Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Red Wolves develop benefits of two TEs
JONESBORO — Arkansas State University called 13 plays with two tight ends simultaneously on the field Thursday, offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner said.
Three went for touchdowns.
Given the Red Wolves’ success with two-tight end offensive sets in the 51-35 victory over Georgia State, ASU (4-3, 1-2 Sun Belt Conference) isn’t keeping its new offensive look a secret.
There will be more to come.
“It’s a luxury that we haven’t always had,” ASU Coach Blake Anderson said, “but we have now.”
Two things have led to
ASU’s deployment of two tight ends to the field at the same time. Brandon Bowling’s season-ending knee injury in early October forced ASU to reassess its pass-catching options and depth. The additional tight end helps free ASU’s wide receivers while also fortifying its running game with an extra, more experienced run blocker.
“It’s just two big bodies on the field,” redshirt sophomore tight end Javonis Isaac said. “Other teams are not really used to seeing that, so it’s different for them and a whole lot easier on us.”
Isaac, whose three touchdowns are tied for ASU’s most among all receivers, is the Red Wolves’ No. 1 tight end. A 6-2, 248-pounder, Isaac is the most experienced ASU tight end beside freshman Reed Tyler, who made his first career start Thursday.
How often does ASU plan on sending out the dual tight ends?
“Little by little. It was a good change-up for us,” Anderson said. “Reed Tyler is coming along. I think Javonis is blocking really, really well right now. They’re both improving their ability to catch the ball, so we still have the ability to be balanced.
“Losing Brandon Bowling really made us re-evaluate personnel sets and bodies and who’s available. It just seemed like a good progression to move in that direction. It seems to be a good set for us. It does put defenses in some pretty predictable looks.”
Formations with both Isaac and Tyler can confuse
a defense. Two tight ends would suggest ASU has added a blocker to support a running play. When an opposing defense buys the run, ASU’s wide receivers usually find themselves in one-onone matchups.
“It definitely helps the wideouts and the running backs at the same time,” Isaac said. “They’ll be debating if it’s a run play because we’re too big.”
“It puts you in a position to where you really have to make some choices,” Anderson added.
Tyler, a true freshman who’s developing as a run blocker, played fewer than 10 snaps Thursday as ASU’s solo tight end, Faulkner said. Isaac, who said his route running needs polishing, is carrying the majority of ASU’s tight end workload and has nine catches for 181 yards this season.
“[Isaac’s] hands have gotten better over the last three years,” Faulkner said. “He’s faster than you think. He’s not a great route runner. He’s got to continue to get better there as far as running routes — crossing routes, curl routes.
“But anytime we’re able to get him in an isolated situation where he’s able to run vertical or run to the flats, he’s as good as anybody. He’s strong. He’s tough to bring down.”