JONESBORO — Thirty minutes after Arkansas State finished a 56-0 thrashing of FCS opponent Alcorn State on Saturday, Coach Gus Malzahn faced the big question.
After four games that constitute a mixed bag, are the Red Wolves ready for a Sun Belt Conference schedule that includes BCS conference busters Louisiana-Monroe, Florida International and Western Kentucky?
“Everyone can see what’s happening with these different scores each week,” Malzahn said. “There’s some good teams in our conference that are veteran teams coming back.”
ASU (2-2) wasted little time taking care of Alcorn State in front of an announced crowd of 21,559 at Liberty Bank Stadium. The Red Wolves (2-2) swiftly meted out punishment to the Braves (1-3) and were able to rest nicked-up starters before turning their attention toward Western Kentucky.
It was an efficient night for the regulars as Arkansas State racked up 634 yards and allowed only 130 in recording its first shutout since a 61-0 victory against Mississippi Valley State in 2009. Quarterback Ryan Aplin threw for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns on 12 of 13 passing, with his only misfire coming during a third down on the opening series.
“That’s something that’s got to happen every game from the first whistle to the last whistle,” Aplin said. “We’ve got to play as hard as we can for 60 minutes, then look up at the score at the end of the game.”
Running back David Oku added 92 yards and two touchdowns rushing, while J.D. McKissic had six receptions for 49 yards and a 33-yard touchdown to put ASU up 21-0 midway through the second quarter.
Missing three starters — center Eric Allen, right guard Cliff Mitchell and receiver Taylor Stockemer — ASU’s emphasis was on crisp execution and establishing the ground game as the trio recuperates.
“After last week our goal was just to come in and clean up all the little things,” offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. “We were maybe a little bit more base than we have been at times.”
The Red Wolves defense, maligned early while ranking 105th in total defense, had no problem handling the Braves.“We all wanted to go out and shut them out,” defensive end Tim Starson said.
Alcorn State quarterback John Gibbs threw for 39 yards while completing 12 of 23, and his 47 yards on 6 carries led a ground attack that managed 98 yards.
ASU roamed free in the backfield, sacking Gibbs twice, including a fumble that was recovered by Ronnell Wright for a 7-0 lead with 9:02 left in the first quarter.
Don Jones also intercepted Gibbs on a shallow crossing route and returned it 22 yards to Alcorn State’s 18 to set up Oku’s 1-yard touchdown run that made it 28-0 with 9:54 left in the first half.
ASU will still enter Sun Belt play as somewhat of an unknown. It took beatings from No. 3 Oregon and No. 25 Nebraska, but it countered by victories against Memphis and Alcorn State.
It appears Sun Belt teams have improved their stock, starting with Louisiana-Monroe — which was picked to finish sixth in the preseason — after the Warhawks’ stunning upset of then-No. 8 Arkansas, an overtime loss at Auburn and a 47-42 loss Friday against Baylor.
“That’s what separates our conference,” Aplin said. “Each conference game, anyone can win. If you don’t bring your ‘A’ game each week, you’ve got a possibility of not coming out on top.”
Western Kentucky has an upset of SEC member Kentucky to its credit and knocked off Conference USA member Southern Miss 42-17 on Saturday.
“We’ll turn the dial,” Malzahn said. “There’s some good teams, and Western is right there near the top of the whole deal and we know we’ve got our hands full.”
Aplin and company assumed command by scoring on its next five possessions after ASU’s defense staked the Red Wolves to an early lead Saturday,
Oku started the onslaught with a 12-yard touchdown run for a 14-0 lead with 1:56 left in the first quarter before adding his second later. Early in the second quarter Aplin threw seven consecutive passes to the flat before hitting McKissic on a deep post for a threetouchdown lead.
“We’re a run/play-action team with an emphasis on throwing it vertically, and we were able to hit some ones deep,” Malzahn said. “That really helps putting everything else together.”
On the next series, Julian Jones caught a 7-yard touchdown pass at 7:08 to make it 35-0, and Arkansas State’s understudies took their cue.
Freshman Fredi Knighten threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to reserve tight end Anthony Kincy for a 42-0 lead with 2:59 left in the half.
Aplin said the Red Wolves gained some positive vibes with the victory.
But, Aplin said, “We know the things we have to do to get the things done.”
As for next week?
“It’s time to get ready,” Aplin said.
In other games involving Sun Belt teams, Antonio Andrews accounted for 136 yards rushing, 74 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns as Western Kentucky rolled to a 42-17 victory over Southern Mississippi in Bowling Green, Ky. Western Kentucky quarterback Kawaun Jakes threw touchdown passes of 25, 36 and 2 yards. He finished the game 12 of 18 for 173 yards. ... Teddy Bridgewater passed for two touchdowns and ran for another in his return to his home city, and No. 20 Louisville remained unbeaten by holding off Florida International 28-21 in Miami. Senorise Perry rushed for 74 yards for the Cardinals (4-0), who trailed for the first time this season before controlling the second half and avenging last season’s 24-17 loss to FIU. Darian Mallary and Jake Medlock both rushed for touchdowns for the Panthers (1-3). ... Corey Robinson threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns as Troy spoiled North Texas’ SBC opener with a 14-7 victory in Denton, Texas. Robinson, who was 29 of 42 and threw 1 interception, hit Jaquon Robinson for a 15-yard score just before halftime and found Chip Reeves on a 76-yarder in the third. Reeves led the Trojans (2-2, 1-1) with seven catches for 120 yards. The Troy defense took over from there, holding the Mean Green (1-3, 0-1) scoreless after the first quarter despite allowing 422 yards of total offense. North Texas missed three field goals and converted just two of its 14 third downs.
Sports, Pages 25 on 09/23/2012