LITTLE ROCK -- Contrary to popular belief, Arkansas State has won big games before.

The victory Saturday night over Texas A&M was huge -- it was the program's first in 15 tries against the Big 12. But coach Steve Roberts isn't about to settle for one glorious weekend.

"I don't want to in any way diminish the magnitude of it for our kids and for our university, but I also have to remind them that it doesn't even come close to the wins that win conference championships and the wins that get you in bowl games," Roberts said. "Those types of things are more important in the long run than winning a nonconference game."

Roberts' reaction raises an interesting question. What's more satisfying? One big upset that earns national attention, or winning a conference championship in relative obscurity?

In 2005, Arkansas State won at North Texas in the final regular-season game to earn a share of the Sun Belt Conference championship. That victory sent the team to the New Orleans Bowl -- its first postseason game since 1987.

Last weekend, the Red Wolves took advantage of another trip to Texas, beating A&M 18-14 in front of over 78,000 in College Station.

Those two wins don't have much in common. In terms of surprise, it's no contest. Texas A&M is nobody's idea of a powerhouse this year, but the Aggies dwarf Arkansas State in tradition and prestige. That's why A&M was about a 20-point favorite.

Before the game, Roberts balked at any notion of a David vs. Goliath matchup. Last year Arkansas State was competitive in a close loss at Texas, so the Red Wolves had some confidence.

Reggie Arnold rushed for 145 yards, and the Red Wolves shut out the Aggies in the second half. Now Roberts can use this game as a selling point if he encounters recruits skeptical of the Sun Belt.

"It definitely helps every aspect of your program, from a confidence standpoint internally to a perception standpoint externally," Roberts said. "It should help in recruiting, the whole bit."

The victory was so big the school announced Sunday the game would be replayed on ASU-TV every night this week until the home opener Saturday night against Texas Southern.

But the question now is: Where does Arkansas State go from here? The Sun Belt schedule starts later this month, and on Sept. 27, the Red Wolves play at Memphis -- a much closer regional rival than Texas A&M. Arkansas State beat Memphis two years ago on a Hail Mary on the game's final play, then rallied from a 31-6 halftime deficit to beat the Tigers last year.

Those two wins belong on any list of the program's best.

Louisiana-Monroe coach Charlie Weatherbie can relate to Arkansas State's joy after beating Texas A&M. Weatherbie's Warhawks upset Alabama last year toward the end of the season.

Weatherbie doesn't expect a letdown from the Red Wolves. Quite the opposite, in fact.

"You try to keep as even keel as possible," he said. "It's one of those things you can draw from for the remainder of the year, I think."

Last year, Appalachian State stunned Michigan -- and the football world -- by beating the Wolverines to open the season. The Mountaineers went on to win the national title in the Football Championship Subdivision. After beating Delaware to win Division I's second tier, Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards said it best:

"Michigan didn't put a ring on our finger."

Roberts might end up using a similar slogan, because he'll happily trade last weekend's euphoria for a conference championship. Arkansas State can still top its Texas A&M shocker -- by beating Middle Tennessee, Troy, Florida Atlantic or whoever else is in the way in the race for the Sun Belt title.

"It's just a building block," Roberts said. "It's not the end of the tunnel."