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Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – I said in this column after the Memphis loss that I saw a lot of very good things from this year’s new version of the Red Wolf football team. If not for four turnovers, I believe ASU would have taken Memphis deep into the fourth quarter.
However, Saturday night’s 52-7 win over West Georgia did not feel quite the same. In the first half, the two teams were virtually tied for offensive yards. It looked like to me that West Georgia had plenty of running lanes and the short passing game looked awfully good. This from a team that is two years removed from Division 2 and got beat badly by FCS member Chattanooga and FBS member and conference USA defending champion Kennesaw State 47-0.
They appeared to hold their own against a more talented Red Wolf squad, at least for one half when the score was 21-7 with a pick 6 by ASU.
Now believe me …. I am all about winning, and the Red Wolves did so in convincing fashion. I’m just a little concerned, that’s all. So just for comparisons sake, I thought I’d look at their game against Kennesaw State and see how they did against them. The owls are our next home game.
Kennesaw State had 508 total yards vs 160 by West Georgia the Owls had 297 rushing yards to West Georgia’s 49. Each team had two turnovers. Now let’s compare …
The Red Wolves had 391 total offensive yards to West Georgia’s 246. Now needless to be said ASU had a pick 6 and a second interception and recovered 2 fumbles. That will have a major effect on total offensive yards. I only compare because I’m worried about our defensive line.
I only bring this up because TCU could hang some big numbers on us if the Red Wolves don’t get the defensive line and linebackers more involved in tackles at the line for no gain or a loss.
But there were plenty of positives. How bout Soloman Baggett … 8 carries for 70 yards in the second half. He is one shifty dude. And Kenyon Clay with his steady 50 yard performance. And Trey Owens was 13 of 17 for 135 yards passing …. Not eye-opening but solid. And Chauncey Cobb that with his normal, solid performance of four receptions for 54 yds.
As for our next opponent, the TCU Horned Frogs, they had an easy time with Gambling Tigers 63-7. They rolled up 676 total yards, 285 of those yards were on the ground.
But most importantly we won 52-7 . Football is played and won one game at a time. Saturday night wasn’t always pretty but the team and coaches did a good job to win big and never let the game be in jeopardy.
Which, by the way, is how it should be against a lower division team.
About the Author: Bob Troutt is a lifelong Jonesboro resident, Arkansas State University journalism graduate and longtime member of one of Northeast Arkansas’ most prominent newspaper families. A veteran of The Jonesboro Sun and a lifelong A-State fan, Troutt has spent decades watching—and caring deeply about—Arkansas State football.
