RB White filling in smoothly for ASU

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JONESBORO -- Ask Arkansas State Coach Blake Anderson or offensive coordinator Walt Bell to describe running back Johnston White, and they'll offer adjectives like consistent, reliable and dependable.

Not exactly the most glowing endorsements for a running back. Generally they prefer to be known as explosive, elusive and powerful.

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ARKANSAS STATE VS. UTAH STATE

WHEN 6 p.m. Saturday

WHERE Centennial Bank Stadium, Jonesboro

RECORDS Arkansas State 1-2, Utah State 2-1

COACHES Arkansas State: Blake Anderson (1-2 in first season at ASU and overall); Utah State: Matt Wells (11-6 in second season at Utah State and overall)

SERIES Utah State leads 3-2

TV None

INTERNET ESPN3, astateredwolves.com

RADIO KFIN-FM, 107.9, in Jonesboro; KKSP-FM, 93.3, in Bryant/Little Rock

White, a redshirt freshman walk-on from Convington, Tenn., seems fine with his coaches' assessment.

"I'll take them," he said. "I'll be coachable."

Those attributes have earned White more playing time than expected through the first three games this season. White, 5-11, 180 pounds, had 14 carries for a team-high 83 yards and 1 touchdown in his first career start last week at Miami.

With Michael Gordon still slowed by bruised ribs, White is in line to make his second start Saturday night when ASU (1-2) hosts Utah State (2-1) at 6 p.m. at Centennial Bank Stadium.

in line for his second start while Michael Gordon continues to recover from bruised ribs.

Anderson said Wednesday that Gordon will likely miss his second consecutive game because of his rib injury that has cut short his involvement in the first three weeks of the season. Gordon rushed for a team-high 754 yards and 10 touchdowns last season but has been limited to 14 carries for 85 yards and 1 touchdown this year after suffering the injury in the first quarter of the season opener against Montana State.

"He's not himself yet," Anderson said. "We need to get him healthy for the rest of the season."

Bell said it's clear what ASU's offense lacks without Bell in the lineup. It was most evident on ASU's first play at Miami, when White took a handoff to the left and turned the corner for a 7-yard gain before being cut down by a safety.

"You think Mike may make something special happen, make a guy miss and go score," Bell said. "Without Mike ... we probably aren't as explosive as I would like us to be."

White has emerged as the next best option thanks more to his ability to do what's needed instead of what's wanted.

"He's consistent," Anderson said. "He's quietly productive."

Anderson said the game plan last week didn't involve giving White more carries than true freshmen Terrance Hollingsworth and Brandon Byner or sophomore DeKeathan Williams. White just made the most of his opportunities. His knowledge of the offense rarely requires coaches or quarterback Fredi Knighten to tell him where he has to be on every play.

When a team plays as fast as ASU does -- its 82 plays per game rank 11th in the country according to cfbstats.com -- that type of knowledge can't be overvalued.

"It's great to have a guy where you know you don't have to say, 'Hey, you're running this,' " Knighten said. "He's like 'Yeah, I got it.' I don't have to do all that with him. I can focus on making communications with the line and the receivers."

White might not be as quick to find the holes as Gordon, but White's knowledge is enough for until Gordon comes back or the younger players learn more about the offense.

" Johnston is so comfortable," Anderson said. "He's very calm and comfortable. That kind of calms things down in the backfield."

White isn't sure what to expect Saturday in terms of carries but said he thinks he can handle more than 14 if asked.

"It's all a competition," he said. "I think I can get more, but it's how the rotation goes. You've got to get what they give you."

Sports on 09/19/2014

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