Arkansas State's football team is feeling the effects of mounting injuries.
It came to the forefront late Thursday night in San Marcos, Texas, in a game that will likely be key in the Red Wolves' bowl prospects.
ASU knew Texas State was going to run right at its depleted defense, but as players started limping off the field -- or left after being ejected -- it was apparent the Red Wolves were running out of answers.
Guard Devin Mondie, center Tyler Greve, linebacker Qushaun Lee and cornerback Rocky Hayes all left Thursday's 45-27 loss to Texas State at least for a moment. Hayes never returned after suffering an undisclosed injury. Neither did safety Money Hunter, who was ejected for targeting.
"I don't know how big the depth issue is, but it definitely played a part," ASU Coach Blake Anderson said Thursday night. "We've got one more we've got to fight through and get everybody as healed up as fast as we can."
Hunter's ejection meant ASU had to move Sterling Wright to safety. Wright didn't arrive at ASU until August and midway through the season earned the starting spot at nickel back. Wright's move to safety forced ASU had to put Frankie Jackson -- who lost his starting spot in fall camp and again halfway through the season -- at nickel back.
Injuries also forced Carderious Dean, who played middle linebacker last year, to play much of the game at defensive end, and defensive tackle Clifford Thomas, who was moved over from the offensive line in the spring, played much of the game at defensive tackle.
Mounting injuries were a concern last week after Appalachian State rushed for 294 yards in a 37-32 victory in Jonesboro. They contributed to Texas State's 370 yards rushing Thursday and have played a large part in a run defense that was leading the Sun Belt Conference at one point this season.
ASU led the Sun Belt in run defense at 114.7 yards allowed per game through six games heading into its Oct. 21 showdown at Louisiana-Lafayette. Since then, ASU has given up 419 yards to Louisiana-Lafayette, 243 yards to Idaho, 294 yards to Appalachian State and 370 yards to Texas State.
ASU is giving up an average 287.4 yards rushing per games and 5.6 yards per rush over its past five games.
Texas State's Robert Lowe ran for 236 yards and four touchdowns Thursday, joining Louisiana-Lafayette's Elijah McGuire and Appalachian State's Marcus Cox as Sun Belt backs who gained more than 200 yards against the Red Wolves. Texas State also had 10 "explosive plays" -- defined by ASU's staff as any run of 12 yards or more -- in its victory. Lowe had six such runs, including three of at least 24 yards.
"They capitalized and we didn't," Anderson said. "We never really put pressure on them to change the momentum of the game."
ASU plays its final regular-season game of the season next week against New Mexico State at Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro. Anderson and ASU's players insist the Red Wolves still have plenty to play for, despite having lost three conference games for the first time since 2010.
"Times are going to get tough," running back Michael Gordon said. "We were just talking in there. Last year we were the big dog. Now we're losing. Can't win them all.
"You want to win them all, [but] stuff happens."
Sports on 11/22/2014