2013 record:
8-5
Returning starters:
O-5, D-8, S-3
Avg. Pts per game:
29.2
Avg. Pts allowed:
26.2
STRENGTHS
Considering the Redwolves are bringing back nearly everyone in their two-deep at the second and third level there's no doubt that the strength of Arkansas State is the linebacking corps and secondary.
Arkansas State deploys a multiple-look defense that will utilize 4-3, 3-3-5 and 4-2-5 schemes. The leader of the unit is senior middle linebacker Qushaun Lee (5-foot-11, 225-pounds). He racked up 134 total tackles last year along with 6.0 tackles for loss, an interception and two forced fumbles.
Stats National Rank
Rushing offense 24 (205.7 YPG)
Rushing defense 80 (180.2 YPG)
Penalties per game 106 (7.23 PPG)
Kickoff returns 6 (25.18 per return) Lee is joined at the second level by Xavier Woodson (6-1, 214) who finished with 32 tackles. Only linebacker Kyle Coleman, who transferred to Arkansas Pine-Bluff to play for his father, isn't returning in the linebacking corps and secondary.
The defensive backfield literally brings everyone back and is led by senior safety Sterling Young (6-2, 193) and junior rover, a linebacker/safety hybrid, Chris Humes (5-11, 207).
The unit wasn't spectacular, giving up an average of 232 passing yards a game while opposing quarterbacks had an average of a 125.02 passing rating, nonetheless the unit will return everyone that mattered from a season ago and has depth to go along with it.
WEAKNESSES
On both sides of the ball Arkansas State will have to replace numerous starters and impact players on the line of scrimmage.
On the offensive line Arkansas State will return only two players with starting experience after losing several offensive line starters to graduation and All-Sun Belt Conference second team center Bryce Giddens chose to not continue his career due to concussions.
2014 Schedule
8/30 vs. Montana State
9/06 @ Tennessee
9/13 @ Miami
9/20 vs. Utah State
10/04 vs. Lousiana-Monroe
10/11 @ Georgia State
10/21 @ Lousiana-Lafayette
11/01 @ Idaho
11/08 vs. South Alabama
11/15 vs. Appalachian State
11/20 @ Texas State
11/29 vs. New Mexico State Arkansas State returns Colton Jackson, who started all 13 games last season at right tackle, and senior guard Alan Wright, who has 10 career starts along the offensive line, but he only started three games last season. And that's it.
Arkansas State will be using a lot of fall camp to find replacements for most of their offensive line throughout fall camp.
The story is similar on the defensive side of the ball. Gone is top defensive lineman Ryan Carrethers and his 93 tackles and four sacks.
Arkansas State will return two starting defensive linemen in end Chris Stone (6-3, 252) and tackle Dexter Blackmon (6-4, 286).
Freshmen and junior college transfers will be asked to play immediately for the Redwolves as only sophomore end Chris Odom (6-3, 234) and sophomore tackle Darrius Rosser (6-3, 284) return to the rotation besides the two starters.
But, the lack of depth is just the one of the of the problems along the defensive front. Last year's defense gave up an average of194 yards per game on the ground and that included two games where they gave up more than 300 rushing yards.
KEY PLAYER
As Arkansas State adjusts to a new, full-time quarterback and a new offensive line, they will be carried by two skill players; wide receiver, wildcat quarterback and return specialist J.D. McKissic (5-11, 193) as well as leading rusher Michael Gordon (5-9, 187).
McKissic was one of the best all-purpose players in the Sun Belt last season putting up 1,575 all purpose yards and scoring six total touchdowns, four receiving, one rushing and one kick return.
The redshirt junior had an even more impressive freshman campaign when he set a school record with 103 catches for 1,022 yards. Look for the Redwolves to get the ball in McKissic's hands in as many ways as possible, whether it's different screens, sweeps, direct snaps or downfield throws.
The last few seasons Gordon had been thought of as the change-of-pace back and last year he had only the third most carries on the team but led the squad in rushing with 779 yards. his 6.7 yards per carry average was one of the highest in the nation for players with more than 100 attempts.
Like McKissic, Gordon, who scored 10 rushing touchdowns last season and added one through the air, will be given the ball in numerous ways. Last season Gordon was deadly on sweeps and end-arounds but also showed good burst from the traditional running back spot.
With a new starter being broken in as Fredi Knighten (5-11, 189) takes over full time, he did rush for 347 yards and five touchdowns in spot-duty last season, both McKissic and Gordon will be asked to carry the offensive load early and often.
ONE MAN'S VERY EARLY TAKE
The big question for this Arkansas State team is can the lines of scrimmage hold up? They are replacing majority of the offensive line as well as two of its three best defensive linemen with very little experience help on the way. Sound familiar?
The Redwolves do have some very talented skill guys in McKissic and Gordon, but they will be asked to do a lot for this team as there really isn't anyone else at running back or wide receiver that has shown they can be a playmaker up to now.
Looking specifically at the Tennessee matchup, you'd have to think this is a game that should be a good test for Tennessee with the fact that both teams will be looking to solidify their line play. But, Tennessee is much bigger on both sides of the ball and you'd think more talented as well.
While there's been a lot of talk about how experienced Arkansas State's secondary is, they weren't great by any means. They didn't turn teams over very much, only recording seven interceptions, but they are deep.
Tennessee's skill guys will definitely test the secondary of Arkansas State and if the Vols offensive line can begin to gel it's hard not to imagine Tennessee scoring some points on a defense that gave up more than 30 points to half of its opponents.
Arkansas State may be able to put up some points on the Vols as well, with the way the team has struggled with running quarterbacks in the past and Knighten will do a lot of running.
But, Tennessee's young speed and athleticism should help in a game like this and it's hard not to believe the Vols will be double-digit winners in this one, even though it could be close at times.
