Talk is cheap.
Action isn't.
On Thursday Arkansas State University announced its action plan for the new football offices and practice facility that will be built in the north end zone of the soon-to-be-renamed ASU Stadium.
The price tag is $22 million.
But even larger than the price tag is the commitment that the school is making to football. It speaks volumes. It shouts to the rest of the state and the region: "We are A-State!"
It is significant.
A 1982 graduate, it is easy to say, this is not my ASU. Well it is. It will always be. But it is a new day in Jonesboro.
We have heard this talk and the worn out phrases of "next level" and "Boise State of the South" for months now. If that is going to happen, this is the first step.
Recruits have mentioned the new facility when interviewed about their commitment or their visits. We now see the reality.
Here is a look at that reality:
http://www.arkst.com/board/index.php?topic=55147.0
Even more impressive is the promise the $22 million facility will be from Red Wolf Club funds. Seems the RWC is heading into new territory as well.
It is indeed a promising day for the school's football program and its supporters.
If ASU is going to improve its status in the world of college football this is the next step.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Some thoughts on the Oregon Trail disaster
First off, the scaries moment in last night's game with the Oregon Ducks was not the first half when Oregon did what it wanted, but was Ryan Aplin appeared to hurt his hand in the third quarter trying to make a tackle after an apparent turnover.
The play that was later ruled an incomplete pass. More importantly, Aplin finished the game.
And so did the Red Wolves.
I have never been one who took pleasure in saying "we won the second half."
Oregon is good. Very good. Maybe the fastest team I've ever witnessed. At least I hope they are that fast and ASU is not that slow. We are going with the first premise that the Ducks are that fast. And probably as fast as anyone in the country. Their fate will be decided how well they play on the offensive and defensive lines.
If they win the national title it will the second time in three years ASU started the season against the eventually national champ. After an angry first half, I stopped hating Chip Kelly so much in the second half when he allowed ASU to make the score respectable.
-- I do like this offense. And I like some of the weapons. The RBs look solid, the receivers very good. Want to see D Griswold get more action. He moves well for a big man.
--ASU will be a lot better team in a month, when we have the most important game of the season against Western Kentucky at home in the Sun Belt opener.
I expect ASU will be 2-2 at that time and that game could be the turning point of the season.
--At the end of the day in Eugene, and the beginning of the morning in Arkansas, the final score and the stats will make folks who did not watch that it was a decent game. Those numbers should also help with the computer rankings, etc ...
I don't think computers watch TV. For ASU's sake, let's hope not.
The play that was later ruled an incomplete pass. More importantly, Aplin finished the game.
And so did the Red Wolves.
I have never been one who took pleasure in saying "we won the second half."
Oregon is good. Very good. Maybe the fastest team I've ever witnessed. At least I hope they are that fast and ASU is not that slow. We are going with the first premise that the Ducks are that fast. And probably as fast as anyone in the country. Their fate will be decided how well they play on the offensive and defensive lines.
If they win the national title it will the second time in three years ASU started the season against the eventually national champ. After an angry first half, I stopped hating Chip Kelly so much in the second half when he allowed ASU to make the score respectable.
-- I do like this offense. And I like some of the weapons. The RBs look solid, the receivers very good. Want to see D Griswold get more action. He moves well for a big man.
--ASU will be a lot better team in a month, when we have the most important game of the season against Western Kentucky at home in the Sun Belt opener.
I expect ASU will be 2-2 at that time and that game could be the turning point of the season.
--At the end of the day in Eugene, and the beginning of the morning in Arkansas, the final score and the stats will make folks who did not watch that it was a decent game. Those numbers should also help with the computer rankings, etc ...
I don't think computers watch TV. For ASU's sake, let's hope not.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Mark May, TV talk and a prediction
ESPN's Mark May made a little noise at the opening meeting of the Little Rock Touchdown Club when he said, and we paraphrase here, that Arkansas State should treat its games with Oregon and Nebraska like exhibition games and not play its regulars.
Say what?
When asked about it, Gus Malzahn said it was "TV talk" and he knows Mark May and if he were coaching the Red Wolves he would not have that approach.
I don't think that the Gus Company does either.
What is Oregon comes out and turns it over six times, all on its end of the field. Its freshmen QB has the jitters, makes bad decisions and ASU all of the sudden has a chance to win.
A chance to win on national TV. That is why you prepare to win. Just in case.
I don't think the Red Wolves' chances of winning are that good. In fact, at a lunch meeting with some ASU folks recently, I mentioned 48-24 would be a good outcome. One in the group added he would take that and be happy.
Seems to me there is this thing in football at what my homeboy and former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer used to call "hanging half a hundred on them."
When you are looking at scores -- those in the 40s look a lot better than when someone has hit the 50-mark. And scoring some makes things even better. And I do believe ASU will score some.
Stopping the Ducks .. well that is another issue.
So .. for good taste .. we will stay at 48-24.
Say what?
When asked about it, Gus Malzahn said it was "TV talk" and he knows Mark May and if he were coaching the Red Wolves he would not have that approach.
I don't think that the Gus Company does either.
What is Oregon comes out and turns it over six times, all on its end of the field. Its freshmen QB has the jitters, makes bad decisions and ASU all of the sudden has a chance to win.
A chance to win on national TV. That is why you prepare to win. Just in case.
I don't think the Red Wolves' chances of winning are that good. In fact, at a lunch meeting with some ASU folks recently, I mentioned 48-24 would be a good outcome. One in the group added he would take that and be happy.
Seems to me there is this thing in football at what my homeboy and former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer used to call "hanging half a hundred on them."
When you are looking at scores -- those in the 40s look a lot better than when someone has hit the 50-mark. And scoring some makes things even better. And I do believe ASU will score some.
Stopping the Ducks .. well that is another issue.
So .. for good taste .. we will stay at 48-24.
Monday, August 27, 2012
7-5
Yes I know it is not the popular pick.
Most you see this preseason has the Red Wolves around 10-2 and 9-3. I am not saying that is out of the question .... but I just don't see it. It seems like 7-5 in a lot more reasonable.
Even coach Gus Malzahn, in his comments in Little Rock last week, said the coming season was going to have some "growing pains."
I know there are reasons to be optimistic, but there are also many, many reasons to have concern.
I am old school enough to believe football is still won on the line of scrimmage. As in an offensive line that controls the other side and a defensive line that can do whatever it wants. We pretty much saw that last year with the ASU defensive line that came of age and also had a stud on one end named Brandon Joiner.
Brandon was the league's defensive player of the year and was someone the other team's offensive coordinators looked at and said let's try the other side.
I do believe the interior can be very strong and Amos Draper, if he comes to play every down, can be as good as there is in the Sun Belt.
It is on the end, where Tim Starson, is the only proven hand.
At a recent lunch get-together of guys who know and spend way too much time thinking about Red Wolves football my 7-5 pick was on the low end.
We had a 9-3 and two 8-4s.
I thought I had one of the 8-4s in my corner but he switched at the last moment.
The reason for the 7-5 is the schedule.
I look at it and believe the Red Wolves can run the table at home. That is a 6-0 mark right now
The road games look to be very tough. The two best scenarios would be Florida Atlantic and South Alabama on the road. We have USA at home and we don't get to play FAU.
Instead there are trips to UL-Lafayette, Florida International, Troy and North Texas.
I know Troy was down. But I also know they live in a talent rich area and I do not expect them to be down long although the emergence of South Bama will dilute the talent there some.
I am banking on winning one of the four conference road games.
At the end of the day, I think 7-5 if a good year. You go bowling again and you have back-to-back winning season. And since we've only had two winning regular season in I-A before last season that is pretty darn good.
Most you see this preseason has the Red Wolves around 10-2 and 9-3. I am not saying that is out of the question .... but I just don't see it. It seems like 7-5 in a lot more reasonable.
Even coach Gus Malzahn, in his comments in Little Rock last week, said the coming season was going to have some "growing pains."
I know there are reasons to be optimistic, but there are also many, many reasons to have concern.
I am old school enough to believe football is still won on the line of scrimmage. As in an offensive line that controls the other side and a defensive line that can do whatever it wants. We pretty much saw that last year with the ASU defensive line that came of age and also had a stud on one end named Brandon Joiner.
Brandon was the league's defensive player of the year and was someone the other team's offensive coordinators looked at and said let's try the other side.
I do believe the interior can be very strong and Amos Draper, if he comes to play every down, can be as good as there is in the Sun Belt.
It is on the end, where Tim Starson, is the only proven hand.
At a recent lunch get-together of guys who know and spend way too much time thinking about Red Wolves football my 7-5 pick was on the low end.
We had a 9-3 and two 8-4s.
I thought I had one of the 8-4s in my corner but he switched at the last moment.
The reason for the 7-5 is the schedule.
I look at it and believe the Red Wolves can run the table at home. That is a 6-0 mark right now
The road games look to be very tough. The two best scenarios would be Florida Atlantic and South Alabama on the road. We have USA at home and we don't get to play FAU.
Instead there are trips to UL-Lafayette, Florida International, Troy and North Texas.
I know Troy was down. But I also know they live in a talent rich area and I do not expect them to be down long although the emergence of South Bama will dilute the talent there some.
I am banking on winning one of the four conference road games.
At the end of the day, I think 7-5 if a good year. You go bowling again and you have back-to-back winning season. And since we've only had two winning regular season in I-A before last season that is pretty darn good.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Per Dr. Fitz Hill of Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock.
Michael Dyer, former Auburn and Arkansas State running back, has enrolled at the school, which fields a junior college football team. He will not be eligible to play.
Hopefully Dyer will get his life together. He lives with his uncle, a LRPD office.
Michael Dyer, former Auburn and Arkansas State running back, has enrolled at the school, which fields a junior college football team. He will not be eligible to play.
Hopefully Dyer will get his life together. He lives with his uncle, a LRPD office.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Gus in Little Rock
Thanks to the fine folks at Arkansas Business Publishing Group, mainly A-State alum Jeff Hankins, we had our annual visit from the Red Wovles head football coach Thursday in Little Rock. The event was held at War Memorial Stadium, a place Gus Malzahn has an attachment. Of course winning state titles there it can have that result.
And don't be surprised is the Red Wovles return there soon. As in 2013 soon. There is nothing official or on the record here, but two sources have confirmed it is very likely.
With that happening, that would leave five games for Jonesboro -- four league games and non-conference with UAPB. The Red Wolves play at Auburn and Memphis next year for the other non-conference games.
Malzahn made no comment and was not asked about it by the 150-plus who were in attendance. Among the crowd were several members of the WMS Commission and other representatives of the stadium, which is fearful of losing one of two games that another FBS school in the state plays there. (In case you have not noticed they are still advertising ticket sales for those two games.)
Little Rock is going to happen. It is just a case of when.
A good move, and not a surprise based on Malzahn's roots, is the high school coaches who attended the press conference for Monday and Tuesday's games at the stadium, were invited to join the Howl Raisers.
As far as big news, KATV-Channel 7 will have an hour special on Red Wolves football --a first -- on Wednesday night. Malzahn's coach's show will also be on Channel 7 on Sunday afternoons.
He did very little mentioning of personnel, but praised the freshmen class and said "we did not miss on any of them." He said about the only rookies set for redshirts at this point are the running backs, where "we have good depth.''
On Fredi Knighten, in a battle for the backup quarterback spot, "he is what we thought he was."
And don't be surprised is the Red Wovles return there soon. As in 2013 soon. There is nothing official or on the record here, but two sources have confirmed it is very likely.
With that happening, that would leave five games for Jonesboro -- four league games and non-conference with UAPB. The Red Wolves play at Auburn and Memphis next year for the other non-conference games.
Malzahn made no comment and was not asked about it by the 150-plus who were in attendance. Among the crowd were several members of the WMS Commission and other representatives of the stadium, which is fearful of losing one of two games that another FBS school in the state plays there. (In case you have not noticed they are still advertising ticket sales for those two games.)
Little Rock is going to happen. It is just a case of when.
A good move, and not a surprise based on Malzahn's roots, is the high school coaches who attended the press conference for Monday and Tuesday's games at the stadium, were invited to join the Howl Raisers.
As far as big news, KATV-Channel 7 will have an hour special on Red Wolves football --a first -- on Wednesday night. Malzahn's coach's show will also be on Channel 7 on Sunday afternoons.
He did very little mentioning of personnel, but praised the freshmen class and said "we did not miss on any of them." He said about the only rookies set for redshirts at this point are the running backs, where "we have good depth.''
On Fredi Knighten, in a battle for the backup quarterback spot, "he is what we thought he was."
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