JONESBORO -- Warren Wand has heard his whole life that he can't carry a full load as a running back, that his slight stature makes it so he's nothing more than a role player.
The Arkansas State sophomore stands at 5-5, a reality that brings questions about how much he can handle while playing a position that requires regular poundings.
Up next
ARKANSAS ST. AT UTAH ST.
WHEN 8 p.m. Central, Friday
WHERE Maverick Stadium, Logan, Utah
RECORDS Arkansas St. 0-2, Utah St. 1-1
SERIES Tied 3-3
TV CBS Sports Network
RADIO KASR-FM, 92.7, in Little Rock/Benton; KFIN-FM, 107.9, in Jonesboro
LINE Utah State by 91/2
INTERNET astateredwolves.com
Wand long ago grew tired of the skepticism.
"Sometimes it gets frustrating," said Wand, before calling those questioning his durability "jerks."
Wand might soon get his chance to prove his moxie for the Red Wolves.
While junior Johnston White watched from the sideline in street clothes because of an injured hamstring, Wand earned his first career start Saturday in ASU's 51-14 loss at Auburn. To make matters worse for ASU, junior Armond Weh-Weh was lost in the first quarter with an injured knee. On Monday, Red Wolves Coach Blake Anderson said Weh-Weh's torn ACL would require season-ending surgery.
With White and Weh-Weh on the sideline, Wand carried more than he had at any point for ASU. He finished with 16 rushes for 37 yards and caught 1 pass for 17 yards.
But Wand shrugged off the heavy load, saying he walked off the grass at Jordan-Hare Stadium with nothing more than "normal soreness."
"Nothing I didn't expect," he said.
If Wand, who had 707 yards in a part-time role for ASU last season, has to be the lead guy again Friday night against Utah State, coaches are preaching confidence.
"Warren is a very, very, very explosive, strong human being," Red Wolves offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner said. "I think he can handle anything. I think he can handle it 25-30 times a game if he had to. Obviously, you don't want to do that week in and week out, but he's capable of doing that."
Anderson said he is hopeful Wand won't have to carry a rushing attack that has been held to 104.5 yards and 2.8 yards per carry through two games by himself. He said Monday morning he was hopeful for White's return Friday. White practiced in half-pads Monday night, but wore a red jersey indicating that he hasn't yet fully been cleared to play.
But Anderson sad he was encouraged by what the saw.
"He moved around a lot better than I thought he would," he said.
Anderson also said he'll feel fine with a rotation of Wand and White, who has yet to register a carry in two games this season. Coaches said during fall practice that a rotation of three was preferred, similar to what they used last season with Michael Gordon as the lead back when ASU ranked 15th nationally at 231.3 rushing yards per game.
Now that Weh-Weh is not available, Wand and White, who combined for 1,323 yards last year, will have to carry the bulk of the load while others who have yet to see much time fill in behind them. Logan Moragne, a sophomore from Little Rock Central, carried three times for 10 yards against Auburn, while sophomore Daryl Rollins-Davis carried once for 4 yards. Anderson said neither had mental errors during the loss.
Anderson said redshirt freshman Jamal Jones has moved from the scout team to get reps, too. Moragne, Rollins-Davis and Jones have combined for 26 career carries, but they will fill in at a position suddenly lacking in proven depth.
Meaning, if White can't go Friday, it'll likely be up to Wand to create a rushing presence.
"Warren will take most of the load if [White] is out, and we'll use the other three sparingly based off of what they do well," Anderson said.
That's no problem for Wand, who said Weh-Weh's injury was unfortunate and that the team is better if White is in the mix, too. But he said he'll handle as much as needed.
"Personally, I don't really think about it," he said. "We're prepared for anything. It's just a mindset. You do what you can."
Sports on 09/14/2016