LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Arkansas State has earned another Sun Belt Conference trophy, and now is one step from clinching the title all on its own.
Quarterback Fredi Knighten had a season-high 400 yards of total offense, the defense forced four turnovers, three of which were interceptions, and special teams made significant contributions in leading the Red Wolves to a 52-28 victory on Saturday at Aggie Memorial Stadium.
Arkansas State (8-3, 7-0) clinched at least a share of its fourth conference title in the past five seasons.
The Red Wolves can complete a perfect conference season and an outright title by beating Texas State (3-8, 2-5) next week at home.
"The energy on this team has been great all season," ASU Coach Blake Anderson said. "We got it done in all phases of the game. We had nine new starters on defense coming into the season and we have gotten better with each game. I'm really proud of how our team has come along this season."
Knighten completed 23 of 42 passes for 367 yards and 2 touchdowns, one to Dijon Paschal that covered 75 yards on ASU's second play. Paschal finished with four receptions for 115 yards.
"It was a great win for us," Knighten said. "We started the season slow, but we've picked it up each week and we're playing as a team. Against New Mexico State, we got the job done in every phase of the game. The goal has always been the Sun Belt Conference title. We have to a chance to win it next week. We're focused."
The Red Wolves, who were off last week before gaining 605 yards Saturday, have won 32 of their past 38 conference games.
"The week off before this game really helped us," Paschal said. " All season long, we've been focused on the game at hand. We knew this was a big game for us and we had to worry only about this game. Fredi had a good game for us. He made some big plays. He's a leader for us, he keeps us loose out there."
The Red Wolves led 35-14 at halftime, and they got there by making big plays in every phase of the game.
ASU forced two turnovers, got a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown from Blaise Taylor and had 314 yards of total offense in the first 30 minutes. The Red Wolves had scoring drives of 13 and 18 plays.
Knighten passed for 191 yards and rushed for 49 more. Paschal did most of the work of Knighten's 75-yard pass completion, breaking a tackle at the Red Wolves 32 and outrunning the NMSU defense to tie the game 7-7 in the first quarter.
Knighten, who rushed 13 times for 33 yards, later added a 5-yard scoring run. Johnston White (9-84 rushing) scored his 13th rushing touchdown and Michael Gordon (11-75 rushing) added another scoring run. The Red Wolves rushed for 238 yards.
New Mexico State (3-8, 3-4) scored its touchdowns on two Andrew Allen passes to Jordan Bergstrom, one of 46 yards to open up the scoring and one of 12 yards in the second quarter. Allen passed for 151 yards in the opening half.
Bergstrom finished the game with 4 catches for 110 yards, while running back Larry Rose III rushed for 106 yards, 37 of which came on one carry.
But ASU sacked Allen twice in the first half, and the Red Wolves linebacker Xavier Woodson-Luster intercepted a pass in the first half to end a potential NMSU scoring drive . The Red Wolves have recorded an interception in 10 consecutive games.
In the second half, Knighten connected with Tres Houston (7-155 receiving) on a 57-yard TD pass, J.D. Houston made a 34-yard field goal and Quanterio Heath returned an interception 66 yards for a touchdown. It was ASU's nation-leading 24th interception and seventh defensive touchdown.
The Red Wolves, who have won seven consecutive games, outgained NMSU 605-434, had the ball for 35:17 and won the turnover battle 4-1.
"I think you cannot take for granted going on the road and beating anybody," said Anderson, whose team has won at South Alabama, Appalachian State and Louisiana-Monroe this year. "You just pay attention to one week at a time and see guys that don't take care of their business and don't handle it. So, really for the most part from the beginning to the end we had it fairly under control."
Sports on 11/29/2015