Wolves primed for 2010 finale

— Arkansas State will wrap up the 2010 season today when the Red Wolves play Florida International in Miami, as the Red Wolves try to end the season on a positive note after losing consecutive games to Western Kentucky and Navy.

The Red Wolves (4-7, 4-3) will play a Florida International team (4-5, 4-1) that can earn the Sun Belt Conference Championship with a victory. But Arkansas Statecan still claim a share of the conference title with a victory today, a Troy loss today and a Florida International loss to Middle Tennessee next week.

ASU quarterback Ryan Aplin, who has totaled 3,620 yards of total offense this season, said that despite being eliminated from bowl contention in the loss last week to Navy, the team is focused on Florida International.

“Anytime we have a chance to come out and play thisgame is an awesome feeling,” Aplin said.

Aplin has broken single season school records for completions, touchdown passes, passing yards and total offense, but will be looking to help another ASU player, junior receiver Dwayne Frampton, earn a record of his own.

Frampton ranks 24th nationally with 6.1 receptions per game, and comes into the game with 67 receptions this year, needing six to set the ASU single-season record of 72 set by Robert Kilow in 2,000.

“He (Frampton) is a big part of our offense,” Aplin said. “He works harder than almost anyone on the team and deserves it. He takes a lot of responsibility when he drops passes and doesn’t like mistakes.”

Heading into the game today, Frampton is first on the team in receiving yards with 708, touchdown receptions with six and receiving yards per game with 64.4.

“He is an extremely passionate player,” ASU Coach Steve Roberts said. “He catches the ball extremely well. He needs to be better when the ball isn’t in his hands but he is still learning”

Roberts said that controlling the Florida International running attack with be the focal point of the ASU defense. Florida International comes into the game averaging 191.3 yards per game on the ground to rank 27th in the country.

Darriet Perry leads the Golden Panthers’ rushing attack with 611 yards and ten touchdowns this season, averaging 61.1 yards per game, while Darian Mallary (48.2 ypg), Jeremiah Harden (50.2 ypg) and Kedrick Rhodes (43.3 ypg) have also contributed.

“It will be a challenge with all of their run schemes,” Roberts said. “They can get the ball to the outside, but if you overload the run their quarterback (Wes Carroll) will make some plays. We hope to control some of what they do as far as formations.”Arkansas State at Fla. International WHERE FIU Stadium, Miami WHEN 2:30 p.m. today RECORDS Arkansas State (4-7, 4-3 Sun Belt Conference); Florida International (5-5, 5-1) COACHES Steve Roberts (94-95-1 in 19 years overall and 45-62 in nine years at Arkansas State); Mario Cristobal is 14-32 in four seasons at FIU.

SERIES Arkansas leads 4-1, including last season’s 27-10 victory in Jonesboro TV Sun Belt Network RADIO KABF-AM, 88.3 in Little Rock;

KFIN-FM, 107.9 in northeast Arkansas;

KTLO-AM, 1240, in Mountain Home;

KWYN-AM, 1400, in Wynne; KRLWAM, 1320, in Walnut Ridge/Pocahontas;

KRLW-FM, 106.3, in Walnut Ridge/Pocahontas; KWAK-FM, 105.5, in Stuttgart;

KQEW-FM, 102.3, in Fordyce; KOOUFM, 104.7, in Hardy; KAPW-FM, 99.3, in Brinkley/Forrest City; KAFN-FM, 102.5, in Gould/Monticello INTERNET astateredwolves.com

Sports, Pages 23 on 11/27/2010

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