Jerry Scott Assistant Athletic Director / Sports Information Dir. [email protected]870-972-3405 870-243-6021 (cell) 870-972-3367 fax Arkansas State Quick Facts Location: Jonesboro, Arkansas Enrollment: 10,869 Nickname: Red Wolves Colors: Scarlet and Black Stadium: ASU Stadium (30,406/ProGreen) Conference: Sun Belt Head Coach: Steve Roberts (7th Year) Overall Record: 82-74-1 (16 Years) Record at ASU: 33-41 (7 Years) 2008 Arkansas State Schedule Aug. 30 at Texas A&M W, 18-14 Sept. 6 Texas Southern W, 83-10 Sept. 13 Southern Miss 6 p.m. Sept. 20 Middle Tennessee* 6 p.m. Sept. 27 at Memphis 1 p.m. Oct. 11 Louisiana-Monroe* (TV) 6 p.m. Oct. 18 at Louisiana-Lafayette* 6 p.m. Nov. 1 at No. 11/16 Alabama (TV) TBA Nov. 8 at Florida International* 6 p.m. Nov. 22 Florida Atlantic* (TV) 2 p.m. Nov. 29 at North Texas* 1 p.m. Dec. 6 at Troy* (TV) 6 p.m. 2008 Southern Miss Schedule Aug. 30 Louisiana-Lafayette W, 51-21 Sept. 6 at No. 9/9 Auburn L, 13-27 Sept. 13 at Arkansas State 6 p.m. Sept. 20 Marshall* 2:30 p.m. Oct. 4 UTEP* 6 p.m. Oct. 11 Boise State 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at Rice* 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at Memphis* 7 p.m. Nov. 1 UAB* 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at UCF* 2:30 p.m. Nov. 15 No. 14/20 East Carolina* 2 p.m. Nov. 29 at SMU* 2 p.m. *Conference USA game All Times Central Radio: Arkansas State Radio Network KFIN, 107.9 FM (flagship) Matt Stolz (play-by-play), Bill Keedy (analyst) Television: Oct. 11 vs. Louisiana-Monroe ESPN Plus Nov. 1 at Alabama CSS Nov. 22 vs. Florida Atlantic ESPN Plus Dec. 6 at Troy ESPN Plus ON TAP: The Arkansas State football team, off to its first 2-0 start since 1986, hosts Southern Miss Saturday in the second of three consecutive home games for the Red Wolves. Every Arkansas State game can be heard live on 107.9 FM in the Jonesboro area and the live radio broadcast can be accessed through the Arkansas State athletic Web site (astateredwolves.com). THE PRINCIPALS: Arkansas State defeated Texas A&M in its season opener, claiming its first victory over a BCS school since it became an NCAA FBS member, and then defeated Texas Southern by 73 points in its home opener for its second largest margin of victory in school history. Southern Miss knocked off Louisiana- Lafayette 51-21 in its season and home opener before falling to No. 9 Auburn on the road by just 14 points, 27-13. HEAD COACH STEVE ROBERTS: Arkansas State head coach Steve Roberts is in his seventh year at Arkansas State after leading the Red Wolves to the 2005 Sun Belt Conference Championship and their most single-season wins over NCAA FBS oppo- nents in 2006. During his first six seasons as the Red Wolves’ head coach, he guided ASU to 31 wins for its most over a six-year span at the school since 1986-1991. Roberts was named the 2005 Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year. Under Roberts, the Red Wolves have had 53 All-Sun Belt Conference selections, an Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year, SBC Offensive Player of the Year, SBC Defensive Player of the Year and SBC Newcomer of the Year. ROBERTS CLIMBING VICTORIES LADDER: In his first six-plus seasons as the Red Wolves head coach, Steve Roberts already has the fifth most victo- ries among ASU's 26 all-time head coaches with 33 wins. Larry Lacewell (1979-89) holds the record for victories with 69 and is followed by Bennie Ellender (1963-70) with 52 wins, Bill Davidson (1971-78) with 51 and Forrest England (1946-53) with 49. DEBUT OF THE RED WOLVES: The Arkansas State football team is competing in its first season as the Red Wolves after changing its nickname and mascot from Indians at the conclusion of the 2007-08 athletic seasons. More information on the Red Wolves mascot and logos, as well as the change in names can be found on page 171 of the 2008 ASU Football Media Guide. THE ARKANSAS STATE - SOUTH- ERN MISS SERIES: Southern Miss leads GAME 3 Arkansas State (2-0) hosts Southern Miss (1-1) September 13, 2008 ASU Stadium (30,406) Jonesboro, Arkansas 6:00 p.m. Radio: Arkansas State Radio Network (KFIN 107.9 FM, flagship) Television: JumpTV Webcasting (astateredwolves.com) 2008 Arkansas State Football 1 astateredwolves.com ARKANSAS STATE FOOTBALL ARKANSAS STATE GAME WEEK MEDIA SCHEDULE Sun., Sept. 7: 6:00 p.m. practice open to the media. Coaches and players available after practice. Mon., Sept. 8: Sun Belt Conf. Teleconference begins at 10:30 a.m. No practice. Tue., Sept. 9: 3:30 p.m. practice open to the media. Coaches and players available after practice. ASU notes package released. Also available on astateredwolves.com Wed., Sept. 10: 11:00 a.m. ASU Press Conference w/Coach Roberts. ASU Football Facility. Sun Belt Conference television satellite feed begins at 2:15 p.m. 3:30 p.m. practice open to the media. Coaches and players available after practice. Thu., Sept. 11: 11:30 a.m. ASU Press Conference w/Coach Roberts at Little Rock National Airport (Central Flying Services, North Terminal) 3:30 p.m. practice open to the media. Last opportunity during game week for players. Fri., Sept. 12: Closed practice. No player availability. Sat., Sept. 13: Game Day. Coaches and players available after the game.
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ARKANSAS STATE FOOTBALL · Oct. 11 vs. Louisiana-Monroe ESPN Plus Nov. 1 at Alabama CSS Nov. 22 vs. Florida Atlantic ESPN Plus Dec. 6 at Troy ESPN Plus ON TAP:The Arkansas State football
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Jerry Scott Assistant Athletic Director / Sports Information Dir. [email protected] 870-972-3405 870-243-6021 (cell) 870-972-3367 fax� � � � �
Arkansas State Quick FactsLocation: Jonesboro, ArkansasEnrollment: 10,869Nickname: Red WolvesColors: Scarlet and BlackStadium: ASU Stadium (30,406/ProGreen)Conference: Sun BeltHead Coach: Steve Roberts (7th Year)Overall Record: 82-74-1 (16 Years)Record at ASU: 33-41 (7 Years)
2008 Arkansas State ScheduleAug. 30 at Texas A&M W, 18-14Sept. 6 Texas Southern W, 83-10Sept. 13 Southern Miss 6 p.m.Sept. 20 Middle Tennessee* 6 p.m.Sept. 27 at Memphis 1 p.m.Oct. 11 Louisiana-Monroe* (TV) 6 p.m.Oct. 18 at Louisiana-Lafayette* 6 p.m.Nov. 1 at No. 11/16 Alabama (TV) TBANov. 8 at Florida International* 6 p.m.Nov. 22 Florida Atlantic* (TV) 2 p.m.Nov. 29 at North Texas* 1 p.m.Dec. 6 at Troy* (TV) 6 p.m.
2008 Southern Miss ScheduleAug. 30 Louisiana-Lafayette W, 51-21Sept. 6 at No. 9/9 Auburn L, 13-27Sept. 13 at Arkansas State 6 p.m.Sept. 20 Marshall* 2:30 p.m.Oct. 4 UTEP* 6 p.m.Oct. 11 Boise State 7 p.m.Oct. 18 at Rice* 2 p.m.Oct. 25 at Memphis* 7 p.m.Nov. 1 UAB* 7 p.m.Nov. 8 at UCF* 2:30 p.m.Nov. 15 No. 14/20 East Carolina* 2 p.m.Nov. 29 at SMU* 2 p.m.*Conference USA game All Times Central
Radio:Arkansas State Radio Network
KFIN, 107.9 FM (flagship)Matt Stolz (play-by-play), Bill Keedy (analyst)Television:Oct. 11 vs. Louisiana-Monroe ESPN PlusNov. 1 at Alabama CSSNov. 22 vs. Florida Atlantic ESPN PlusDec. 6 at Troy ESPN Plus
ON TAP: The Arkansas State footballteam, off to its first 2-0 start since 1986,hosts Southern Miss Saturday in the secondof three consecutive home games for theRed Wolves. Every Arkansas State gamecan be heard live on 107.9 FM in theJonesboro area and the live radio broadcastcan be accessed through the Arkansas Stateathletic Web site (astateredwolves.com).
THE PRINCIPALS: Arkansas Statedefeated Texas A&M in its season opener,claiming its first victory over a BCS schoolsince it became an NCAA FBS member, andthen defeated Texas Southern by 73 pointsin its home opener for its second largestmargin of victory in school history.Southern Miss knocked off Louisiana-Lafayette 51-21 in its season and homeopener before falling to No. 9 Auburn on theroad by just 14 points, 27-13.
HEAD COACH STEVE ROBERTS:Arkansas State head coach Steve Robertsis in his seventh year at Arkansas State afterleading the Red Wolves to the 2005 Sun BeltConference Championship and their mostsingle-season wins over NCAA FBS oppo-nents in 2006. During his first six seasonsas the Red Wolves’ head coach, he guidedASU to 31 wins for its most over a six-yearspan at the school since 1986-1991. Roberts
was named the 2005 Sun Belt ConferenceCoach of the Year. Under Roberts, the RedWolves have had 53 All-Sun BeltConference selections, an Sun BeltConference Freshman of the Year, SBCOffensive Player of the Year, SBC DefensivePlayer of the Year and SBC Newcomer ofthe Year.
ROBERTS CLIMBING VICTORIESLADDER: In his first six-plus seasons asthe Red Wolves head coach, SteveRoberts already has the fifth most victo-ries among ASU's 26 all-time head coacheswith 33 wins. Larry Lacewell (1979-89)holds the record for victories with 69 and isfollowed by Bennie Ellender (1963-70) with52 wins, Bill Davidson (1971-78) with 51and Forrest England (1946-53) with 49.
DEBUT OF THE RED WOLVES: TheArkansas State football team is competingin its first season as the Red Wolves afterchanging its nickname and mascot fromIndians at the conclusion of the 2007-08athletic seasons. More information on theRed Wolves mascot and logos, as well as thechange in names can be found on page 171of the 2008 ASU Football Media Guide.
THE ARKANSAS STATE - SOUTH-ERN MISS SERIES: Southern Miss leads
GAME 3Arkansas State (2-0) hosts Southern Miss (1-1)September 13, 2008 ASU Stadium (30,406)
Jonesboro, Arkansas 6:00 p.m.Radio: Arkansas State Radio Network (KFIN 107.9 FM, flagship)
2008 Arkansas State Football 1 astateredwolves.com
ARKANSAS STATE FOOTBALL
ARKANSAS STATE GAME WEEK MEDIA SCHEDULE
Sun., Sept. 7: 6:00 p.m. practice open to the media. Coaches and players available after practice.Mon., Sept. 8: Sun Belt Conf. Teleconference begins at 10:30 a.m. No practice.Tue., Sept. 9: 3:30 p.m. practice open to the media. Coaches and players available after practice.
ASU notes package released. Also available on astateredwolves.comWed., Sept. 10: 11:00 a.m. ASU Press Conference w/Coach Roberts. ASU Football Facility.
Sun Belt Conference television satellite feed begins at 2:15 p.m.3:30 p.m. practice open to the media. Coaches and players available after practice.
Thu., Sept. 11: 11:30 a.m. ASU Press Conference w/Coach Roberts at Little Rock National Airport(Central Flying Services, North Terminal)
3:30 p.m. practice open to the media. Last opportunity during game week for players.Fri., Sept. 12: Closed practice. No player availability.Sat., Sept. 13: Game Day. Coaches and players available after the game.
2008 Preseason All-Sun BeltOFFENSEQB: Rusty Smith (FAU, Jr.)RB: Reggie Arnold (ASU, Jr.)RB: Tyrell Fenroy (ULL, Sr.)WR: Cortez Gent (FAU, FAU, Jr.)WR: Casey Fitzgerald (NT, Sr.)TE: David Johnson (ASU, Sr.)TE: Zeek Zacharie (ULM, Sr.)OL: Matt Mandich (ASU, Sr.)OL: Nick Paris (FAU, Sr.)OL: Chris Fisher (ULL, Jr.)OL: Kelvin Drake (NT, Jr.)OL: Dion Small (Troy, Sr.)DEFENSEDL: Alex Carrington (ASU, Jr.)DL: Robert St. Clair (FAU, Sr.)DL: Jervonte Jackson (FAU, Sr.)DL: Kenny Mainor (Troy, Sr.)LB: Ben Owens (ASU, Sr.)LB: Frantz Joseph (FAU, Sr.)LB: Boris Lee (Troy, Jr.)DB: Tavious Polo (FAU, So.)DB: Corey Small (FAU, Sr.)DB: Greg James (ULM, Jr.)DB: Alex Suber (MT, Sr.)DB: Sherrod Martin (Troy, Sr.)DB: Tavares Williams (Troy, Sr.)SPECIAL TEAMSP: Scott Love (ULM, Jr.)PK: Drew Edmiston (ULL, Sr.)RS: Desmond Gee (MT, Jr.)OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEARRusty Smith (FAU, Jr., QB)DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEARFrantz Joseph (FAU, Sr., LB)
the all-time series that dates back to the1960 season 8-2. The Golden Eagles wonthe last five meetings, including a 31-19 vic-tory in the 2005 New Orleans Bowl that wasthe first meeting between the two schools in25 years. The last time the two team’s met,the Golden Eagles escaped with a 16-10 vic-tory in ASU’s 2007 season finale. The lastASU victory in the series came 14-10 inHattiesburg to close out the 1977 season.
ARKANSAS STATE vs. CONFERENCEUSA: While Arkansas State holds a 27-43-5 record all-time against current membersof Conference USA, it has won three of itslast four games against opponents from theleague. Against current C-USA members,the Red Wolves are 22-27-5 againstMemphis, 1-1 against SMU, and 2-8 againstSouthern Miss. The other C-USA teams theRed Wolves have faced are Central Florida(0-1), East Carolina (0-2), Alabama-Birmingham (0-2), and Tulsa (2-2).
OUT OF THE GATES: ASU stands 2-0for the first time since 1986 and the firsttime ever as an NCAA FBS member. The1986 team actually got off to a 3-0 startbefore tying Ole Miss 10-10 in its fourthcontest of the season.
A LOOK AHEAD: If Arkansas State cancome away with a victory over SouthernMiss Saturday, it would tie its most non-conference victories under head coach SteveRoberts (3 in 2002) and also give the pro-gram two non-conference victories overNCAA FBS opponents for the second timein the last three seasons. The Red Wolvesrecorded two non-conference victories overFBS opponents in 2006 for the first time asan NCAA FBS member.
LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD:Arkansas State broke the Sun BeltConference and ASU Stadium record forpoints in a game with 83 against TexasSouthern. The 83 points are also the secondmost in school history, behind only the 101scored against Arkansas Teacher’s Collegein 1917. Additionally, ASU is the first NCAAFBS team to score 80 or more points in agame since Texas Tech scored 80 againstSam Houston State on Sept. 17, 2005 .
OFFENSIVE OUTBURST: ASU piled up670 yards of total offense against TexasSouthern, which ranks as the second highesttotal in school history and the fourth highestin Sun Belt history. ASU has now posted itstop two offensive games in school historyunder head coach Steve Roberts, alsorecording a school-record 681 yards of totaloffense last season against Louisiana-Lafayette.
.900 WINNING PERCENTAGE: Withits victory over Texas Southern, ASUimproved to 9-1 under head coach SteveRoberts in non-conference games played atASU Stadium. The only home non-confer-ence setback for ASU under Roberts came47-35 to then-ranked No. 25 Memphis in2004.
AMONG THE NATION’S ELITE: ASUis currently ranked among the top 10 teamsin the nation in seven statistical categories:turnover margin (1), rushing offense (2),tackles for loss (2), passing efficiency (5),punt returns (7), total offense (10), scoringoffense (10). ASU is ranked among the top25 teams in the nation in 10 statistical cate-gories.
LEADING THE SUN BELT: While theseason is just two weeks old, Arkansas Statestill leads the Sun Belt Conference in 17 sta-tistical categories, including total offenseand total defense.
HOME OPENERS: Arkansas Stateimproved to 6-1 in home openers at ASUStadium under head coach Steve Roberts,who has led the Red Wolves to a 23-7 recordon their home field. ASU has won its last
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four home openers, including an 83-10 vic-tory over Texas Southern last week.
LAST WEEK’S INDIVIDUAL HIGH-LIGHTS: Kicker Josh Arauco broke theSun Belt Conference record for points bykicking (17) and extra points made (11);Corey Leonard threw four touchdown pass-es to tie the second most in school ; DerekLawson became just the 11th player inschool history to rush for over 200 yards ina game (209 yards ranks as the eighth mostin school history); Reggie Arnold recordedhis 11th career 100-yard rushing game;Linebacker Ben Owens was partly responsi-ble for two turnovers for the second straightgame (he now has two interceptions, aforced fumble and a fumble recovery on theseason).
TWICE AS NICE: Running backs DerekLawson rushed for 209 yards and ReggieArnold 123 yards against Texas Southern tobecome the first ASU duo to rush for over100 yards in the same game since 2005when Shermar Bracey and Antonio Warrendid it against North Texas.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION: Seniorlinebacker Ben Owens (Bearden, Ark.)has been named the FWAA/BronkoNagurski National Defensive Player of theWeek for games of the weekend of Aug. 30after helping lead the Red Wolves to a sea-son-opening victory over Texas A&M.
Owens, a preseason All-Sun Belt selec-tion, became the first player in ASU historyto be named a national defensive player ofthe week and the first Sun Belt Conferenceplayer to receive the recognition since FAUcornerback Tavious Polo last season afterthe Owls defeated Minnesota on Sept. 20.Owens, already on the Butkus Award WatchList, was added to the 2008 BronkoNagurski Trophy Watch List. The BronkoNagurski Trophy will be presented to thebest defensive player in college football onDec. 7 by the FWAA and the CharlotteTouchdown Club at the Westin Hotel inCharlotte, N.C. Five finalists for theNagurski Trophy will be announced on Nov.17.
RED WOLVES SWEEP WEEKLY SBCHONORS: Junior quarterback CoreyLeonard (Covington, La.), senior line-backer Ben Owens (Bearden, Ark.) andjunior kicker Josh Arauco (GrandPrairie, Texas) were named the Sun BeltConference’s players of the week Sept. 1after leading the Red Wolves football teamto a season-opening victory over TexasA&M.
Leonard was named the offensive playerof the Week, Owens the defensive player ofthe week and Arauco the special teams play-
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Arkansas State Team RecordOverall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .404-429-37ASU Stadium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107-65-1Since Div. I-A (1992) . . . . . . . . .61-123-1Under Steve Roberts (7 years):Overall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33-41Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24-9*Away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-32*Includes 2-1 record at War Memorial Stadium and 0-1record at Arrowhead Stadium when ASU was consid-ered the home team.
er of the week, marking the first time inschool history ASU swept all three awardsand the first time since Nov. 5, 2007 thatany school swept all three honors. It is justthe 10th time in Sun Belt Conference histo-ry that three players from the same schoolhave swept the awards, and ASU becomesthe fifth school to be awarded all three hon-ors in the same week.
TURNING IT AROUND ON THEROAD: Arkansas State turned around itsrecent fortune in road games, snapping aseven-game skid away from ASU Stadiumwith its victory over Texas A&M in its sea-son opener. The last time ASU won a sea-son opener on the road was 1989 when itdefeated Memphis 17-13. The crowd of78,691 for the Texas A&M game was theninth largest to ever watch an ArkansasState game.
TEXAS A&M GAME NOTABLES: ASUwon its first ever game over a BCS schoolsince it joined NCAA FBS. The Red Wolvesalso broke Texas A&M’s 20-game winningstreak in home openers, handing the Aggiesjust their fourth loss over their last 50 non-conference home games. ASU picked up itsfirst victory in 15 games against currentmembers of the Big 12 Conference.
GETTING TO THE QUARTERBACK:ASU recorded six sacks against over its firsttwo games, including four against TexasA&M that topped its season-high (3) for allof last season during a game. ASU finishedwith 13 sacks for all of last season.
PICKING IT OFF: The Red Wolves inter-cepted two passes against Texas Southern,extending their streak of at least one inter-ception to eight games. The Red Wolves ledthe Sun Belt Conference in interceptions in2006 and ranked fifth in the league lastyear.
OFFENSIVE UPRISING: ASU sur-passed 400 yards of total offense in its firsttwo games, while only reaching the 400-yard mark in three games for all of last sea-son. ASU is ranked first in the Sun BeltConference in total offense after the sea-son’s first two weeks of play. The RedWolves have also extended their winningstreak to seven games when recording 400yards of total offense
GETTING THE START: A combinedeight offensive and defensive players madetheir first career starts for Arkansas Stateagainst Texas A&M. OFFENSE: DominicPadrta (OL), Drew Hilton (OL), BrandonCiaramitaro (OL), Mark Clemons (OL andJahbari McLennan (WR). DEFENSE:Bryan Hall (DL), Darius Glover (LB) and
PASS ATTEMPTS1. Cleo Lemon 1,128 1997-20005. Nick Noce 638 2003-056. Corey Leonard 609 2006-Cur.
PASSING YARDS1. Cleo Lemon 7,706 1997-005. Nick Noce 4,343 2003-056. Corey Leonard 3,945 2006-Cur.
PASSING TOUCHDOWNS1. Cleo Lemon 48 1997-20002. James Hamilton 32 1968-713. Corey Leonard 29 2006-Cur.
TOTAL OFFENSE - MOST PLAYS1. Cleo Lemon 1,329 1997-005. Johnny Covington 964 1992-956. Corey Leonard 914 2006-Cur.
TOTAL OFFENSE - MOST NET YARDS1. Cleo Lemon 7,706 1997-002. Roy Johnson 6,779 1988-913. James Hamilton 5,764 1968-714. Dwane Brown 5,672 1984-875. Corey Leonard 4,930 2006-Cur.
MOST POINTS BY KICKING1. Eric Neihouse 234 2002-055. Joe Duren 165 1971-746. Josh Arauco 160 2006-Cur.
MOST FIELD GOALS MADE1. Jeff Caldwell 40 1993-962. Eric Neihouse 37 2002-053. Doug Dobbs 35 1976-794. Josh Arauco 33 2006-Cur.
KICKOFF RETURNS1. B. Thompkins 75 2006-Cur.2. J. Hickenbotham 73 1999-02
KICKOFF RETURN YARDS1. J. Hickenbotham 1,746 1999-022. B. Thompkins 1,622 2006-Cur.
2008 Arkansas State Football 4 astateredwolves.com
M.D. Jennings (S).
94th SEASON UNDER WAY: Arkansas State kicked off its 94th season of football withits game against Texas A&M. ASU holds a 404-429-37 record since the inaugural 1911 sea-son and have played in seven bowl games.
ROBERTS AND ASU STADIUM: Arkansas State head coach Steve Roberts has ledthe Red Wolves to a 23-7 record at ASU Stadium over the last six years for a .767 winningpercentage. Not only that, the Red Wolves are 14-2 at ASU Stadium over the last four sea-sons.
ROBERTS IN CLOSE GAMES: Seventh-year skipper Steve Roberts has seen numer-ous close games during his tenure with the Red Wolves, holding a 19-9 record in gamesdecided by eight points or less (38 percent of all his games). Roberts' teams have beenespecially successful recently in games decided by just one score, holding a 17-6 record inits last 23 games that ended under those circumstances. Following is his record in closegames:Margin Roberts record1 point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-02 points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-03 points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44 points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-15 points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-16 points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17 points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18 points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
SENIOR RECOGNITION: Every year at ASU’s Football Media Day, head coach SteveRoberts gives his seniors a chance to address those in attendance at the press conference.This year’s seniors are: Kevin Jones (Shreveport, La.), Dominique Williams(Bastrop, La.), Brett Shrable (Hoxie, Ark.), Travis Hewitt (Ballwin, Mo.),Kansas Garrett (Covington, La.), Ben Owens (Bearden, Ark.), Brian Flagg(Ripley, Tenn.), Vernon Catlin (Culver City, Calif.), Anthony Harris (WestHelena, Ark.), Brandon Ciaramitaro (Batesville, Miss.), Sean Marshall(Ashdown, Ark.), Matt Mandich (Hattiesburg, Miss.), Mark Clemons (Reno,Nev.), Zach Eichenberger (Springdale, Ark.), David Johnson (Pine Bluff,Ark.), Richard Neal (Little Rock, Ark.) and Page Gill (Dumas, Ark.).
PRESEASON ALL-SBC ACCOLADES: Five Arkansas State football players have beentabbed Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference. Junior running back Reggie Arnold (LittleRock, Ark.), senior tight end David Johnson (Pine Bluff, Ark.) and senior offensivelineman Matt Mandich (Hattiesburg, Miss.) all represented ASU on the offensiveteam, while junior defensive end Alex Carrington (Tupelo, Miss.) and senior line-backer Ben Owens (Bearden, Ark.) were named to the defensive squad . . . ASU’s fiveplayers on the 28-man squad tied Troy for the second most among all the schools. FloridaAtlantic had a league-high eight players named to the team. Louisiana-Lafayette andLouisiana-Monroe each had three players on the team, while North Texas and MiddleTennessee both had two players.
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS: The Red Wolves are predicted to finish fourth in theconference according to the league’s 2008 preseason coaches poll, announced Monday,July 21 at the Sun Belt’s annual Football Media Days in New Orleans . . . ASU received 39points, just seven fewer than third-place Monroe, in the poll. Florida Atlantic received sixof the eight first-place votes and a league-high 62 points, while Troy was picked to finishsecond with 51 points and one first-place vote. Louisiana-Monroe picked up the final first-place vote and finished with 46 points in the voting. Middle Tennessee was picked fifthwith 32 points, Louisiana-Lafayette sixth with 26 points, North Texas seventh with 19points and Florida International eighth with 13 points.
TELEVISION TIME: Three Arkansas State games will be televised by ESPN Plus andanother game televised by CSS in 2008. The Red Wolves’ home games against Louisiana-Monroe on Oct. 11 (6:00 p.m.) and Florida Atlantic on Nov. 22 (2:00 p.m.) and road gameat Troy on Dec. 6 (6:00 p.m.) will all be televised by ESPN Plus, while their game atAlabama on Nov. 1 will be carried by CSS . . . ASU’s four regular-season televised gamesfor 2008 ties the second most in school history, matching the 2005 season. The RedWolves’ had a school-record six televised games during the 2007 campaign.
PRESEASON AWARDS AND NATIONAL WATCH LISTS
Josh Arauco (Jr., K): Lindy’s Second Team All-Sun BeltConference, Athlon’s Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference, PhilSteele’s Third Team All-Sun Belt Conference.
Reggie Arnold (Jr., RB): All-Sun Belt Conference Team, DoakWalker Award Watch List, CollegeFootballNews.com All-Sun BeltConference, Sporting News All-Sun Belt Conference, Lindy’s FirstTeam All-Sun Belt Conference, Athlon’s First Team All-Sun BeltConference, Phil Steele’s First Team All-Sun Belt Conference, BlueRibbon First Team All-Sun Belt Conference.
Alex Carrington (Jr., DE): All-Sun Belt Conference Team,CollegeFootballNews.com All-Sun Belt Conference, Lindy’sSecond Team All-Sun Belt Conference, Athlon’s First Team All-Sun Belt Conference, Phil Steele’s Second Team All-Sun BeltConference, Blue Ribbon First Team All-Sun Belt Conference.
Brian Flagg (Sr., DE): Sporting News All-Sun BeltConference.
Kevin Jones (Sr., WR/PR): CollegeFootballNews.com All-Sun Belt Conference (punt returner), Athlon’s First Team All-SunBelt Conference (punt returner), Phil Steele’s Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference (punt returner), Blue Ribbon First Team All-Sun Belt Conference (punt returner).
Corey Leonard (Jr., QB): Phil Steele’s Third Team All-Sun BeltConference.
David Johnson (Sr., TE): All-Sun Belt Conference Team, PhilSteele’s Third Team All-Sun Belt Conference.
Matt Mandich (Sr., OL): All-Sun Belt Conference Team,Outland Trophy Watch List, Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List,Sporting News Honorable Mention All-America, Sporting NewsAll-Sun Belt Conference, CollegeFootballNews.com All-Sun BeltConference, Lindy’s First Team All-Sun Belt Conference, Lindy’s“Best Run Blocker” in the Sun Belt Conference, Lindy’s Top-10NFL Talent in the Sun Belt Conference, Athlon’s First Team All-Sun Belt Conference, Phil Steele’s First Team All-Sun BeltConference, Blue Ribbon First Team All-Sun Belt Conference.
Ben Owens (Sr., LB): Butkus Award Watch List, All-Sun BeltConference Team, Athlon’s Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference,Phil Steele’s Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference.
Brett Shrable (Sr., P): Athlon’s Second Team All-Sun BeltConference, Phil Steele’s Fourth Team All-Sun Belt Conference.
Brandon Thompkins (Jr., WR/KR): Lindy’s “Special TeamsDemon” in the Sun Belt Conference, Athlon’s Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference (kick returner), Phil Steele’s Second TeamAll-Sun Belt Conference.
Evan Van Dolah (Jr., DB): Phil Steele’s Fourth Team All-SunBelt Conference.
2008 Arkansas State Football 5 astateredwolves.com
NEW FLAGSHIP RADIO STATION ANNOUNCED: TheArkansas State University Athletic Department, along with EastArkansas Broadcasters, announced July 16 that KFIN 107.9 FM, a100,000-watt radio station located in Jonesboro, will become thenew flagship station and home of Red Wolves’ football broadcastsfor the 2008 season. KFIN’s 100,000-watt signal reaches parts ofTennessee, Missouri and a large portion of Arkansas, giving moreASU football fans the opportunity to follow the Red Wolves duringthe upcoming season. The full release can be found on astatered-wolves.com.
ARNOLD ON DOAK WALKER WATCH LIST: Junior runningback Reggie Arnold has been named to the list of candidates for the2008 Doak Walker Award, announced by the Guaranty Bank SMUAthletic Forum.
Arnold is a candidate for the award, presented annually to thenation’s top running back, for the second straight year and joins for-mer ASU running back Jonathan Adams as the only two players inschool history to make the watch list during two different seasons.Adams was a candidate for the award in 2000 and 2001.
Arnold is among 43 candidates, including two from the Sun BeltConference, to be named to the award’s 2008 watch list. ThePreseason All-Sun Belt Conference selection rushed for over 1,000yards in each of his first two seasons at ASU. He was named the SunBelt Conference Freshman of the Year in 2006 and is a two-time all-conference pick.
OWENS ON BUTKUS WATCH LIST: Senior linebacker BenOwens has been named to the watch list for the 2008 ButkusAward, given annually to the top linebacker in college football.Owens, a preseason All-Sun Belt Conference selection, was one of 66players named to the watch list after posting a career-high 96 tack-les last season that ranked fifth in the Sun Belt. His 96 tackles werejust five fewer than team-leader Koby McKinnon, who was on the2007 Butkus Award Watch List.
MANDICH WATCH LIST: Senior offensive lineman MattMandich is not only a preseason First Team All-Sun BeltConference by a number of college football publications, he is alsoon a couple of prestigious watch lists. Mandich is on both theOutland Trophy Watch List and Rotary Lombardi Watch List. Notonly that, he was named preseason Honorable Mention All-Americaby Sporting News.
DOUBLE-DIGIT COMEBACKS: Arkansas State has rallied for avictory in seven games when trailing by double-digits under headcoach Steve Roberts. Following is a year-by-year list of ASU’sdouble-digit comeback victories under Roberts: Year Opponent Trailed by Final2002 ULM 11 33-22003 ULM 14 44-412003 NMSU 10 28-242005 ULL 16 39-362005 UNT 10 31-242007 Memphis 25 31-242007 UNT 21 31-272008 TAMU 11 18-14
QUICK CLIMB: Corey Leonard is making a quick climb up theall-time passing records at Arkansas State. Leonard, just a junior, isalready ranked sixth all-time for career completions (306), seventhfor passing yards (3,716) and tied for third in passing touchdowns(25). Leonard is also ranked sixth all-time for total offense (4,680).
FAST TRACK TO DEGREE: Corey Leonard, just a junior on
2008 Arkansas State Football 6 astateredwolves.com
ASU IN SUN BELT RANKINGSStat ASU Rank LeaderRush Offense 348.0 ypg 1 ASUPass Defense 149.0 ypg 1 ASUScoring Off. 50.5 ppg 1 ASUFirst Downs 45 total 1 ASUScoring Def. 12.0 avg. 1 ASU4th-D Conv. 66.7 pct. 1 ASUTO Margin +3.5 1 ASUPass Efficiency 192.6 1 ASUTotal Offense 542.5 ypg 1 ASUSacks by 6 total 1 ASUTotal Defense 263.0 1 ASUPass Def. Effic. 85.1 1 ASURed Zone Def. 50.0 pct. T1 ASURed Zone Off. 1.000 pct. T1 ASUField Goals 1.000 pct. T1 ASUOpp. 4th Down 0.00 pct. T1 ASUPAT Kicking 1.000 pct. T1 ASUKO Returns 24.0 ypr 2 ULMOpp. 3rd Down 35.5 pct. 2 TroyPunt Return 24.2 avg. 2 FIUTime of poss. 31:47 2 MTRush Def. 114.0 ypg 2 TroySacks Against 2 total T3 FAU/ULLOpp. 1st Downs 31 total T3 TroyPass Offense 194.5 ypg 4 FAUOpp. Penalties 37.5 avg. 5 FAUKO Coverage 39.3 net avg. 6 ULMPunting 29.5 net/punt 7 MT3rd Down Conv.18.8 pct. 7 FAUPenalties 76.5 avg. 8 ULM
ASU INDIVIDUALS IN SBC RANKINGSStat ASU Player Avg. RankPunt Return Kevin Jones 24.5 ypg 1Scoring (kick) Josh Arauco 14.5 ppg 1Field Goals Josh Arauco 3.0 pg 1FG Pct. Josh Arauco 1.000 1Interceptions Ben Owens 1.0 pg T1Fum. Recov. Jeremy Gibson 1.0 pg T1PAT Kicking Josh Arauco 1.000 T1Punting Brett Shrable 41.8 ypp T1Total Offense Corey Leonard 248.0 ypg 2All Purpose Reggie Arnold 146.5 ypg 2Scoring Josh Arauco 14.5 ppg 2Pass Effic. Corey Leonard 192.6 2Scoring TD’s David Johnson 6.0 ppg T2Scoring TD’s Jeff Blake 6.0 ppg T2Scoring TD’s Reggie Arnold 6.0 ppg T2Passes Def. Evan Van Dolah 1.0 pg T2Passes Def. Alex Carrington 1.0 pg T2TFL D. Williams 1.5 pg 3Rec. Yards J. McLennan 73.5 ypg 3Rushing Reggie Arnold 134.0 ypg 3Pass Yards Corey Leonard 194.5 ypg 4Rushing Derek Lawson 119.0 ypg 4TFL Ben Owens 1.25 pg T4All Purpose Derek Lawson 119.0 ypg 7TFL Dorvus Woods 1.0 pg 8Rushing Corey Leonard 53.5 ypg 9Total Offense Reggie Arnold 134.0 ypg 9Total Offense Derek Lawson 119.0 ypg 10Rec. Yards David Johnson 50.0 ypg 10All Purpose Kevin Jones 97.5 ypg 10TFL Bryan Hall 1.25 pg T4Tackles Ben Owens 7.0 tpg T16Tackles D. Williams 5.5 tpg T23Tackles Daylan Walker 5.0 tpg T29
the football field, went through ASU’s Summer Commencement ceremony this year afterearning his bachelor’s degree in just three years in Business. Leonard is now enrolled grad-uate school and will begin working toward his master’s degree this fall.
GAINING GROUND: With 2,277 career rushing yards, junior running back ReggieArnold is ranked ninth among the career rushing leaders in ASU history. Arnold hasrushed for at least 100 yards in a game 10 times, including the Texas A&M game, for hiscareer for the sixth (tied) most in school history.
400TH VICTORY: With its victory over Louisiana-Lafayette on Oct. 13 of last year, ASUbecame the fifth Sun Belt Conference school with 400 all-time wins. ASU is in its 94th sea-son of football and holds an all-time record of 403-427-37 since its inaugural 1911 season.The Red Wolves have played in seven bowl games, including the 2005 New Orleans Bowl.
SIX-YEAR IMPROVEMENT: During seventh-year head coach Steve Roberts’ first sixseasons at Arkansas State the football program saw its win total increase by almost 100 per-cent over the previous six years. ASU posted 31 wins over Roberts’ first six years, 14 morethan it recorded the six years prior to Roberts. In fact, ASU's 31 wins over those six yearsare the most for a six-year span since 1986-91.
TEAM CAPTAINS: ASU’s senior class will alternate throughout the year as team cap-tains. The team will vote on permanent captains at the end of the year.
17 AND UNDER: Arkansas State holds a 15-3 record under head coach Steve Robertswhen holding its opponents to 17 points or less. However, ASU is 11-30 over the last six sea-sons when allowing 17 or more points. The Red Wolves have won 12 of their last 13 gameswhen holding their opponent to 17 or fewer points and has won 26 straight games whenholding their opponents to 10 or fewer points.
TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD: The Arkansas State football team has won the Sun BeltConference Team Academic Award four of the past five years, including 2007.
A VISIT FROM THE GOVERNOR: Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe looked on as theArkansas State Red Wolves went through a two-hour practice at the ASU practice fields dur-ing 2008 fall camp. Beebe, who was the guest speaker at the ASU Touchdown Club banquetTuesday that night, addressed the team following practice, then took time to pose for pic-tures with ASU players and fans. “Obviously, it was a privilege for us to have the governorof the state of Arkansas here at our practice and to speak to our team,” said ASU HeadCoach Steve Roberts. “We are very proud of what he has accomplished and continues toaccomplish as the governor and as an ASU Alumni.”
AFCA AWARD: Prior to the start of the 2007 season, the American Football CoachesAssociation announced that the Arkansas State University football team was one of just 34Division I-A football programs that graduated 70 percent or more of its student-athletesfrom their freshman classes of 2001-02.
A TIME TO BOND: When Head Coach Steve Roberts came to ASU, he brought a tradi-tion with him which caught on in a hurry with the players. The night before each game,team members and coaches get together for milk and cookies. During this time, each play-er sits by and visits with at least three other players he has not visited with throughout theweek in order to learn more about his teammates.
2008 Arkansas State Football 7 astateredwolves.com
HEAD COACH STEVE ROBERTSNot long after leading Arkansas State to the 2005 Sun Belt Conference championship and
New Orleans Bowl, head coach Steve Roberts continues to make ASU a dominant force in the SunBelt Conference and has ASU on track for continued success in the upcoming years.
When the 2005 Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year took over the program in December2001, he impressed everyone with his wide-eyed enthusiasm and limitless energy. And, most ofall, they believed that Roberts would bring success to the ASU football program. Roberts hasbeen the driving force behind ASU’s recent success, leading the football program to its most vic-tories over a six-year span since 1986-91.
Under Roberts’ direction, ASU continues to add to the achievements that began upon hisarrival. The 2006 and 2007 ASU teams backed up the 2005 Sun Belt championship with non-conference wins over teams such as Army, Memphis and SMU. The 2006 squad knocked off NewOrleans Bowl champion Troy and the 2007 team fell to then-ranked No. 4 Texas by just eightpoints and pushed New Orleans Bowl champion Florida Atlantic to the final minutes.
The 2007 team won the Sun Belt Conference academic award for the fourth time in the lastfive years and finished with the second most yards of total offense in school history.
Roberts already holds the fifth most wins among ASU’s 26 all-time head coaches and has ledthe Red Wolves to a 23-7 record at ASU Stadium, which included a 5-1 record in 2007.
Roberts was named Arkansas State’s 26th head football coach on December 21, 2001.Roberts graduated from Robinson High School in Little Rock. A 1987 graduate of OuachitaBaptist University, where he was an Academic All-American, Roberts received his masters fromSAU in 1989. He and his wife Sherri have one daughter – Abby (13).
ROBERTS’ ARKANSAS STATE HIGHLIGHTS
� Arkansas State defeats Texas A&M 18-14 on Aug. 30,2008 for its first victory over a BCS member since joiningNCAA FBS (formerly Division I-A)
� Roberts has led ASU to its most victories over a six-year span since 1986-91.
� Already holds the fifth most wins among ASU’s 26 all-time head coaches.
� 2005 Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year.
� Holds non-conference victories over teams such asTulsa, Army, SMU and Memphis.
� Led ASU to the 2005 Sun Belt Conf. Championship,the Red Wolves’ first league championship since 1986.
� The Red Wolves were undefeated at home in 2005 andare 22-7 at ASU Stadium under Roberts.
� ASU’s 2005 New Orleans Bowl appearance was thefirst for ASU since the 1970 Pecan Bowl.
� Under Roberts the Red Wolves have picked up 53 all-conference selections, including 10 two of the last threeyears to tie its most ever as a member of the SBC. ASUalso placed 10 players on the list in 2002, 2005 and 2006and nine in 2007. The Red Wolves’ 10 all-conferenceselections in 2006 were the second most among theleague’s eight members.
� Roberts has coached a Sun Belt Conference Freshmanof the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, DefensivePlayer of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. In 2006,he coached two players that were named to at least oneFreshman All-America team.
� The Red Wolves finished in the top 10 turnarounds bya Division I-A school his first season at the helm, goingfrom 2-9 in 2001 to 6-7 in 2002.
B.S.E., Math and Physical EducationGraduate School: Southern Arkansas Univ. (Magnolia, Ark.)
Master of Education, 1989Record at ASU: 33-41 (7 years)Record: 82-74-1 (16 years)Previous Coaching Experience: Northwestern State (HeadCoach, 2000-01), Southern Arkansas (Head Coach, 1994-99;Assistant Coach, 1990-93), Texas High School (Assistant Coach,1988-89), Southern Arkansas (Asst. Coach, 1987)High School: Robinson (Little Rock, AR) High School
Roberts Year-By-Year (Head Coach)
2008 Arkansas State 2-02007 Arkansas State 5-7 (T5th Sun Belt)2006 Arkansas State 6-6 (T3rd Sun Belt)2005 Arkansas State 6-6 (T1st Sun Belt)2004 Arkansas State 3-8 (5th Sun Belt)2003 Arkansas State 5-7 (T4th Sun Belt)2002 Arkansas State 6-7 (3rd Sun Belt)2001 Northwestern St. 8-42000 Northwestern St. 6-51999 Southern Arkansas 9-11998 Southern Arkansas 8-21997 Southern Arkansas 9-21996 Southern Arkansas 4-61995 Southern Arkansas 4-61994 Southern Arkansas 1-7-1
(fourth most net yards in school history)Touchdowns Responsible For . . . . .6 vs. UL Lafayette (10-13-07)
(ties the most in Sun Belt Conference history)
#2 Reggie Arnold, RB, Jr.Rushes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25, twice (last vs. North Texas, 10-21-06)Rushing Yards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225 vs. UL Lafayette (10-13-07)(third most rushing yards in school history and the most ever at
ASU Stadium by an ASU player)Longest Rush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 vs. Texas Southern (9-6-08)Rushing Touchdowns . . . . . . . . . . . .3 vs. North Texas (10-21-06)
2008 Arkansas State Football 13 astateredwolves.com
TEAM
SHUT OUT AN OPPONENTASU: 2005, vs. Florida Atlantic (3-0)OPP: 10-27-07, Troy (27-0)
RUSHED FOR OVER 250 YARDSASU: 9-6-08 vs. Texas Southern (44 carries for 441 yards)OPP: 2004, Idaho (58 carries for 297 yards)
RUSHED FOR OVER 300 YARDSASU: 9-6-08 vs. Texas Southern (44 carries for 441 yards)OPP: 2005, Army (55 carries for 300 yards)
PASSED FOR OVER 300 YARDSASU: 11-15-07 vs. North Texas (22-30-1 for 313 yards)OPP: 9-22-07, Tennessee (28-40-1 for 335 yards)
HAD OVER 500 YARDS OF TOTAL OFFENSEASU: 9-6-08 vs. Texas Southern (670 yards: 441 rush, 229 pass)OPP: 9-22-07, Tennessee (523 yards: 188 rushing, 335 passing)
HAD OVER 600 YARDS OF TOTAL OFFENSEASU: 9-6-08 vs. Texas Southern (670 yards: 406 rush, 275 pass)OPP: 2005, Missouri (657 yards; 317 rushing and 340 passing)
RECORDED 30 OR MORE FIRST DOWNSASU: 10-13-07, 33, vs. UL LafayetteOPP: 9-22-07, 30, Tennessee
FAILED TO RUSH FOR 100 YARDSASU: 10-20-07 at Middle Tennessee (33 carries for 22 yards)OPP: 9-6-08, Texas Southern (39 carries for 95 yards)
FAILED TO PASS FOR OVER 100 YARDSASU: 11-4-06 vs. Auburn (12 of 22 for 89 yards)OPP: 9-2-2006, Army (12 of 23 for 95 yards)
HELD AN OPPONENT UNDER 200 YARDS TOTAL OFF.ASU: 9-30-06 vs. Fla. Int’l (186 yards: 9 rushing, 177 passing)OPP: 10-20-07, MT (138 yards : 22 rushing, 116 passing)
SCORED A SAFETYASU: 11-18-06 at TroyOPP: 11-3-07, Florida International
SCORED 50 OR MORE POINTSASU: 9-6-08 vs. Texas Southern (83-10)OPP: 9-23-06, SMU (55-9)
INDIVIDUAL
PLAYER RUSHED FOR 100 YARDSASU: 9-6-08, Derek Lawson (18 carries for 109 yards) and
Reggie Arnold (8 carries for 123 yards) vs. Texas SouthernOPP: 11-24-07, D. Fletcher (USM, 27 carries for 133)
PLAYER RUSHED FOR 200 YARDSASU: 9-6-08, Derek Lawson vs. TX Southern (18 for 209 yards)OPP: 2003, P. Cobbs, North Texas (30 carries for 228 yards)
TWO OR MORE PLAYERS RUSHED FOR 100 YARDSASU: 2008 vs Texas Southern : Derek Lawson (18 carries for
209 yards) and Reggie Arnold (8 carries for 123 yards)OPP: 1998, Teofilo Riley, (24 carries for 190 yards); Gerard
Arnold (23 carries for 119 yards) of Memphis
PLAYER PASSED FOR 300 YARDSASU: 11-15-07, Corey Leonard (25-50-1 for 305 yards)OPP: 9-22-07, Erik Ainge, Tennessee (27-39-1 for 334 yards)
PLAYER PASSED FOR 400 YARDSASU: 2004, Nick Noce vs. Memphis (29-41-3 for 418 yards)OPP: 2004, Clint Marks, Middle Tenn. (30-34 for 447 yards)
RETURNED A KICKOFF FOR A TOUCHDOWNASU: 2001, James Hickenbotham vs. Idaho (93-yards)OPP: 1998, Tyrone Carter, Minnesota (86 yards)
RETURNED A PUNT FOR A TOUCHDOWNASU: 9-27-07, Kevin Jones vs. Memphis (89 yards)OPP: 11-3-07, L. Singleton, FIU (80 yards)
RETURNED AN INTERCEPTION FOR A TOUCHDOWNASU: 11-2-07, Darren Toney vs. FIU (17 yards)OPP: 11-11-06, B. Robinson (Middle Tennessee)(88 yards)
RETURNED A FUMBLE FOR A TOUCHDOWNASU: 9-6-08, Javon McKinnon vs. Texas Southern (25 yards)
9-6-08, Demario Davis vs. Texas Southern (53 yards)OPP: 10-27-07, Boris Lee, Troy (1 yard)
BLOCKED AN OPPONENT'S PUNTASU: 2005, Shermar Bracey vs. Oklahoma StateOPP: 11-15-07, Aaron Weathers (North Texas)
RETURNED A BLOCKED PUNT FOR A TOUCHDOWNASU: 2000, Sean Mitchell (block) and Danny Smith (TD) vs. Richmond (32 yards)OPP: 2002, Brian Brosnan (block) and Kendrick Jones (TD), Illinois (0 yards)
RETURNED A BLOCKED FIELD GOAL FOR A TDASU: 2000, Hanis Bowens vs. North Carolina State (80 yards)OPP: 2004, Terryl Fenton, UL-Lafayette (80-yards)
RUN FROM SCRIMMAGE OF 50 YARDS OR MOREASU: 9-6-08, Derek Lawson vs. Texas Southern (80 yards)
9-6-08, Reggie Arnold vs. Texas Southern (56 yards)OPP: 10-13-07, M. Desormeaux, ULL (64 yards for TD)
PASS FROM SCRIMMAGE OF 50 YARDS OR MOREASU: 9-6-08, 53 yds vs. TX Southern (C. Leonard to D. Johnson)
9-6-08, 74 yds vs. TSU (C. Leonard to J. McLennan)OPP: 10-20-07, 56 yds (FAU) (R. Smith to W. Rose)
MADE 50+ YARD FIELD GOALASU: 2005, 50 yards (Eric Neihouse vs. Louisiana-Monroe)OPP: 9-23-06, 50 yards (T. Morstead, SMU)
THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED:
2008 Arkansas State Football 14 astateredwolves.com
ARKANSAS STATE FOOTBALL MEDIA INFORMATIONARKANSAS STATE
SPORTS INFORMATION STAFF
Jerry Scott (Director, FB Contact)Office: 870-972-3405/Cell: 870-243-6021
ARKANSAS STATE RADIO NETWORKThe Arkansas State Radio Network will broad-cast every ASU football game during the 2008season, originating from flagship station 107.9FM (KFIN). Flagship. . . . . . . . . 107.9 FM (KFIN), The Wolf
INSIDE ASU FOOTBALLWITH STEVE ROBERTS
The Steve Roberts Radio Show, can be heardlive on The Wolf (95.9 FM), running from12:00-12:30 p.m. each Wednesday. The showwill be broadcast from the Jonesboro CountryClub prior to each week’s Touchdown Clubmeeting. The show can also be accessedthrough the StateZone on Arkansas State’sofficial athletic web site (astatered-wolves.com). Arkansas State Radio Networkbroadcaster Matt Stolz will host the show.
THE STEVE ROBERTS SHOWThe Steve Roberts Show airs on Jonesboro'sSuddenlink Media throughout the football sea-son. The 30-minute program will be carriedthroughout Jonesboro, Bay, Walnut Ridge,Hoxie and Pocahontas, as well as the ASUcampus. Suddenlink will air the show on Ch.22 on Monday’s (with the exception of LaborDay) and Wednesday’s at 8:00 p.m. TheParagould Cable System will also carry theshow Tuesday’s at 7:00 p.m. on Ch. 6. Theshow is hosted by Arkansas State RadioNetwork’s Brad Bobo. The show will also beavailable in the on-demand section of theStateZone on astateredwolves.com.
GAME REPLAYSJonesboro’s Suddenlink Media will replayASU’s football games on Ch. 18 (ASU-TV)Sunday’s at 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday’s at 7:00p.m. The Steve Roberts Show will air immedi-ately following Tuesday’s replay on Ch. 18.
Post-Game Interviews: The Arkansas State locker room is closed to all members of the media. Head coachSteve Roberts and requested assistant coaches and players will be available for interviews in the designated areafollowing a brief cooling off period.
Weekly Media Conference: Media representatives are encouraged to visit with head coach Steve Roberts dur-ing his weekly press conference, held Wednesday’s at 11:00 a.m. at the ASU Football Facility. Quotes from thepress conference will be available at astateredwolves.com as well.
Little Rock Press Conferences: Arkansas State will hold six press conferences in Little Rock during the 2008season. The first press conference, scheduled for Aug. 28 at 11:30 a.m. will be held at the Holiday Inn PresidentialHotel (600 Interstate 30). The remaining five press conferences will all be held at Little Rock National Airport’sNorth Conference Room, located in the North Terminal of Central Flying Services. The dates for the final fivepress conferences, all scheduled for 11:30 a.m. are: Sept. 4, Sept. 11, Sept. 18, Oct. 9, Nov. 20.
Practice Coverage: Arkansas State football practice is open to the media. TV crews wishing to shoot practicemust notify the sports information office in advance. Players and coaches are available for interviews followingeach practice, on a prearranged basis through the sports information office.
Weekly Releases: All Arkansas State weekly football releases can be obtained as a PDF document on the ath-letics website at astateredwolves.com. To be added to the e-mail broadcast list for all football releases or if youwould like releases faxed to you, contact Jerry Scott in the sports information office.
Steve Roberts Interviews: The best time to catch head coach Steve Roberts in his office, Monday throughThursday, is between 10:00 a.m. and noon. Pleasecontact Jerry Scott to make arrangements for all inter-views with Coach Roberts.
Player Interviews: All interviews with ArkansasState players must be arranged through the SportsInformation Office. Please contact Jerry Scott.
Sun Belt Teleconference: The Sun BeltConference will conduct a weekly teleconference witheach of the eight head coaches each Monday through-out the season. Additional information is provided onthe last page of the ASU game notes package.
Sun Belt Conference Weekly Video HighlightFeed: The conference office will provide a weeklyhighlight feed of each SBC school Wednesday’s at 2:15p.m. Additional information is provided on the lastpage of the ASU game notes package.
DIRECTIONS TO ASU STADIUMFrom Memphis International Airport: Startgoing toward the Airport Exit on Winchester Road.Bear right on Plough Boulevard for 1.4 miles. Takeramp onto I-240 West toward I-240 LittleRock/Downtown for 2.6 miles. Continue on I-55North for 6.1 miles. Take the St. Louis/Little Rock exiton I-55 North and go 24.4 miles. Take exit23B/Marked Tree/Jonesboro onto US-61for 0.5 miles.Continue on US-63 North for 41 miles. Take ramptoward Caraway Road/Stadium Boulevard for 0.2miles. Bear right on Stadium Boulevard and go 2.2miles until seeing Indian Stadium on the left. Parkingis available for the working media on the northwestgrass lot of the stadium complex.
From Little Rock National Airport: Leaving theairport on East Roosevelt Road go 0.3 miles and con-tinue on Annie M. Bankhead Drive for another 0.4miles. Turn left to take the ramp onto I-440 Easttoward TO I-40 for 11.3 miles. Take the Jacksonvilleexit onto US-167 North and go 48.4 miles. Continueon US 67 North for 25.3 miles. Take exit90/Jonesboro and go 0.3 miles. Turn right on AR-14and continue for 18.6 miles. Turn left on US 49 and go22.6 miles. Take ramp onto US 49 North and go 2.7miles until taking the Stadium Boulevard exit for 0.2miles. Turn left on Stadium Boulevard and go 2.4miles until seeing Indian Stadium on the left. Parkingis available for working media on the northwest grasslot of the stadium complex.
Passes Att-Comp.-Int 15-28-0 19-27-2Total Net Yards 415 303Fumbles: Number-Lost 2-1 3-2Penalties: Number-Yards 6-70 1-15Possession Time 33:21 26:39Third Down Conversions 2 of 12 5 of 13Sacks By: Number-Yards 4-28 2-13
Individual StatisticsRUSHING: Arkansas State-Arnold, Reggie 21-145; Leonard, Corey 17-86;Lawson, Derek 6-29; TEAM 1-minus 5. Texas A&M-Goodson, Mike 24-124;Gray, Cyrus 3-24; Stephens, Brad. 2-14; McGee, Stephen 7-minus 29.PASSING: Arkansas State-Leonard, Corey 15-28-0-160. Texas A&M-McGee, Stephen 19-27-2-170. RECEIVING: Arkansas State-McLennan,J. 6-73; Jones, Kevin 3-39; Arnold, Reggie 2-18; Johnson, David 2-13;Robinson, A. 1-13; Thompkins, B. 1-4. Texas A&M-Goodson, Mike 6-30;Tannehill, Ryan 5-59; Fuller, Jeff 3-22; Stephens, Brad. 2-6; Johnson,Jerrod 1-36; McCoy, Jamie 1-12; Morrow, Howard 1-5. INTERCEP-TIONS: Arkansas State-Owens, Ben 1-15; Jennings, M.D. 1-0. Texas A&M-None. FUMBLES: Arkansas State-Leonard, Corey 2-1. Texas A&M-Goodson, Mike 1-1; Morrow, Howard 1-1; Pugh, Jordan 1-0.
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (8/30/08) – The first game of a new era pro-vided what was arguably the biggest victory in the long history of ArkansasState University football.
Playing its first football game as the Red Wolves, Arkansas State left78,691 Texas A&M fans at Kyle Field stunned, defeating the Aggies 18-14 inthe season opener for both teams. Texas A&M had won its last 20 homeopeners, and the loss was just the fourth defeat for the Aggies in their last50 non-conference games at home.
Arkansas State got its only touchdown of the night when it needed it themost.
After penetrating the Texas A&M 30-yard line five times and comingaway with three field goals and two turnovers, Arkansas State went on topto stay when junior quarterback Corey Leonard connected with senior widereceiver Kevin Jones from 15 yards out, giving the Red Wolves a 15-14 leadwith 4:39 to play.
A missed two-point conversion attempt proved inconsequential when aTexas A&M turnover on its next possession led to junior Josh Arauco’sfourth field goal of the night. Arauco’s kick boosted the ASU lead to 18-14,and Arkansas State forced another turnover on the Aggies’ final drive toseal the win.
Junior tailback Reggie Arnold rushed 21 times for 145 yards on the night,Leonard added 86 yards on the ground to go along with 160 passing yards,and Arauco was a perfect 4-for-4 in the game. His four field goals were acareer high.
Arkansas State scored on the game’s first possession when the RedWolves drove 60 yards to set up Arauco’s first field goal. Arkansas Stateused a 19-yard completion from junior quarterback Corey Leonard to jun-ior wideout Jahbari McLennan on third-and-six from the ASU 35 to keepthe drive alive.
A two-yard keeper by Leonard on fourth-and-one at the Aggie 37 againkept the possession alive, and Leonard passed complete for 15 yards toJones on the next play to set up Arauco’s field goal. Arauco’s kick wrappedup the 13-play drive and put the Red Wolves on top 3-0 with 8:45 remain-ing in the opening quarter.
Texas A&M answered with an 8-play drive that ended when junior tail-back Mike Goodson scored from nine yards out to put the Aggies on theboard. Senior Richie Bean added the extra point for the 7-3 A&M lead with6:20 to play in the first period.
The Aggies made it 14-3 with 4:23 remaining in the half when Goodsonscored again, this time from seven yards out to wrap up a 12-play, 77-yarddrive.
Arkansas State took advantage of an interception by junior defensiveback M.D. Jennings midway through the third quarter to cut the TexasA&M advantage to 14-6.
Jennings picked off a pass from A&M quarterback Stephen McGee at theASU 41 to give the Red Wolves possession of the ball and ASU marched 47yards on nine plays to set up Arauco’s second field goal of the night. Araucoconnected from 28 yards out on the kick to cut the deficit to 14-8 with 5:28remaining in the third.
Junior safety Marcus Brown forced a fumble by Texas A&M wide receiv-er Howard Morrow on the Aggies’ next drive, and the ball was recovered byASU defensive end Jeremy Gibson to set up the Red Wolf offense at theAggie 47.
Arkansas State moved 39 yards on the possession, with 32 of those yardscoming on a run from Leonard to the Texas A&M 15, and Arauco complet-ed the possession with his third field goal of the night. Arauco’s kick wasgood from 29 yards out, trimming the Texas A&M lead to 14-9 with 14 sec-onds to go in the third quarter.
Texas A&M went three-and-out on its next possession and Bean missedwide on a 27-yard field goal attempt the next time the Aggies had the ball,setting the stage for ASU’s game-winning drive.
Taking over at the ASU 20 with 9:30 remaining, Leonard directed theRed Wolves 80 yards in 10 plays on a drive that consumed 4:51 seconds onthe clock. Arnold rushed for 44 yards on the drive and Leonard hooked upwith McLennan for 15 yards and a first down at the A&M 21 on fourth-and-13 from the Aggie 36 to keep the possession going.
Senior defensive back Dominique Williams led Arkansas State with ninetackles on the night, junior defensive back Daylan Walker added seven, sen-ior linebacker Ben Owens also had seven to go along with a fumble recoveryand the game-clinching interception, and junior defensive back Evan VanDolah had six stops.
Kevin Jones hauled in the game-winning pass, a 15-yardreception with 4:39 left in the game.
2008 Arkansas State Football 15 astateredwolves.com
GAME 2September 6, Jonesboro, AR (ASU Stadium - 21,741) - Arkansas State 83, Texas Southern 10
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 ScoreArkansas State 31 21 17 14 83Texas Southern 0 3 7 0 10
Team Qtr Time Scoring play Plays-Yards TOPASU 1 13:41 Johnson 53 yd rec. 2-49 1:19ASU 1 11:40 Gillott 39 yd rec. 2-35 0:53ASU 1 10:43 McKinnon 25 yd FR NA NAASU 1 07:14 Arauco 33 yd FG 6-38 2:36ASU 1 05:36 Blake 2 yd rec. 3-10 1:05ASU 2 14:31 Johnson 25 yd rec. 1-25 0:10ASU 2 10:28 Arnold 2 yd run 5-78 0:38TSU 2 03:21 Hersh 34 yd FG 11-45 4:58ASU 3 09:19 Lawson 5 yd run 8-86 4:07ASU 3 04:58 Arauco 30 yd FG 4-4 2:36ASU 3 02:02 Hewitt 8 yd run 3-82 1:17TSU 3 00:04 Osbourne 32 yd rec. 7-75 1:53ASU 4 12:22 Blake 15 yd run 6-51 2:38ASu 4 04:30 Davis 53 yd fum. ret. NA NA
JONESBORO (9/6/08) – Arkansas State scored early and often in its homedebut, pounding Texas Southern 83-10 in front of a crowd of 21,741 at ASUStadium.
Freshman tailback Derek Lawson rushed for 209 yards and a touchdownin the game, the 8th most rushing yards in ASU history. Junior tailbackReggie Arnold added 123 yards and two touchdowns and junior quarter-back Corey Leonard accounted for 229 yards of total offense and threw forfour touchdowns as Arkansas State finished with 670 yards of total offensein the game, the second most in school history.
ASU got on the board with less than two minutes gone in the game witha 53-yard pass from Leonard to Johnson. Two minutes later, Leonard con-nected with junior tight end Trevor Gillott from 39 yards out for the 14-0ASU lead.
A 25-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown from sophomore linebackerJavon McKinnon, a 33-yard field goal from junior Josh Arauco, and a two-yard pass from Leonard to freshman fullback Jeff Blake wrapped up a 31-0first quarter for ASU.
Leonard and Johnson hooked up for their second touchdown pass of thenight just 29 seconds into the second quarter, and Arnold scored on touch-down runs of two yards and 56 yards before Texas Southern got on the
board with a 34-yard field goal from Robert Hersh to make it 52-3 at thehalf.
A five-yard touchdown run from Lawson, a 30-yard field goal fromArauco and an eight-yard touchdown run from senior quarterback TravisHewitt made it 69-3 before the Tigers scored their only touchdown of thenight on a 32-yard pass from quarterback Bobby Reid to wide receiverWilliam Osbourne.
Blake added a 15-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, andfreshman linebacker Demario Davis returned a fumble 53-yards for atouchdown to set the final at 83-10 after Arauco’s 11th extra point. Araucowas 11-for-11 on extra points to tie the ASU record, and 2-for-2 on field goaltries on the night.
The Red Wolves’ 83 points were the second most in school history andthe most in the history of ASU Stadium. The 73-point margin of victory wasthe most under head coach Steve Roberts.
Arkansas State continues a three-game home stand next week when theyhost Southern Miss in a 6 p.m. game at ASU Stadium.
Redshirt freshman Derek Lawson ran for 209 yards againstTexas Southern, piling up the eighth most rushing yards inschool history for a single game.
2008 Arkansas State Football 16 astateredwolves.com
2008 ARKANSAS STATE STARTING LINEUPS
OFFENSEWR LT LG C RG RT TE WR WR/FB RB QB
Texas A&M McLennan Mandich Padrta Ciaramitaro Hilton Clemons Johnson Jones Thompkins Arnold LeonardTX Southern McLennan Mandich Padrta Ciaramitaro Hilton Clemons Johnson Jones Blake Arnold LeonardSouthern MissMiddle TennesseMemphisUL MonroeUL LafayetteAlabamaFlorida InternationalFlorida AtlanticNorth TexasTroy
DEFENSELE DT DT RE LB LB LB CB CB SS FS
Texas A&M Carrington Mays Hall Flagg Glover Owens McKinnon Williams Walker Van Dolah JenningsTSU Carrington Mays Hall Flagg Glover Owens McKinnon Williams Walker Van Dolah JenningsSouthern MissMiddle TennesseeMemphisUL MonroeUL LafayetteAlabamaFlorida InternationalFlorida AtlanticNorth TexasTroy
2008 Arkansas State Football 17 astateredwolves.com
2008 Arkansas State Football 18 astateredwolves.com