JONESBORO — Arkansas State had what Coach Steve Roberts called "a very motivating experience" Tuesday afternoon, but the Red Wolves followed with mixed results in practice.
"Parts of it were good and parts of it were poor," Roberts said. "We didn't focus and communicate at times. I thought the effort was pretty good. There was definitely some things we could build off of today."
Former Alabama Coach Gene Stallings, in town to speak at the ASU Touchdown Club banquet, addressed the Red Wolves earlier Tuesday as they huddled on the practice field.
Stallings played under Paul "Bear" Bryant at Texas A&M in the mid-1950s before coaching under Bryant at Alabama for seven seasons. Stallings went on to coach under Tom Landry with the Dallas Cowboys from 1972-1985 before becoming the head coach of Texas A&M, the NFL's St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals, and Alabama, where his 1992 team went 13-0 and was named national champion.
"We're very appreciative to Coach Stallings for taking time out of his schedule to come to practice and speak to the team," Roberts said. "This was a very motivating experience and obviously a great opportunity for our team to hear from someone as well respected as Coach Stallings."
Roberts said quarterback Corey Leonard "was not real sharp early, but was real sharp late" in Tuesday's practice. He also complimented the play of wide receiver Taylor Clements, safeties M.D. Jennings and Marcus Brown and kicker Josh Arauco.
ASU will practice today at 3:30 p.m.
Sports, Pages 21 on 08/26/2009