Red Wolves set for atonement

JONESBORO -- Blake Anderson summarized the mood of Arkansas State University's football team with his opening sentence of Monday's weekly news conferences for coaches in Jonesboro.

"Seems like it's been a long time since we've played," he said. "We're anxious to get back out on the field."

It has been one week since Appalachian State marched into Jonesboro and delivered a 35-9 blow last Tuesday that shook the Red Wolves, giving them two consecutive Sun Belt Conference losses.

ASU (3-3, 0-2 Sun Belt) has ridden a roller coaster through six games that began so high -- ASU secured a winning record (3-1) against nonconference opponents for the first time since 1995 -- and recently plummeted to a .500 record.

"They've responded really as well as could be expected," said Anderson, who added ASU strung together three of its best practices over the weekend. "[We're] not really where any of us thought we'd be at this point, so you have to deal with the circumstances you're under.

"There's a renewed sense of focus that we are still in control of our own destiny, and we've got a lot to play for."

ASU, the league's preseason favorite, never expected to open Sun Belt play with two losses, Anderson said. However, the road to a Sun Belt Conference Championship Game mainly relies on head-to-head results against fellow West Division opponents -- none of which ASU will see until Oct. 27.

Anderson said the "great" response to the two losses hasn't taken away the sting.

"In terms of two losses, we've put ourselves in a position where we've really got to fight and claw to maintain where we want to be in the league," Anderson said. "But we need to find a way to beat Georgia State and move on."

For the second consecutive week, Arkansas State has multiple extra days to prepare for Thursday's 6:30 p.m. kick against Georgia State at Centennial Bank Stadium.

ASU never has lost to Georgia State in four games since 2013. Georgia State (2-4, 1-1 Sun Belt) provides the Red Wolves an opportunity to return their offense to proper condition.

One clean offensive drive could begin steering ASU away from the self-inflicted damage cited as a reason for the past two losses. One "mistake-free" drive could turn into two drives, Anderson said.

Two drives could turn into a clean quarter.

"Next thing you know, you're looking up and we're right where we want to be," he said. "We're not that far off. I know it seems like we are at times, but we're really not. There are very small things that are derailing us ... I think it could take something very small that could get us going."

The Sun Belt's eighth-best scoring offense, ASU is averaging 23.5 points in six games -- an underwheling total off of 449 yards per game. The Panthers, whose defense has allowed 34.2 points in six games, is last among 10 Sun Belt teams in scoring offense (22.3).

Georgia State has eclipsed 25 points in one game this season -- a 46-14 pounding of Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 29 -- but it has the weapons to make its offense explosive.

Junior receiver Penny Hart has a team-high 30 receptions for 395 yards, and is the owner of GSU's first punt return touchdown in school history (a 49-yard return on Sept. 29).

First-year junior starting quarterback Dan Ellington, also GSU's leading rusher with 45 yards per game, is the primary conductor of the GSU offense, posting more than 200 passing yards per game on 165 total attempts.

"They present a lot of problems for our defense," Anderson said.

Thursday, however, is about ASU not defeating itself.

"Look, we haven't played well, there's no secret to that," ASU offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner said. "We've just got to come out and do a better job of executing. If we do that, the outcome could be a little bit different."

Sports on 10/16/2018

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