In 1992 Arkansas State made its official return to 1-A(FBS) status after playing at the 1-AA (FCS) level since 1982. The 1-AA years were mostly good to the Indians as they compiled a 61-54-5 record in those years with the golden era falling between 1984-87. During that four year stretch the record was 37-14-5 with four consecutive playoff appearances and a berth in the 1986 1-AA national championship game against now Sun Belt mate Georgia Southern. So starting in 1992, playing as an independent before joining the Big West Conference in ‘93, the Indians made the move back into the big leagues.