ARKANSAS STATE FOOTBALL 2013 SEASON IN REVIEW

Arkansas State 2013 Season in Review

Ahh....excellent picture/meme. Though some might say playing in yet another godaddy bowl might  becoming a very dull repetition, no one can deny that the Red Wolves have given a solid performance the past two showings. 

Yes I will be the first to be admit, I was somewhat...disappointed by the results of the 2013 season. Now don't get me wrong...still having a share of the conference title despite the whupping we took against the Cajuns and letting the game slip away against the HillToppers is pretty fantastic (dare I say miraculous). And like I said at the beginning, GoDaddy is definitely becoming less of a special surprise as same ole, same ole (You've got to keep in mind folks that on top of playing three straight GoDaddy Bowls we also played there again since Ladd Peebles Stadium is the home stadium for the South Alabama Jaguars).  But in what would turn out to be Bryan Harsin's only season with the Red Wolves program, almost immediately you could tell something wasn't....quite right. Despite the big plays on offense early on during the season all the way to almost midway through, their were moments where the offensive production sputtered; it seemed to lack thoughtful execution and even heart. In fact, until the second half began against the USA Jaguars AT Mobile, it almost felt like it would take a miracle for this team to get to six, seven wins. But we'll get more into that later on this blog.

Without further adieu, Here now is my recap, reaction and overall opinions on the 2013 Football season for the Arkansas State Red Wolves.

                                                             GAME 1: UAPB

Though virtually we ALLLLLLLLL knew what was going to be the outcome of this game, this game was still special as it allowed the opportunity to see two Division I instate schools to compete against one another. I mean no disrespect to Coach Monte Coleman and his Golden Lions program or constituents, but the fact is very simple and clear: The overall talent and skills of athletes in the FBS vs the FCS, despite both being technically Division I, is abundantly clear and if you didn't realize before, watching this game would've made that very noticeable. With over 670 total offensive yards, the Red Wolves simply ran over the UAPB Golden Lions. Four Red Wolves players had over 100 yards of rushing yards alone!! This game was over by halftime. 

                                                        GAME #2:Auburn

Going in, their was A LOT of hype, a lot of emotion and ultimately delievered...a lot of disappointment. Arkansas State was going to the plains of Auburn to face against their former prolific head coach, Gus Malzahn-the man who once claimed, "anyone who said I'm a one and done doesn't know me very well." This was the type of game that, on paper, seemed to be dreamed up by the cheesy made for TV movies and yet the second the Red Wolves came out of the locker room and onto the field, they were doomed even before the opening kickoff. To motivate his squad, Harsin elected for his squad to wear their anthracite jerseys that Malzahn had made for the team to wear to the 2012 GoDaddy Bowl before his sudden departure to Auburn...despite being the road team. Arkansas State was hit with two 15-yard penalties to open up both halves because of the lack of contrast their jerseys had. 

The Tigers simply had their way with Arkansas State, being too physical on both sides of the ball and though the stats would seem to tell a different tale, their was never any real doubt who would achieve the W that night. Though the outcome at the time was very disappointing for Red Wolves fan, no one could've forsaw the incredible run the Auburn Tigers would have that would carry them all the way to Pasadena for the National Championship. In hindsight, this wasn't as bad of a lost as it initially seemed.




                                                             GAME 3:Troy

 The Red Wolves did not have much time to sulk over their rather lop sided lost to the Auburn Tigers as Sunbelt Conference play quickly opened up for A-State in week three. This game was practically a toss up as it wasn't very clear who would have the upper hand in the match up. The Trojans had a thrilling week one victory over bitter instate rival UAB, followed by a blow out lay-up in week two against Savannah State. This would be their first real test of the 2013 season. As for the Red Wolves, one wasn't too sure how they'd fare against a squad that was of "similar caliber"-they blew out who they should've and lost to whom they should've. Arkansas State had bested Troy the past two meetings and historically had always had great success on national TV on weeknights.

  Despite having more total offensive yards, leading time of possession and completely bombarding the Red Wolves through the air, the key stat of the night was turnovers: Troy committed four, which allowed Arkansas State to score 14 points and to secure the thrilling win against the Trojans.


                                                           GAME #4:Memphis

 Mother of God...this game was absolutely atrocious. Without a doubt one of the worst, most baffling losses I've ever seen this squad sustain. The Red Wolves had dominated the recent series heading into this game, winning the last four out of the five. Going into this game, many felt confident that the Red Wolves would coast for a fairly easy win against the Tigers, as they headed into this contest 0-2, having lost to Duke and Middle Tennessee State. I'll make this quick and simple: Memphis wanted this game more. They executed flawlessly on offense, their defense simply stifled the ASU O, and it just never seemed like the Red Wolves could wake up from the nightmare that unfortunately was very real taking place within the Liberty Bowl.


                                                          GAME#5:Missouri

 Many were still shaking their heads, pounding their fists and utterly dreading this game in Columbia. What early on seemed like a possible winnable game for the Red Wolves suddenly seemed like a buzz saw of a match-up. The Tigers of Missouri had jumped to a 3-0 start to the season and definitely did NOT resemble their 2012 counterparts; their was more confidence and most importantly, more competence on the offensive side of the ball. For Red Wolves fans, their seemed to be no choice but to bit the bullet, close their eyes and hope that the homecoming match against Idaho would be before them.

 Surprisingly for three quarters and a half quarters, the Red Wolves actually held their own. The offense seemed at times very capable, the defense made the stops they needed and special teams undoubtedly did all they could to help the squad squeak a win. As I said at the beginning, theirs no doubt of the different skill level between FBS and FCS and in this case it must be said the athletic skill level with an SEC team vs a Sunbelt team was the difference maker in this match up. Missouri finally made the plays they needed late in the game and the defense forced a timely turnover to top the icing on the cake. 

Hindsight can be a bitter pill to swallow at times; in this case, it brings relief as who would've known the Red Wolves would take on the top two teams in the SEC in Auburn and Missouri. 


                                                          GAME#6:Idaho

 So here we were...homecoming 2013. Our 2-3 Arkansas State Red Wolves were fixing to do battle with (Believe it or not) former conference member and future conference member, the Idaho Vandals. Truth be told I was rather excited by this match up (I've always had a fascination with their home stadium, the Kibbie Dome), playing Paul Petrino and what was HOPEFULLY going to be a nice, cozy win. However, their was some hesitation in the back of my mind as the last time I had such aspirations and confidence the Red Wolves laid a humongous egg in Liberty Bowl Stadium. Despite the reservations, AstAte played very solid: Adadm Kennedy had a phenomnal night, throwing for over 370 yards, Four Touchdowns and quickly jumped out to a 31-7 lead. Though it seemed the Red Wolves let up on the gas peddle a little early, allowing the Vandals to score 17 unanswered points and get within seven early in the 4th before scoring 17 unanswered on their own to secure a dominant homecoming victory.




                                                       GAME#7:Lafayette

First off, the Ragin' Cajuns will NEVER be Louisiana in my eyes: despite their stubborn and annoying instance that they are in fact THE LOUISIANA Ragin Cajuns, you should know that until the University of Louisiana system (Which compromises of practically every Division I school in the state) approves and recongizes them as such, they'll always be THE Louisiana AT LAFAYETTE Ragin Cajuns...

With my rant being out of the way, the picture above just absolutely signifies the cluster **** of a night this game was. For two seasons, the league race had essentially come down to Arkansas State and Lafayette at some point, and both times the Red Wolves had knocked the Cajuns out of contention. You would've been a fool to think that Mark Hudspeth and his squad didn't have this game circled on the calendar and let me tell you what: they played like it. Much like the Memphis game, The opposing team essentially imposed their offensive will on the Red Wolves, holding onto to the ball for over 42 FREAKIN' minutes, compared to the Red Wolves 17:47. The Ragin Cajuns Defense didn't let Arkansas State ever into a rhythm, holding ASU to just 168 yards of total offense. Though you have to give credit to Lafayette for having tremendous game plan against the Red Wolves, it didn't help that A) Harsin's play calling, questionable many times throughout the season, finally showed how stale and predictable his scheming was. And B) As you can see by the photo, this first of many moments Adam Kennedy would be dinged up. 

Though the final score was only 23-7, to many this lost just seemed to not only knock out any hopes of a three peat as conference champions, but it also seem to signify the end of was already here. It would take a miraculous run and turn of events to turn this season around...



                                                     GAME#8:South Alabama

...And the run started here, and of all the places for it to but in Ladd Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. Though not at first. Again, the Red Wolves once again struggled on the offensive side of the ball, putting absolutely ZERO points on the board at all in the first half and being down 6-0. Two key things occurred during the halftime that potentially changed the whole outcome of the 2013 season: Number one, senior running back SirGregory Thorton gave a very impassioned speech and though we don't really know what was said, we're told it definitely was something Hollywood wish they had dreamed of. Perhaps the crucial moment was when Harsin handed over the offensive play calling duties to Eliah Drinkwitz, the co-offensive coordinator. With that, the Red Wolves came firing out of the gates in the third quarter and marched right down the field and scored a touchdown to take their first lead of the night, 7-6. The Jaguars wouldn't go down without a fight and a series of touchdowns and field goals were exchanged to make it a 16-10 game in favor of South Al late in the game. The last time the Red Wolves found themselves down a couple late in the game, they had crumbled and let Missouri run away with it in the end. This was an absoulute critical moment in the season; if their were to be any hopes of postseason play and even an outsiders chance at being conference champs, they would have to make the key plays and score. 

...And boy did they. A methodical, 75 yard drive that was capped off with a 3-yard run by Sir Gregory himself gave the Red Wolves a point lead with 3:29 left in the game. The D was able to hang on and secure a much needed road win, 17-16.



                                                               GAME#9: ULM

The Red Wolves were able to squeak by a scrappy Jaguars squad that were still in the middle of trying to figure themselves out (and though they would lose to Navy the following week, they would go on to win their last three games, including blowing out Lafayette).  However, this next game appeared to be a seemingly uphill challenge for the Red Wolves. The Warhawks were not having quite the year they had enjoyed back in 2012, having lost the first four of six games. However by the time both squads would meet on the gridiron, it appeared Monroe finally found their grove winning three straight against Georgia State, Texas State and Troy. On a wet and muggy night, many online predictions and sports personalities were confident that Kolton Browning would be too much for Arkansas State to overcome. The firs half, Browning didn't really look comfortable, often making poor throws and decisions. His only big highlight was the 59 yard bomb he threw up for grabs that his Wide Receiver came up with for a touchdown. For the Red Wolves, they actually seemed to be playing with some swag; though they started the game with a fumble and turnover and failed for a 4th down conversion attempt, the team still carried themselves with confidence and never appeared swayed by ULM's touchdowns they scored in the first half. With a 14-14 tie going into halftime, it appeared as though this game was going to go down to the wire...

 ...it absolutely did not. The Red Wolves came out and blanked the Warhawks, scoring 28 unanswered points and forcing two interceptions in a blow out win, 42-14. Every phase of the game seemed flawless: the offense executed brilliantly both in the air and on the ground, the defense only allowed 140 total yards and no points, and special teams pinned ULM deep for much of the night. For the first time since the UAPB game, the Red Wolves looked truly dominant much like a wolf after the kill. The Red Wolves, it seemed, finally found traction.



                                                     GAME#10:Texas State 
 
The newcomer of the league, the Bobcats of Texas State were looking to make statement in their inaugural year in the league. Having gotten off to a fast 3-1 start, they quickly lost footing and stumbled to a 6-3 mark on the season and heading to this game. The Red Wolves had finally started gaining some momentum and definitely needed this win to keep the train chugging along. The Bobcats wouldn't make it easy and hopped out to an early 14-0 lead. Arkansas State finally came clawing back and were able to tie it up before halftime, 14-14. 

Now curiously, Adam Kennedy, whom the game before had a wonderful performance through the air, only managed 96 yards passing for one touchdown the entire. However the rushing game obliterated Texas State's defense in the second half, with play calls being nearly 90% runs and running the ball over 130 yards in the second half alone. Again, the defense had a tremendous second half performance, shutting out the Bobcats and the Red Wolves improved to a 6-4 mark, and held to sole posession of second place in the league, still trailing the Ragin Cajuns. 

                                                        GAME#11:Georgia State

The Last two games of the season no doubt aged me by many years. Starting with this needless thriller against the other newcomers of the league, the Georgia State Panthers. While Texas State was having a respectable first year showing as a new Sunbelt member, it was not the case for Georgia State, as they limped into this game 0-10, losing by an average of 37 points a game. On a foggy and muggy Senior Day, it quickly became apparent the Red Wolves didn't have the same intensity as it had the last two games and the Panthers were not going to give Arkansas State an easy seventh victory. In the first two minutes, ASU scored with relative ease and jumped to a 7-0 lead. However, things quickly unraveled as the Red Wolves had an incredibly untimely fumble, held on downs twice, missed a field goal and gave up an 80 yard touchdown run that allowed Georgia State a 17-7 lead at halftime. 

 In a way it was mind boggling, though if you had known ASU Senior Day trends, then it shouldn't have come as a surprise as the team has historically performed pitifully on senior days in the past several seasons (including a heartbreaking loss to WKU in 2010 that secured Steve Roberts termination). The second half trend that had started with the South Alabama game luckily kicked into gear for Arkansas State right off the bat, scoring a little over a minute into the third quarter and then blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown to back the lead, 21-17. Georgia State didn't falter with the 14 unanswered points and both squads exchanged scores and lead changes. Adam Kennedy tossed a five yard touchdown to J.D. McKissic to up their score 35-27. Once again, the Panthers came up with the improbable big time play and scored on a 70 yard touchdown bomb to get within two, 35-33. The Red Wolves stopped the Georgia State two point conversion and barely held on for the win. Though many fans were outraged at how sluggish the Red Wolves played, many hoped this served as wake up call for the players that they needed to stay focused at the task at hand...executing all three phases of the game and winning.


                                                                 GAME#12:WKU 

These two programs don't like one another...at all. Since their first match as conference foes in 2009, these games have always been hard hitting, emotional and close. Believe me, I've been there for many of them during my time working for the Arkansas State coaches film crew. This was a pivotal game for both the Red Wolves and the Hilltoppers: WKU needed this win for their eighth win of the season and keeping their at large bowl bid a possibility whereas Arkansas State needed this win to keep up with the Cajuns, who later the same day would beaten by their bitter instate rivals, the Warhawks. Much like the Georgia State game, Arkansas State opened up the game with a phenomenal, 12 play 85 yard touchdown drive to take the early lead, 7-0. And then much like the Georgia State game, Arkansas State began to unravel and have a series of miscues that would haunt them throughout the game. The Hilltoppers furiously fired back, scoring 20 unanswered points; Adam Kennedy was knocked out of the game, having to bring the talented yet very unproven Fredi Knighten. It looked as though the Red Wolves were going to get beaten...actually blown out felt more appropriate. Yet Fredi seemed to bring with him to the huddle a sudden jolt of energy that sparked the offense to life, leading them down the field and scoring a BADLY needed touchdown to get back within six, 20-14. Both teams exchanged field goals and touchdowns throughout the second half. Brain Davis, in the late third quarter, nailed a 60 yard field goal to seemingly give the Red Wolves a 27-24. A critical holding call negated the attempt and Arkansas State punted, leading to Western Kentucky scoring to take a 27-24 lead going into the fourth. A trick play pass by J.D. McKissic to Julian Jones put Arkansas State back the lead, 31-27. With 99 yards to drive to score, it seemed as if Arkansas State would clutch a critical road win.

....then the hilltoppers converted on fourth down.
...then the Red Wolves got called for a personal foul, giving WKU an automatic first down.
...Then a pass interference was called on Arkansas State.
...Then a late hit, again called on Arkansas State.
...Then this occurred... 

 On a fourth and goal play, Willie McNeal came down with the go-ahead touchdown catch with ten seconds remaining in the game to give the Hilltoppers a 34-31 victory. It will without a doubt remain one of the most sickening moments I'll ever remember as Red Wolves fan. Though at the time I felt the squad was absolutely cheated by the 'zebras' (as my good friend affectionately calls the officials) but looking back on it, the Arkansas State squad was to blame for the loss. The offense and special teams early on, kept putting the defense in very bad situations. And even when the offense finally was able to put points on the board, the defense could not respond with timely stops (ESPECIALLY AT THE END). 

                                                      GODADDY BOWL

It was a heart breaking loss, and for many it was a crushing end to what was quite a tumultuous season. However the bowl gods that would be deemed one more game was in place for Arkansas State. Despite beating ASU and having a one game edge over the Red Wolves, the GoDaddy Bowl offered their bid to Arkansas State for the third consecutive year, basically snubbing the soon departing Hilltoppers (who will be joining Conference USA effective July 1st this year). With a third bowl game secured, it was only a matter of time before their opponent was named:

 Dave Letterman's Alma Mater, the Ball State Cardinals were going to be no easy pushover: BSU had had a phenomnal 2013 season, which was marred only by two losses: bizarre road lost  in non-conference play to North Texas and the de-facto MAC Western Division title game against the Northern Illinois Huskies. Coming into "The Port City" Ball State were no doubts the heavy favorites with a seemingly unstoppable passing offensive led by quarterback Keith Wenning. Indeed it was going to be a tall order for the Red Wolves to stop the 12th passing offense in the country, especially when you considered what took place the following days after Arkansas State accepted the GoDaddy Bowl Bid:

As the Kool-Aid man would say, "OOOH YEAH!" That's right...for the FIFTH time in FIVE YEARS, Arkansas State had lost another head coach and replaced him with a rising, offensive minded guy in Blake Anderson. And yet again for the second straight year, the team would have Defensive Coordinator John Thompson as Interim Head Coach. For many Vegas Odds makers and outside perspectives, the chips were certainly stacked against Arkansas State.

Which brings us back to this picture: Despite the odds seemingly against the Red Wolves, they came out fired up, quickly laying the licks onto Wenning-letting it be known they weren't scared of the throw and they were going to be gunning for him all night. After exchanging punts, the Cardinals finally scored first with a 9-yard touchdown pass. Adam Kennedy valiantly started the game and tried to make the plays the team needed, but it came very apparent that he simply couldn't keep playing on. With Kennedy benched, it all fell onto Lightin' Fredi Knighten to lead Astate to victory.



 Adam Kennedy                                                                             Fredi Knighten
 











Soon they jumped out to a 10-3 lead, but the Red Wolves finally put together an impressive 63 yard drive to tie up the game at halftime, 10 all. The play that sparked this 9 play drive came at the expense of the poorly nicknamed play, 'Hide the Midget' (Which for the record was the creation of the ESPN broadcasters, not ASU coaches lol).

 The third quarter turned into a defensive, field position battle where ASU scored the only points of the quarter, off of two Brian Davis field goals, giving the Pack a 16-10 lead heading for the fourth. However, the Cardinals were able to squeeze a field goal of their own onto the scoreboard, inching closer to ASU, 16-13 with over 12 minutes still left in the ball game. This is where the dramatics kicked in: After going three out and having to punt, Arkansas State forces Wenning to throw an interception and sets the Red Wolves in the redzone. However, Fredi returns the favor three plays later and after a 16 play, 80 yard drive Ball State scores a clutch touchdown to take the lead back, 20-16 with only 1:33 left in the game. The Wolfpack looked absolutely demoralized on the sidelines...

Luckily, the game is played on the gridiron:

In just over a minute, Arkansas State executed 5 plays and drove 59 yards to take the lead back, 23-20. Arkansas State players, coaches and fans were jubilant...however, the Cardinals still had 32 seconds remaining and the 16th  best scoring offense in the country. Converting a crucial third and long, Ball State quickly got past midfield, and with another Wenning completion got to the ASU 36 yard line. They were given extra yardage after Andrew Tyron was flagged for late hit out of bounds which set up the Cardinals for a seemingly easy, 38 yard field goal attempt to tie the game.

With that, the Arkansas State Red Wolves pulled off yet another exciting, improbable win against a top MAC opponent in the GoDaddy Bowl, ending the 2013 campagin 8-5 overall, 5-2 in conference play. With the Cajuns stumbling in the last part of the season, losing to both ULM and South Alabama, Arkansas State and Lafayette became co-conference champions of the league, securing the Red Wolves of a three peat. 


                                                 FINAL THOUGHTS

For some, they would call this another successful season. Others deemed it a disappointment or mediocre at best. Though I can't say either point is entirely correct or incorrect, what what I will say is their definitely seemed to be something lacking from this 2013 squad-they didn't convey the same swagger the 2011 or 2012 squads had. Yet you can't deny that overall the 2013 Red Wolves still had heart and facts can't be ignored: three consecutive bowl appearances, two bowl wins, two undisputed conference titles and co conference champs. Arkansas State has become a destination job in terms of making it to the big time, producing prolific and winning coaches. It appears talent is not lacking for the foreseeable future and much like Freeze, Malzahn and Harsin, Blake Anderson has an excellent resume and comes from a prolific offensive background. 

The lost of Markel Owens was a heart-breaking way to begin the 2014 year and though the impact of his lost has already been felt, the overall impact will only be known in due time. Though Owen's murder was tragic, the continued rise of the program still continues on with the ground breaking of the long awaited endzone complex finally occurring this winter. Indeed, 2014 will be yet another new beginning-not just for Coach Anderson--but for the Red Wolves football program as they begin their trek into the playoff era.




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I want to thank you all who took the time to read the inaugural blog. Hopefully as the 2014 college football season approaches closer and closer, hopefully my blogging skills and articles become much more improved and content will strike the interest of those whom stumble onto this.