Know Your Enemy: Arkansas State Red Wolves
The Vols cannot overlook Arkansas State. The Red Wolves are good enough to beat Tennessee if the Vols aren’t careful. PHOTO: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Who: Arkansas State Red Wolves — Jonesboro, AR
Distance From Knoxville: 461 miles
Head coach: Blake Anderson (1st year)
Conference: Sun Belt
2013 Record: 1-0
Ranking: N/A
All time series: Tennessee leads 1-0
Last meeting: The Vols won in Knoxville in 2007, 48-27
Leading Passer: Fredi Knighten — 219 yards, TD
Leading Rusher: Fredi Knighten — 16 carries, 93 yards
Leading Receiver: Tres Houston — 8 catches, 87 yards
When a team goes through five coaches in five seasons, that typically means the program has suffered major attrition and is likely one of the bottom-feeders of the NCAA.
That’s not the case with Arkansas State.
The Arkansas State Red Wolves first became an FBS team in 2001 when they joined the Sun Belt Conference, and they have found remarkably quick success amid some of the most unusual circumstances.
From 2002-2010, Steve Roberts coached Arkansas State and laid the foundation for what wold lead to the most successful era in program history. While Roberts finished with a 45-63 overall record, he led Arkansas State (called the “Indians” until 2008) to their first Sun Belt championship and their first bowl invitation in 2005.
In fact, in 2008 the newly monickered “Red Wolves” defeated Texas A&M in their inaugural game with their new mascot.
As impressive as Roberts’ deeds were, they pale in comparison to the last half decade.
The Red Wolves went 10-3 in both 2011 and 2012, and followed that up with an 8-5 season last year. What’s more notable than their record is who has coached them.
In 2011, Hugh Freeze was the head man in Jonesboro. After his 10-3 season, Ole Miss hired him away. In 2012, Gus Malzahn led State to a 10-3 record then bolted for Auburn, nearly leading them to a National Championship in 2013.
Next came John Harsin, who, after an 8-5 season, left to coach his alma mater, Boise State.
The head man for Arkansas State in 2014 looks to stick around a while (and may be forced to with a $3 million buyout in his contract). Blake Anderson was previously the offensive coordinator for North Carolina, and he looks to continue the success the Red Wolves have built, all while establishing some stability in the process.
Anderson and his staff tout an adept offense with a serviceable defense. Junior QB Fredi Knighten is yet another dual-threat quarterback, and unlike Utah State’s Chuckie Keaton, Knighten is not coming off major surgery and should have confidence heading into Saturday’s match-up.
Knighten leads the team in passing and rushing yards, but he’s not a a one-man show. The Red Wolves boast a skilled receiving corps, led by 6-2 junior Tres Houston and 5-11 junior J.D. McKissic. They also possess an athletic tight end in 6-5, 264 lbs Darion Griswold.
The Red Wolves know how to run the ball as well, racking up 283 yards against Montana State last week thanks to Knighten and a duo of running backs. Junior Michael Gordon and sophomore Johnston White (a Covington, TN native) will spearhead the Red Wolves rushing attack when Knighten doesn’t take matters into his own hands.
The Vols must be weary of Arkansas State because the Red Wolves might catch Tennessee in a rather advantageous spot. The Vols are coming off an impressive 38-7 win over Utah State and have a date with Oklahoma looming on September 13th, so overlooking a Sun Belt team isn’t out of the question.
The keys for the Vols will be to contain Knighten and be wary of tricky play-calling. Tennessee should out-match Arkansas State from a talent standpoint, but they will need to execute as well in order to ensure a comfortable victory.
Of Note:
The Vols hold an 8-0 record all-time against Sun Belt teams. The two closest meetings have come in the past two seasons, a 55-48 win over Troy in 2012 and a 31-24 victory over South Alabama in 2013.
The Vols and Arkansas State share an odd link. In 1989, Arkansas State head coach Larry Lacewell left the then-Indians to become the defensive coordinator for Johnny Majors at Tennessee until 1992.