Red Wolves look up at steep ascent in November

JONESBORO -- Arkansas State University will have to spend November in chase mode.

As of today, with three Sun Belt Conference losses strapped to their 2018 regular season, the Red Wolves already are relying on the misfortune of others to position themselves for a shot at the Sun Belt Championship Game on Dec. 1.

ASU (4-4, 1-3 Sun Belt) needs Louisiana-Lafayette (4-4, 2-2) to tumble at least twice after last weekend's 47-43 loss to the Ragin' Cajuns, and also for Louisiana-Monroe (4-4, 2-2) to falter.

But the Red Wolves remain hopeful.

"Nobody's giving up," senior wide receiver Kendrick Edwards said. "That's just a reason for everybody to keep going."

Scenarios exist for the Red Wolves to land in the Sun Belt's conference title game. The simplest is for ASU to win its remaining four games and the Ragin' Cajuns to lose two of their final four games.

The climb begins at 2 p.m. today at Centennial Bank Stadium against South Alabama (2-6, 1-3).

"They understand if we win eight games, it would give us an opportunity to win nine," ASU Coach Blake Anderson said. "Maybe if we're lucky, it'll give us a chance to win 10 and back into the championship game. They have not given up. They're fighting. That's all you can ask for."

Two of ASU's final four games -- Nov. 10 at Coastal Carolina and its Nov. 24 season finale at Texas State -- are on the road. The two others, today and Nov. 17 against Louisiana-Monroe, are in Jonesboro. Two victories would achieve bowl eligibility.

The rebound from last Saturday's loss has been encouraging, Anderson said. The season now relies on who's next: South Alabama, which has not played since its 38-17 home loss to Troy on Oct. 23.

"They've responded really well," Anderson said of this team. "They're disappointed. We're all frustrated and disappointed. None of us wanted to be where we're at right now. But they don't quit."

The Red Wolves are one of two teams on South Alabama's schedule that first-year Coach Steve Campbell faced during his tenure as the University of Central Arkansas head coach from 2014-17. The Bears beat the Red Wolves 28-23 in Jonesboro in 2016.

South Alabama has never won a game in Jonesboro, and the Jaguars have not won a road game against a Sun Belt opponent in November since a 38-17 victory Nov. 30, 2013, at Georgia State.

South Alabama carries the Sun Belt's worst scoring defense, allowing 39.1 points per game. It has accrued a Sun Belt-high 75 penalties in eight games. The Jaguars also have committed more turnovers (18) than any team in the Sun Belt.

With an identical 1-3 conference record to the Red Wolves, South Alabama is in the same must-win situation as ASU. Winning the remainder of its games would allow the Jaguars a chance to contend for the championship game berth.

For Saturday's winner, hope will remain. For the loser, its Sun Belt championship aspirations are pretty much over.

"It's a big week," Campbell said.

Today’s game

SOUTH ALABAMA AT ARKANSAS STATE

WHEN 2 p.m.

WHERE Centennial Bank Stadium, Jonesboro

RECORDS South Alabama 2-6, 1-3 Sun Belt Conference; Arkansas State 4-4, 1-3

TV None

Sports on 11/03/2018

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