Voytik in ASU rotation

JONESBORO -- With about 14 minutes left in last week's victory over Troy, Arkansas State sent Chad Voytik, instead of Justice Hansen, onto the field to start a drive.

Hansen, ASU's sophomore quarterback, wasn't being replaced. Instead, the Red Wolves' latest offensive wrinkle was being set into motion.

As Hansen, who is 6-1 as a starter this year, watched from the sideline, Voytik engineered a 16-play, 91-yard touchdown drive that lasted 10 minutes, 53 seconds. When it was over, Daryl Rollins-Davis had scored on a 6-yard run to finish off ASU's 35-3 victory.

"That was probably the most fun drive I've ever been a part of," Voytik said this week.

The transfer from Pittsburgh took every snap on the drive. Every play was a run and Voytik himself carried six times for 11 yards, converting once on third down. It was the most significant moment for what has become ASU's new quarterback rotation.

Hansen will start Saturday's game at Louisiana-Lafayette (4-6, 3-3), and take the majority of the snaps, but at any point Voytik could jog onto the field for a key short-yardage play.

ASU's starting quarterback when the season began, Voytik has transformed into another valuable piece of the offense: an effective short-yardage ball carrier.

"It just kind of happened out of necessity," Coach Blake Anderson said.

The 6-1, 215-pounder carried 14 times for 61 yards in the victory over Troy, by far his most playing time since losing his starting spot in a September loss to Utah State. He's thrown just six passes since that game, but in the last two games he's rushed 22 times for 87 yards.

It's not the role Voytik envisioned when he signed as a graduate transfer in June, but after losing his spot following two first-quarter turnovers against Utah State, it's better than nothing. After losing his job, Voytik didn't take a snap against Central Arkansas. He carried once against Georgia Southern and three times against South Alabama and Louisiana-Monroe as Anderson and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner realized the benefit.

It's a regular part of the offense now, almost as expected as a handoff to Warren Wand or a pass over the middle to Blake Mack.

"I'm just so thankful to have a role, and to be a part of it and contribute to the team," Voytik said. "It's a lot better than standing on the sidelines. I've loved the snaps I've gotten and look forward to the ones I'll get."

The drive at Troy was the first Voytik directed in its entirety since losing his spot. Typically, he's coming off the sideline for short bursts when ASU needs a couple of yards to keep a drive going.

Ten of his carries last week came when he went to the field in the middle of the drive. Anderson, Voytk and Hansen all said it's an operation that moves more smoothly than some would imagine, too.

Faulkner, who calls plays from the press box, will tell graduate assistant Parks Frazier, who is on the sideline, which quarterback to use, then will call the play. If Hansen, watching for the play, sees Voytik's helmet strapped on, that's his cue to leave the field.

"First thing out of Buster's mouth is 'Send Chad' or 'send Justice,' " Anderson said. "From that point on, it's pretty standard. But he's got to be paying attention and he's got to be ready to go."

As the backup, Voytik already knew that he could go in at any minute. But he said this week that since he's been running more, he's watching on the sideline with his helmet on and his mouthpiece within reach.

"I'm definitely more involved in the games," he said.

Hansen said it doesn't disrupt his rhythm, either. It might, he said, if the substitution weren't successful. But with Voytik averaging almost 4.0 yards per carry the last two games, he's making things easier for when Hansen returns to the offense.

"It's about the flow of the offense," Hansen said. "He's not coming in and getting a negative five yards. He's getting us in manageable second and third downs and converting on third and shorts. I think it's helped us."

It requires a lot of moving parts, Anderson said, but the benefits have so far outweighed the risks.

"There's a reason that's not the way you plan it," he said. "But they've done such a good job of working together and there's no ego involved, so it's worked fine."

Sports on 11/24/2016