Sterner Field Goal Led Louisiana-Lafayette Past Arkansas State
Tony Sterner secured a 23-20 victory for Louisiana-Lafayette with a late 37-yard field goal.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Football
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Louisiana-Lafayette defeated Arkansas State 23-20 on October 3, 2026, following a decisive 37-yard field goal by Tony Sterner on the final play. The win moves Louisiana-Lafayette to a 4-1 record while Arkansas State falls to 2-3.
Why it matters
The narrow victory maintains Louisiana-Lafayette's momentum during the early season as they continue to build on a winning record. Conversely, the loss puts additional pressure on Arkansas State as they prepare for their next conference matchup.
Louisiana-Lafayette quarterback Winfield completed 18 of 21 passes for 189 yards, while Arkansas State quarterback Owens recorded 206 passing yards. Winfield also added 64 rushing yards on 14 carries, while Garner contributed 78 yards on seven attempts.
The players
Tony Sterner
He is the kicker for the Louisiana-Lafayette football team who successfully converted the game-winning field goal.
Winfield
He is the quarterback for the Louisiana-Lafayette football team who led the final scoring drive.
Kristion Brooks
He is a player for Louisiana-Lafayette who caught a pivotal 14-yard pass to set up the winning field goal.
Garner
He is a running back for the Louisiana-Lafayette football team who gained 78 rushing yards in the game.
Owens
He is the quarterback for Arkansas State who recorded 206 passing yards during the contest.
The details
The game-winning score followed a methodical 72-yard drive by Louisiana-Lafayette that spanned 13 plays and 3:54 of game time. A critical 14-yard completion to Kristion Brooks late in the drive positioned Sterner to kick the game-winning field goal.
Timeline
October 3, 2026: Louisiana-Lafayette defeated Arkansas State 23-20.
Season Trajectory
This victory elevates Louisiana-Lafayette to a 4-1 record, positioning them favorably in the early stages of their conference schedule. The outcome significantly impacts the playoff picture for both programs as they look to define their standings heading into the mid-season.
The 23-20 final score highlights the efficiency of Louisiana-Lafayette's two-minute offense during the final 72-yard drive. Winfield's high completion percentage of 85.7% on 18 of 21 passing indicates a highly disciplined performance under pressure.
The takeaway
Close games are often decided by efficient clock management and successful late-game field goal execution. Teams that prioritize methodical drive development in the final minutes significantly improve their chances of securing narrow victories.
What happens next
Arkansas State is scheduled to host South Alabama on Thursday, and Louisiana-Lafayette will play at Louisiana Tech on Saturday.
Further reading
For more on the team's progress, visit the Football section.
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