JONESBORO -- Arkansas State already knew Quanterio Heath was going to be its only linebacker with any experience for the first half of Saturday's season opener at Southern California.
That lack of experience will last a bit longer.
Coach Blake Anderson said Wednesday that he has suspended junior weak side linebacker Xavier Woodson for the first two games of the season -- Saturday at USC and a Sept. 12 home game against Missouri -- for "off-the-field issues that we've dealt with."
Anderson announced in January that Woodson would miss the first half of Saturday's game after he was ejected during ASU's GoDaddy Bowl loss to Toledo. Woodson did not participate during ASU's second preseason scrimmage and was not listed on a depth chart released Monday. Defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen said that day that it had not been determined whether Woodson would travel with the team to USC.
Anderson would not elaborate on the nature of the off-the-field issues that led to Woodson's suspension.
"It was something that we felt like all of the above created an opportunity to send a message not only to him, but to the team," said Anderson, who is in his second season at ASU. "He's one of our better players, and we're going to treat everybody the same. He did some things that we're not in line with, what we believe, and we need to discipline him. He's handled it right ever since."
Woodson earned Sun Belt Conference honorable mention honors last season after making 95 tackles, the most of any returning player. According to a depth chart released Monday, freshman Tajhea Cahmbers is scheduled to start in his place and sophomore Khari Lain, who moved to the position during spring practice, is listed as his backup.
That means Heath is the only real experience the Red Wolves will have at linebacker against a USC offense that features plenty of play-makers, led by quarterback Cody Kessler.
"We have to communicate better," Heath said. "I've got a freshman starting beside me, so I've got to take up for his mistakes. If he makes a mistake, I put that on me."
It's a challenge Heath has been waiting on for two years while playing behind Qushaun Lee, a four-year starter who finished his career fourth on ASU's all-time tackles list.
Cauthen complimented Heath for his ability to take the reigns of the position. Heath moved to the top of the depth chart during spring practice and never wavered after having little chance of starting last season.
"He wants to be the guy. He really does," Cauthen said. "Last year he never thought he could be because of Q. Lee. Now, he sees that he has this opportunity and he's trying to seize it."
Heath had other difficulties last season, too. He was suspended for the season opener against Montana State for a violation of team rules and then missed six games because of wrist surgery.
"He's had a couple of rough battles, but he's come out the other side," Anderson said. "His role has expanded and he's done a good job with it."
He'll be key Saturday against what will likely be the most talented team ASU plays this season, but Heath said he won't try to emulate his former teammate Lee.
"I have my style of game and he had his," Heath said. "We just tried to feed off each other while we were playing together, and now it's time to show what I can do."
Sports on 09/03/2015