Sun Belt repeat questionable, possible for Red Wolves

SEAN SAUNDERS

Arkansas State football coach Blake Anderson insists he’s still “building a monster” even after the one last year won the Sun Belt Conference at 8-0 and finished 9-4.

Monsters can be unpredictable, however, and that’s where Anderson finds himself. Gone are several offensive skill players Red Wolf fans have grown to love over the years, namely quarterback Fredi Knighten, running back Michael Gordon, wide receivers J.D. McKissic (Atlanta Falcons) and Tres Houston and tight end Darion Griswold (Indianapolis Colts). Some of those players witnessed and even contributed to Arkansas State winning four Sun Belt crowns in five years.

Anderson continuously says he’s excited about the potential of the remaining skill players but a huge question mark looms over Knighten’s replacement at quarterback. At least the new guy will have a veteran offensive line and the support of arguably the Sun Belt’s top defense.

Quarterbacks in question are Pittsburgh graduate transfer Chad Voytik and sophomore junior-college transfer Justice Hansen. James Tabary, who started three games last year when Knighten went down with an early-season injury, was the logical successor until dismissed from the team.

Voytik was Pitt’s starter in 2014, completing 61.3 percent of his passes for 2,233 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions for the third-best efficiency in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Hansen had strong numbers at Butler County (Kan.) Community College, completing 77.3 percent for 1,694 yards, 12 touchdowns and two picks in nine games.

Both are also scrambling threats, Voytik rushing for 466 yards and three TDs in 2014 and Hansen 226 yards and four scores in 2015. Reports indicate the QB decision could go right down to the opening kickoff Sept. 2 against Toledo at Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro.

“Flash” Gordon rushed for 1,062 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior but had plenty of help to keep him fresh. Now in the forefront are sophomore Warren Wand, 709 yards and five TDs on 118 freshman carries, and fourthyear junior “Silky” Johnston White, 99 carries for 614 yards and a team-high 14 touchdowns last season.

While the receiving corps took the most hits, it features one returning starter in fourthyear junior Dijon Paschal. Paschal has 65 career receptions for 1,183 yards and seven TDs, following his breakout freshman campaign with 28 grabs for 541 yards and three scores a year ago.

After that, Anderson really starts discussing potential, beginning with junior TCU transfer Cameron Echols-Luper. Echols-Luper struggled to crack the starting rotation for the Horned Frogs, 13 catches for 93 yards over two seasons, but did grab nine for 72 in TCU’s 2014 Big 12 co-championship season. Arkansas State has another Big 12 transfer in Kendall Sanders from Texas.

Then there are the Red Wolves who toiled behind last year’s starting standouts, led by explosive junior Chris Murray and his 11 catches for 187 yards and three touchdowns. Fourthyear junior Sterling Stowers of Hardy (Highland) caught a touchdown among his five for 51 yards, and junior Blake Mack (seven receptions, 86 yards) of Lonoke has converted to tight end to take Griswold’s place.

While first-year offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, replacing Walt Bell after he took the same position at Maryland, works with the skill players, Faulkner has the luxury of an offensive line full of returning seniors, with right tackle Joseph Bacchus (6-5, 291 pounds) the only starting lineman who hasn’t used a redshirt. Left tackle Jemar Clark (6-6, 307) of McCrory and right guard Colton Jackson (6-4, 300) of Ozark anchor the line after making the all-Sun Belt first team a year ago.

Center Devin Mondie (6-5, 302) and left guard Austin Moreton (6-1, 314) of Fort Smith Southside round out the front line, which totals 106 combined starts.

Arkansas State’s defensive front boasts nearly as much experience but still must replace second-team all-Sun Belt end Chris Stone. Third-year defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen is quite pleased to have his other end, first-team all-Sun Belt selection Ja’Von Rolland-Jones, back after Rolland-Jones led the league with nine sacks among his 13 tackles for losses totaling 71 yards as a third-year sophomore.

The other end spot appears a committee effort rotating junior Caleb Caston, fifth-year senior Chase Robison, senior Chris Odom and sophomore Griffin Riggs. Cauthen is also high on junior college transfer Dajon Emory.

Senior Waylon Roberson (6-2, 341), a run stopper with 38 tackles and a forced fumble last year, received a lift during the offseason when tackle mate Robert Mondie was granted a fifth year of eligibility. Mondie (6-2, 321), transferring to Jonesboro after Alabama-Birmingham temporarily shuttered its football program, had 24 tackles, including 4 ½ for losses, and a fumble recovery.

They also have a massive backup for both in Alabama transfer Dee Liner (6-3, 325). Liner, a redshirt junior and former high school all-American, has generated preseason all-Sun Belt buzz without playing a single Red Wolf snap.

Arkansas State’s two-main linebacking corps returns junior Khari Lain and senior Xavier Woodson-Luster, plus major support from fifth-year senior Quanterio Heath of Rison. Lain had a team-high 81 tackles as a sophomore, Woodson-Luster with 71 stops and Heath 31. Lain and Heath each had defensive scores, the Red Wolves forcing 34 takeaways for the second-most in the nation.

They led the country in defensive scores (eight) and interceptions (26), passing around a pro wrestling title belt whenever someone made a takeaway, but they’ll miss outspoken graduated cornerback Rocky Hayes and his team-high six picks. They still have plenty of experience in seniors Cody Brown (safety), Chris Humes (safety) and Money Hunter (nickelback) and junior Blaise Taylor at cornerback. Those four combined for nine interceptions and three defensive scores last season, and Hunter, son of former Major League Baseball player Torii Hunter of Pine Bluff, returned two of his three picks for TDs.

Taylor, son of assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach Trooper Taylor, has become one of the most electric returners in the country, returning a punt for a score in each of his first two seasons. He also returned a kickoff for a TD last year.

Junior Brandon Byner was the leading candidate for the other corner spot out of spring. Fifthyear junior Jamaris Hart was another potential starter before rupturing his Achilles tendon before camp.

Senior J.D. Houston returns for kicking after hitting 12 of 14 field goals last season. With Luke Ferguson gone, Houston could be called on to punt.

League coaches closely picked the Red Wolves to finish second behind Appalachian State, and the two don’t play each other this year. Georgia Southern was voted a close third, and Arkansas State opens Sun Belt play Oct. 5 against the Eagles.

But the Red Wolves remain focused on their tough start, which includes a Sept. 10 trip to Auburn and former coach Gus Malzahn.