ARKANSAS STATE 2014 YEAR IN REVIEW & OUTLOOK:
For the first since 2010, a head coach for the football program at Arkansas State is returning for a second season. In that nearly five year span, this program (who after the '10 season only had two seasons with six wins, a shared conference title and one FBS bowl appearance) went on to win 35 games, two outright conference titles and 4 straight bowl appearances (with a 2-2 record). That alone is a helluva accomplish, but when you remind yourself all that came with constant coaching changes season after season is truly remarkable. Despite having the lowest win total in three seasons (seven) and losing the Godaddy bowl by nearly three touchdowns, the fact that head man Blake Anderson is back with his entire coaching staff (yes even Trooper Taylor) is a fantastic achievement for this Red Wolves program that has been longing for some sort of personnel stability.
All in all, this was a somewhat let down of a season; Injuries certainly played a very negative role, with 11+ freshman at one point having to play late into the year, but most knew that sooner or later that despite the incredible accomplishments achieved with so many coaching changes, a set back would finally catch up to the team, and it did in the '14 season. However, their were still fantastic moments and wins to go along with some tough and rather embarrassing moments. Let's dive into what was the 2014 season and we'll preview what's to come in '15.
Best Win: Utah State
To begin, let me first off point out that the Sunbelt was simply TERRIBLE in out of conference play in '14; the league combined went 11-29 in the regular season (losses coming from the likes of Abilene Christian over Troy and Liberty over Appalachian State). In fact, the Red Wolves gritty, come from behind overtime victory over the Aggies along with Texas State's overtime victory at Tulsa were the only FBS victories for the SBC. Despite the Aggies losing stud QB Chuckie Keeton early, Utah State were contending for the Mountain West all season and won 8 of their last 10 games after their defeat in Jonesboro. Though the offense struggled mightily for majority of the game along with ASU turning the ball over four times, the defense kept Astate in the game and an impromptu field goal block at the end of regulation gave the Red Wolves the momentum swing they needed to steal one in overtime against Utah State. The win gave the Red Wolves just their third regular season victory over an OOC opponent in four seasons (the other two coming from Memphis twice).
Worst Loss: Appalachian State
Quite honestly in my opinion, any of ASU's six losses of the 2014 season could've arguably made my pick for worst lost of the '14 season; the lack of execution in the Miami and Texas State blow out losses was certainly frustrating, the highly questionable coaching decisions in the shoot out defeat against the Cajuns certainly came close, but without a doubt the one that just truly had me angry and shaking my head was the shocking defeat at the hands of the young bloods, Appalachian State. Despite the final score, this game was a one sided affair; Red Wolves couldn't stop the Mountaineers stud RB Marcus Cox, who shredded Astate for nearly 230 yards on the ground and two TDs. App State was playing true freshman Taylor Lamb, who had a breakout game against AState (14/22 for 255 yards and an additional two touchdowns). Late into the game, the Mountaineers were comfortably in the lead 37-20; the Red Wolves at that point in the game had only mustered 251 total offensive yards and barely held onto the ball for just over 17 minutes. Then in a span of literally 2-3 minutes, forced a turnover, scored, recovered an onside kick, scored, nearly recovered another onside kick, got the ball back with a chance to win and came up short by five.
...It was without a doubt the most excruciatingly aggravating games I've seen this squad play since the '13 Memphis game. Blame it on what you will (oversight, lack of focus or injuries) it truly derailed what already little chance ASU had to repeat as conference champions.
Player of the Year: Fredi Knighten
Quite honestly, who else could it have been for Arkansas State? Despite 2014 being his first full season as the starting quarterback, the Pulaski Academy star was a three time, SBC offensive player of the week and was named to the first team, all Sunbelt Quarterback. He accounted for 3,469 yards in the regular season, fourth most in the SBC history. The offense truly worked around him; whenever he was on fire, so was the 'O'-when he struggled, likewise for the offensive unit. He still had a few too many turnovers in '14 (particularly the problem of raring back to throw and suddenly losing his handle on the ball), but if he can tweak and improve in the offseason, no doubt his final year at Arkansas State could be one for the record books.
Grade for Anderson's first Season: B-
While Anderson certainly didn't hit a home run and win the conference title like his previous three predecessors, the head honcho certainly showed swagger; always upbeat and confident, even during the back to back losses to Appalachian State and Texas State. Generally speaking, anytime you have a first year head coach end up with both an overall and conference winning record and having your squad earn a bowl game, it's a no doubt solid first go around. As mentioned, the losses to the Mountaineers at home, the shellacking the squad took from both Texas State and Toledo and the failed fake punt that basically cost them the game against the Cajuns did hinder on his final grade, the recruiting class he and his coaching staff brought in (many sites ranking them top of the class in conference) was absolutely phenomenal and at this point the sky is the limit for B.A.
BONUS: Best Social Media Moment-'The Fainting Goat'
How could I recall the 2014 season and NOT mention this play?? What was intended to prevent a penalty being called on Booker Mays (and perhaps throw some of the Miami players off guard...which spoiler alert!!! IT DID NOT) threw the Red Wolves into the national and media spotlight for weeks. While an argument could certainly be made that it's not the type of recognition you want, Blake and his team played it off well and like the old saying goes "exposure is exposure."
Expectations For 2015 Season
Once upon a time, many Indians/Red Wolves faithful could only dream of their team ever being successful. But as Terry Mohajir has stated, "This isn't the sleepy little program in northeast Arkansas anymore." Indeed ASU has come a LONG ways from the dark days of the 90s and early 2000s, and along with a the wonderful new Video board comes the much needed pressbox renovation and indoor practice facility that truly reflects the mass success and emphasis football has become at Arkansas State. With lofty achievements however comes even higher expectations and though Blake and crew still had a decent showing in 2014, it was still a step back from the previous three season. Red Wolves will certainly be expecting more than just another seven wins and a Godaddy appearance-no doubt for many if not most it'll be the SBC crown or bust for 15. The conference slate, while initially appearing daunting, certainly is manageable:
Conference Schedule:
Sat. October 3-Idaho (Homecoming)
Tues. October 13-@South Alabama (ESPN2)
Tues. October 20-Louisiana Lafayette (ESPN2)
Sat. October 31-Georgia State
Thurs. November 5-@App State (ESPNU)
Sat. November 14-@ULM
Sat. November 28-@NMSU
Sat. December 5-Texas State (Senior Day)
Now the first aspect that stands out is the three game road stretch in November-it's certainly going to be doozy of a challenge. The short turn around from the Georgia State game to traveling to Boone for the Thursday Night ESPNU showdown with the Mountaineers could easily be the make or break stretch for the success of 2015. However, their's a nine day lapse between the App state game and traveling to Monroe then another two weeks before they travel to Las Cruces to take on the Aggies. If the injury bug were to bite during that stretch, you'd think their be enough days to let the players heal and rest up.
The other two bowling SBC teams of 2014 (La La and USA) will be back to back national tv games. The Jags lost quite a bit on offense and despite it being on the road, Mobile really has become a "home away from home" for ASU. On the flip side, the Cajuns lose EVERYBODY and it 2015 maybe a rebuilding year for Louisiana Lafayette. Though the Cajuns have won the last two against the Red Wolves, after the near brawl the erupted last season against the two squads, no doubt Lafayette will be getting the full focus and attention of Arkansas State personnel.
As of now, with the talent coming back as well as returning the coaching staff, I think six conference wins is certainly doable. But their's one other aspect of the schedule we haven't discussed yet and that's the nonconference slate...
And boy is it a brutal OOC slate...
Sat. September 5-@USC
Sat. September 12-Missouri
Sat. September 19-Missouri State
Sat. September 26-@Toledo
The trip to the Coliseum could quickly turn into a brutal game. The Trojans ended the 2014 season with a 9-4 mark, capped off by a nice victory over the Cornhuskers. While the home game against the Mizzo Tigers will be a historic night in Jonesboro, least we forget that Missouri has won the SEC East Championship back to back years and has won at least 8 or more games five out of their last six seasons. The Bears have been a solid FCS program (and a potential SBC expansion candidate) and any Red Wolves fan is more than aware how explosive and dynamic the Toldeo Rockets can be. Furthermore the Rockets have been outstanding at home, going 22-6 the last five seasons.
Quite honestly, if ASU could somehow go 2-2 in the month of September, it would be a huge achievement.
Obviously a lot will change between now and September, but for my WAAAAAAAAY too early prediction, I'm thinking 8-5 regular season with a bowl bid somewhere BESIDES Mobile would be a good goal to aim for in 2015.
