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Arkansas State Indians (2000: 1-10) The following team preview is provided by Blue Ribbon. For the nation's most comprehensive look at this and all Division I-A teams, be sure to order the 2001 Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, on sale now at 1-800-775-2518.
Coach and programIt will be a season of change for Arkansas State.First, the Indians switch from the Big West Conference to the new Sun Belt Conference. Coach Joe Hollis has also added several new coaches, including an offensive coordinator with a new philosophy (Phil Davis). Arkansas State is also hoping for a change in luck. The Indians have lost eight games the last two seasons by a combined 38 points (4.8 points per game). Last year, ASU lost by seven in double-overtime to N.C. State, lost the home opener to Memphis by two, its homecoming game against Richmond by three and to New Mexico State in overtime by six, finishing just 1-10. The Indians don't even have luck in their own stadium. In the last two years, ASU has gone 4-6 at home. Of those six losses, five were by a total of 20 points, two went into overtime and one was decided on 51-yard field goal as time expired. When Hollis took over the program in 1996, he pledged to make ASU competitive. The next step is to make the Indians winners, and to help that he persuaded Davis to return to Jonesboro as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. The former ASU quarterback coach came from Houston, where he served in a similar role. Hollis and the Indians are looking forward to their first year in the Sun Belt Conference, which will feature a berth in the New Orleans Bowl in December for the conference champion. "The people in the Sun Belt Conference office and the league membership have worked very hard to make Sun Belt football a reality,'' Hollis said. "They have done a great job putting this football league together. It's great for Arkansas State and our football program to have a more regional flavor with teams that our fans can identify with and fans can look forward to the New Orleans Bowl.'' Six home games, including a visit from Ole Miss, highlight the Arkansas State 2001 schedule.
OffenseGone is four-year starter Cleo Lemon and his backup, Andy Shatley. Consequently, the Indians enter the 2001 season without a quarterback who has taken a snap in game action.The battle at quarterback will be a competitive one with the likely starter redshirt freshman Bryan Gauthreaux (6-0, 184). He impressed ASU coaches in the spring by showing an ability to scramble and throw with great accuracy. While the battle continues at quarterback, there is no doubt about who is the No. 1 tailback. Senior Jonathan Adams (6-0, 217) rushed for 1,004 yards on 202 carries last fall and scored a team-leading six touchdowns. It was a breakout season for Adams, nominated in 2000 for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the best running back in college football. Adams was the first running back in ASU history to be nominated for the award. Gone at receiver is talented Robert Kilow and his acrobatic antics, but waiting to take over is junior James "Hiccup'' Hickenbotham (5-10, 173). A speedster who played tailback in high school and prep school, Hickenbotham is the leading returning receiver from last season, when he caught 17 passes for 256 yards and one touchdown. The Indians lost three starters off the line, but have two standouts returning in right tackle Garry Johnson (6-4, 306) and right guard John Crossley (6-2, 307).
Defense and special teamsHollis and his staff are excited about the linemen in their 3-4 alignment. The top two linemen are junior Corey Williams (6-4, 278) at tackle and junior John Bradley (6-2, 272) at end. Williams and Bradley played last year after sitting out 1999 because of academics. They both had to learn to play the defensive line and made first-year mistakes, but both showed signs of becoming stars.Senior Tyshon Reed (6-0, 205) is the only returning starter among the linebackers. He started on the outside last year and tied for team honors with six tackles for loss. Returning at cornerback is junior Terrance Fuller (5-11, 191), who started seven games last season. He also played some safety, and ended the year as one of the best cover men for the Indians. Senior Andy McPherson (5-9, 166) is scheduled to handle the place kicking duties. He has shown promise in the past, but has not kicked the last two seasons while playing behind Nick Gatto.
Bottom lineArkansas State opens the season at Georgia and Baylor before home dates against Nicholls State and Jacksonville State. Then comes the home game against Ole Miss before the new Sun Belt season opens with Louisiana-Lafayette.Davis will bring more success to the offensive side of the ball in the future, and the Indians' luck will eventually change in close games. Still, this is a team with only nine returning starters and too many gaps to fill for a winning season in 2001. Look for another season around 3-8 for the Indians, but don't be surprised if Hollis and his squad are ready to compete for a Sun Belt championship in the near future. |
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