored the game’s first touchdown on a 60-yard punt return – the first in 68 Ventures Bowl history, was named special teams MVP.

Although the Red Wolves never trailed, the game remained close throughout

The first half featured a little bit of everything as the Falcons and Red Wolves took turns logging trick plays and special teams superlatives.

Arkansas State jumped out to a 10-0 lead with a 46-yard field goal and punt return.

Undeterred, the Falcons answered with a touchdown on a fake punt that Bowling Green orchestrated by sneaking backup quarterback Baron May, who wears jersey No. 18, into the game instead of punter John Henderson, who wears No. 19.

Arkansas State responded late in the first quarter with an 8-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 5-yard touchdown.

The Falcons, however, quickly pulled to within 17-14 of the lead with an 8-play, 77-yard drive in the second quarter.

But a 79-yard reception for a touchdown two minutes later extended the Red Wolves lead to 10 points.

The difference in the game was what the Falcons failed to do, specifically connect on field goals.

Arkansas State blocked a 43-yard attempt in the second quarter. Then the Falcons missed what would have been a game-tying 39-yarder in the waning seconds of the second quarter to send the game to the break with the Red Wolves ahead 24-21. In the second half, Bowling Green connected on a 38-yard attempt in the third quarter but missed wide left on a 32-yard attempt in the fourth.

Overall, it was a close and intense game well played by two equally matched teams. It was an honor to sponsor such a fantastic game!

68 Ventures executives want to express their appreciation to the staff of the Mobile, Alabama Bowl team for their hard work in being the backbone behind this game for over 25 years. These members include Jerry Silverstein, Sherrie Dyal, John “JT” Clark, Lexie Cantin and many others.

Photos for the evening were taken by Stephen Savage Photography.

During the broadcast, Lensea Film produced commercials for 68 Ventures capturing the company executive’s motivation and culture that goes into moving 68 Ventures forward. The commercials featured company leaders Nathan Cox, chairman; Adam Campbell, president; and Drew Dolan, CEO.