Know the Opponent: Arkansas State Red Wolves
By Mike Vamosi
The Arkansas State Red Wolves are the next team up on our list, are coming off a 10-3/8-0 Sun Belt. When they open the season September 1 at Autzen Stadium at 9:30 pm against Oregon it’ll be Gus Malzahn’s debut as head coach.
Hugh Freeze who parlayed last year into the head job at Ole Miss left behind a far amount of talent for Malzahn who was Auburn’s offensive coordinator. Senior quarterback Ryan Aplin is coming off a season which he 3,588 throwing 19 touchdowns included were 16 interceptions.
Aplin was also the team’s leading rusher last season rushing for 588 yards and reached the endzone 10 times. Sophomore Frankie Johnson the third leading rusher last year will be the primary back after a 355 yards on 88 carries with six scores, which was second on the team.
The Red Wolves lose its leading receiver from a season ago but bring back five of their top six receivers. Senior Taylor Stockemer second on last year’s team with 756 yards, seven TD’s plus averaged a team high 15.8 yards a catch. Fellow senior Josh Jarboe third on the team last season had 730 yards scoring twice.
On defense Arkansas State loses their top two leading tacklers so senior’s linebacker Nathan Herrold and strong safety Don Jones look to lead the way. Herrold had 66 tackles with 1.5 sacks in addition to two tackles for loss. Jones produced 54 tackles, 5.5 TFL’s, three pass break-ups with a interception and sack.
Usually an afterthought the Sun Belt should be pretty competitive this season so repeating their 8-0 conference record of last season might be in jeopardy. Outside of conference games they’ve got high profiled road games at Oregon to open then a trip to Lincoln, Nebraska. The Red Wolves should make it to back-to-back bowl games plus be in the thick for the conference title.
2012 Arkansas State Red Wolves Schedule –
@Oregon 9/1
Memphis 9/8
@Nebraska 9/15
Akron State 9/22
Western Kentucky 9/29
@Florida International 10/4
South Alabama 10/13
@Louisiana-Lafayette 10/23
@North Texas 11/3
Louisiana-Monroe 11/8
@Troy 11/17
Middle Tennessee 12/1
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