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It was the first time in three seasons the Arkansas State Red Wolves have started a new quarterback in the 42-24 defeat at the Memphis Tigers on Saturday. Trey Owens, a transfer from Texas, emerged from four candidates as the top quarterback for the Red Wolves after preseason camp. In his debut, he completed 21 of 30 passes for 325 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 55 yards, but 22 yards in sacks took away almost half of that. "The first thing you look at is the four interceptions and they were all catastrophic,'' said A-State coach Butch Jones. "But you know the body of work, you know this is a young man who is playing his first collegiate football game ever and I thought he did some really good things.  I thought a lot of good things to to move forward on. You know he probably hung on some first progressions.  he needs to learn how to progress on and and really extinguish a progression, he needs to get his feet and his pocket mechanics a little bit better but he also stood in there against a really talented defensive front and secondary and made some throws that we've never made here before." Chauncey Cobb led the Red Wolves' receivers with 6 catches for 75 yards. Hunter Summers had five catches for 98 yards and Jayen Bonelli had three catches for 42 yards. Kenyon Clay had the touchdown reception, a 73-yard play. Clay caught 2 passes for 85 yards. "I  thought our receivers did a really good job around him but it's taking care of the football and it's managing the game.  We have a really good field goal kicker and although you don't want to kick field goals you know three of those four interceptions we are already in field goal range, we have three points in our back pocket so I think it's all part of how to manage a game.  "I think those are all growing pains that you go through with an individual playing his first college football of his career and he'll be better for it.   There's nobody more who wants to do great than him and I have a lot of trust and confidence in him and I know he'll be better for these experiences that he's gaining along the way." The Red Wolves will open the home schedule on Saturday against West Georgia at Centennial Bank Stadium.