WHEN ASU HAS THE BALL How Arkansas State looks offensively could depend on the health of quarterback Adam Kennedy. The senior dislocated his left knee cap and tore his patellar tendon Nov. 30 in a loss to Western Kentucky, and he didn’t return to practice until Dec. 28. Kennedy will start, but how effective he is in a running game that has been such a big part of the offense’s success over the season’s final month could determine the Red Wolves’ success. No matter if it’s Kennedy or sophomore Fredi Knighten playing quarterback, ASU has to be mindful of protecting the ball. Ball State forced 30 turnovers this season, which tied for the ninth-most in the FBS. ASU has been just as good at not turning it over. Sophomore running back Michael Gordon hasn’t fumbled in 109 carries, and if he doesn’t tonight there should be plenty of opportunities to pick up yards. Ball State is allowing 194.8 yards rushing per game, which is tied for 91st nationally.
WHEN BALL STATE HAS THE BALL At first glance, it seems the secret to slowing Ball State is disrupting the rhythm between quarterback Keith Wenning and receiver Willie Snead. ASU will try to do that, but it also knows there are threats beyond those two. Three Ball State receivers have at least 63 receptions, amassed 855 receiving yards and caught 8 touchdown passes. Wenning passed for 3,933 yards with 34 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions, which contributed to a pass efficiency rating of 160.04 that was 12th-best nationally. Ball State’s running game took a hit when it lost running back Horactio Banks, who rushed for 595 yards and seven touchdowns before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament. The Cardinals still have leading rusher Jahwan Edwards, who ran for 964 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Cardinals scored at least 27 points in every game and scored 40 or more eight times, including in three of their last four games.
INTANGIBLES Arkansas State has familiarity on its side. The Red Wolves are playing in the GoDaddy Bowl for the third consecutive year and at Ladd-Peebles Stadium for the fourth time in 24 months. They were here less than two months ago, when they beat Sun Belt Conference opponent South Alabama 17-16 on Nov. 2 in the first of a string of four consecutive victories. Interim coach John Thompson isn’t even in a new role. He did this last year after Gus Malzahn left for Auburn and led ASU to a 17-13 victory over Kent State. He said earlier this week the familiarity of the surroundings has helped during the Red Wolves’ latest transition. Ball State last played in Mobile, Ala., in the 2009 GMAC Bowl, three years before Coach Pete Lembo arrived. The Cardinals are searching for their first bowl victory, having gone 0-7-1 and losing in their past seven bowl trips.
Sports, Pages 24 on 01/05/2014