Red Wolves to face FAU
Austin Emerson
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Sports
Arkansas State will be looking to redeem itself when the football team takes the field this weekend.
Coming off a bye week, the Red Wolves (4-5, 2-2 Sun Belt) take on the Florida Atlantic Owls Saturday at ASU Stadium after losing to Florida International 22-21 on a busted play at the end of the fourth quarter.
"They run more two back sets, and more of an NFL style offense," head coach Steve Roberts said. "They do a great job and spread you out with some outside runs then come back in the middle and do a great job moving the pocket on their throwing game.
"They involve everybody including fullbacks and tight ends," Roberts said.
The bye week was the third and last for ASU this season. Last year the team only had one bye week, but after a rainout against Memphis, the team was forced to play on the open date.
So far this season ASU is 1-1 coming off the open date.
"The byes help though because we are banged up just like everyone else and those weeks help," Roberts said.
The Red Wolves will be trying to snap a three-game losing streak and hopefully climb back into the Sun Belt Conference championship race. ASU is 3-1 at home, while the Owls are 2-4 on the road.
Florida Atlantic (5-5, 3-2 Sun Belt) is in the midst of a four-game winning streak. Last week the Owls defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 40-29.
The Owls will be bringing reigning Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week Rusty Smith. The quarterback won the award after completing 17 of 26 passes for 290 yards and four touchdowns against the Cajuns. FAU also won the conference's defensive award for defensive back Corey Smalls 10 tackles and an interception.
"Rusty Smith is back to his form from last year and that is playing exceptional football," Roberts said. "Their defense is very good; it's basically the same defense we saw last year, very physical.
"They have a good linebacker and are very physical up front," Roberts said. "They do a great job scheme wise. It's just going to be a big-time challenge for our offense."
The overall series between the two teams is 1-2 in favor of Florida Atlantic, with ASU winning the first game 3-0 in overtime at home and the Owls winning the last two 29-0 and 34-31.
"This has been a challenging series," Roberts said "They have great athletes and do a great job of coaching them, and they are always going to be in the hunt.
"There is no doubt about that based on where they are located and what they have to choose from in an athletic standpoint. They are a very good program."
Fans who attend the game are encouraged to "Black Out" ASU Stadium for the final home game of the year, which also marks the ASU Senior Day. ASU is asking fans to wear anything black to show their support for the team and seniors that will be playing their last home game.
The game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at ASU Stadium. The Red Wolves have won eight of their last 10 home games dating back to last season.
Coming off a bye week, the Red Wolves (4-5, 2-2 Sun Belt) take on the Florida Atlantic Owls Saturday at ASU Stadium after losing to Florida International 22-21 on a busted play at the end of the fourth quarter.
"They run more two back sets, and more of an NFL style offense," head coach Steve Roberts said. "They do a great job and spread you out with some outside runs then come back in the middle and do a great job moving the pocket on their throwing game.
"They involve everybody including fullbacks and tight ends," Roberts said.
The bye week was the third and last for ASU this season. Last year the team only had one bye week, but after a rainout against Memphis, the team was forced to play on the open date.
So far this season ASU is 1-1 coming off the open date.
"The byes help though because we are banged up just like everyone else and those weeks help," Roberts said.
The Red Wolves will be trying to snap a three-game losing streak and hopefully climb back into the Sun Belt Conference championship race. ASU is 3-1 at home, while the Owls are 2-4 on the road.
Florida Atlantic (5-5, 3-2 Sun Belt) is in the midst of a four-game winning streak. Last week the Owls defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 40-29.
The Owls will be bringing reigning Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week Rusty Smith. The quarterback won the award after completing 17 of 26 passes for 290 yards and four touchdowns against the Cajuns. FAU also won the conference's defensive award for defensive back Corey Smalls 10 tackles and an interception.
"Rusty Smith is back to his form from last year and that is playing exceptional football," Roberts said. "Their defense is very good; it's basically the same defense we saw last year, very physical.
"They have a good linebacker and are very physical up front," Roberts said. "They do a great job scheme wise. It's just going to be a big-time challenge for our offense."
The overall series between the two teams is 1-2 in favor of Florida Atlantic, with ASU winning the first game 3-0 in overtime at home and the Owls winning the last two 29-0 and 34-31.
"This has been a challenging series," Roberts said "They have great athletes and do a great job of coaching them, and they are always going to be in the hunt.
"There is no doubt about that based on where they are located and what they have to choose from in an athletic standpoint. They are a very good program."
Fans who attend the game are encouraged to "Black Out" ASU Stadium for the final home game of the year, which also marks the ASU Senior Day. ASU is asking fans to wear anything black to show their support for the team and seniors that will be playing their last home game.
The game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at ASU Stadium. The Red Wolves have won eight of their last 10 home games dating back to last season.
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