Arkansas Sports 360.com - July 2008 - (Page 22) ArkAnSAS STATe Red Wolves MiChaeL Pirnique success starts at quarterback: Corey Leonard (center) is back for his junior year to lead a talented group of backs and receivers. ASU: Nickname Is New, Hopes Are the Same An Improved Sun Belt, Along With A&M and ‘Bama, Might Have Red Wolves Howling By Martin Couch ARKANSAS STATE UNiVERSiTY enters a new era as the Red Wolves and with it more hope of a Sun Belt Championship, but there are some contingencies. ASU coach Steve Roberts insists that being successful in 2008 depends on how healthy the Red Wolves can stay throughout a season that begins with the likes of the Texas A&M Aggies at College Station and includes Alabama at Tuscaloosa. Last year, ASU played at Texas and Tennessee. “Our schedule was difficult last year and we had injuries at the wrong time,” Roberts said. “We didn’t play well in a three-game stretch because of it. We had a great opportunity in a great environment at Texas last year with a new coaching staff and that presented a huge challenge. We won that game in every aspect, but we left some plays on the field.” “We had 18 players miss all or most of spring football,” the coach added. “So 22 ArkansasSports360.com July 2008 it’s difficult to gauge what we have on the previous season. We’re going to have skilled players on offense at quarterback, wide receiver and running back, but we’re going to have to replace some offensive linemen and four starters on the defensive line. That’s going to be challenging. We are going to have to replace some very good football players, but for the guys who participated in spring practice, i feel Eleven Arkansas State football players have been named All-Sun Belt Conference by Phil Steele’s 2008 College Football Preview publication. The Red Wolves had five players selected on offense, three on defense and three on special teams. Junior running back Reggie Arnold, who was also ranked as the 46th best running back in the nation by the magazine, and offensive lineman Matt Mandich both represented ASU on the first team. Junior wide receiver Brandon Thompkins, junior defensive end Alex Carrington and senior linebacker Ben Owens were all second team selections. Senior wide receiver Kevin Jones was also named second team as a punt returner selection. The third team included junior quarterback Corey Leonard, senior Reggie Arnold tight end David Johnson and junior kicker Josh Arauco. Junior safety Evan Van Dolah and senior punter Brett Shrable were both honorable mention choices. m 11 ASU PlAyErS lAnd on All-SUn BElt liSt better about.” The Red Wolves return 11 starters including junior quarterback Corey Leonard, who passed for 2,235 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore. He was a 2007 Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist and set a school record for total offense. in the backfield with Leonard is junior tailback Reggie Arnold, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons, while junior Brandon Thompkins returns as the team’s top receiver and kick returner. “i feel good about Reggie,” Roberts said. “He allows us to pound the football more often and attack the defense and when he’s on, he can help us. Travis Hewitt will back up Corey and is an accurate thrower.” Redshirt freshman Derek Lawson mixed in at running back in the spring along with freshman Ronnie Johnson, an Alabama high school all-state selection. Depth at tight end begins with senior David Johnson, who was an All-Sun Belt http://ArkansasSports360.com
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