JONESBORO -- A.J. Turner started Monday listed as Arkansas State's No. 1 weakside linebacker for Saturday's season-opener against Montana State while drawing praise from his coaches for enduring a turbulent fall camp.
"He's earned himself that spot you see there on the depth chart," ASU defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen said Monday afternoon.
Arkansas State vs. Montana State
WHEN 6 p.m. Saturday
At a glance
WHERE Centennial Bank Stadium, Jonesboro
RECORDS Opener for both teams
COACHES Arkansas State: Blake Anderson (0-0 in first season at ASU and overall); Montana State: Rob Ash (233-126-5 in 34 seasons overall, 57-27 in 8th season at Montana State)
INTERNET ESPN3, astatestats.com
RADIO KFIN-FM, 107.9, in Jonesboro; KKSP-FM, 93.3, in Little Rock; KTRQ-FM, 102.3, in West Memphis/Memphis; KEAZ-FM, 100.7, in Searcy/Heber Springs; KCTT-FM, 101.7, in Mountain Home; KWYN-AM, 1400, Wynne; KRLW-AM, 1320, in Walnut Ridge/Pocahontas; KRLW-FM, 106.3, Walnut Ridge/Pocahontas; KCCB-AM, 1260, in Corning; KWAK-FM, 105.5, in Stuttgart; KQEW-FM, 102.3, Fordyce; KOOU-FM, 104.7, in Hardy; KOTN-FM, 102.5 in Gould/Monticello; KXIO-FM, 106.9, Pottsville/Ozark.
Less than four hours later, Turner was no longer a part of ASU's plans, having been dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules by Coach Blake Anderson.
Five days before ASU opens its 100th season of football at 6 p.m. at Centennial Bank Stadium, Anderson announced two disciplinary measures Monday that will affect depth on an already thin roster.
Anderson announced just before 4 p.m. Monday that Turner, who transferred to ASU in January after spending two seasons at the University of Arkansas, had been dismissed from the team for a violation of unspecified team rules, ending the Lepanto native's ASU career before he even played a down in a game.
"We obviously have team rules in place to benefit and strengthen our entire football program," Anderson said in a statement. "It's disappointing that A.J. was unable to adhere on multiple occasions to the standards and expectations we have in place for the entire team, and that led to his dismissal. We wish A.J. only the best in his future endeavors."
Linebacker Quanterio Heath was also suspended by Anderson -- but just for Saturday's game -- for a violation of unspecified team rules. Heath, a sophomore from Rison, was listed Monday as the backup to Qushaun Lee at middle linebacker.
"We strive to do things right here and hold ourselves to a high standard, but when that standard isn't met, discipline is required," Anderson said in a separate statement. "We have applied the proper discipline for Quanterio's infraction of team rules, and he will be able to use this as a learning experience."
Anderson's announcements came after he held a news conference to discuss Saturday's upcoming game. There was no mention of possible disciplinary actions for either player at the time, and when asked about Turner, Anderson complimented the sophomore linebacker.
Turner arrived on campus from Arkansas in January and first had to be granted a waiver by the NCAA to get around a transfer rule. In July, Anderson said Turner had two academic hurdles to clear before he could play, and after camp began July 31, Turner battled through a slight knee injury and a blow to the head.
Turner missed ASU's final spring scrimmage Aug. 16, but Anderson said Aug. 18 at an event in North Little Rock that Turner was likely to play in the opener.
Anderson's first report Monday was a positive one, that he had evolved enough to start in five days.
"His issues have typically been off the field and in the classroom and injury," Anderson said. "When he's been on the field, he's been productive and he's run well and he's eliminated his mental mistakes. I think he's where he needs to be on the depth chart."
Cauthen had similar thoughts on Turner, who in 2012 was named to the SEC all-freshman team after making 53 tackles for the Razorbacks.
"A.J. is a really good player," Cauthen said. "Really, A.J.'s only problems have been off the field with classes."
Sophomore Xavier Woodson looks to be in line to start at weakside linebacker Saturday in place of Turner. Woodson started two games last season while making 32 tackles and was listed Monday as Turner's backup.
The two disciplinary actions serves as a sizable hiccup in ASU's preparation for Montana State, a member of NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision that Anderson said is more talented than FCS opponents ASU has played in the past.
ASU throttled an Arkansas-Pine Bluff team with a thin roster because of NCAA certification issues 62-11 to open last season and North Carolina, with Anderson as its offensive coordinator, thumped Old Dominion 80-20 in a November victory.
Anderson said there are plenty of reasons that Saturday won't be as easy. Montana State led Southern Methodist in the final minute before losing 31-30 last season, and enter this season ranked No. 18 in the FCS by The Sports Network. ASU has its issues, including another new coaching staff and depth issues made worse by Monday's news.
"It's a game that's very easy to lose if you don't take care of business," Anderson said. "I think they're going to look at us and see the transition and depth that we've got and feel like we're a target that they need to take advantage of. I've been on that side."
Sports on 08/26/2014