JONESBORO — Arkansas State will try to take its first step toward a conference championship Saturday when it opens Sun Belt Conference play at home against Troy, the team picked by most in the preseason to win the league title.
"Half the teams in their Sun Belt openers are going to win, and the other half are going to lose," Arkansas State Coach Steve Roberts said after Tuesday's practice. "The ones that win have a leg up on those who don't, so it's very important. It would be great to get off on the right foot, but I don't think either team is going to get a trophy after this game."
Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. Saturday at ASU Stadium. The game will be televised on Comcast Sports Southeast.
Troy has won or shared three consecutive Sun Belt championships, and Roberts said he and his staff respect Troy and its achievements.
"They are real well coached," Roberts said. "They recruit extremely well and are a great football team and great program. Everyone wants to win championships and get to the point where you can win three in a row."
Arkansas State (1-1) also may have a little payback on its mind after ending the 2008 season with a 35-9 loss to Troy.
"They outplayed us, outschemed us and everything else," defensive end Alex Carrington said. "We just weren't focused enough and didn't have enough urgency to win."
Troy (1-2) also won 27-0 two seasons ago in Jonesboro. The Red Wolves' last victory in the series came in 2006, when ASU won 33-26.
"It's a new beginning for us, and we have a chance to do something special this year," running back Reggie Arnold said. "Troy is going to be on our schedule as always, and we have to go out there and play to our best potential like any other ballgame."
Carrington said he believes the Red Wolves, who are coming off a bye week, are catching the Trojans at a good time.
"I'm pumped about it," he said. "This early in the season, at home, can't be any better. We have a great home crowd, and I think that's going to make a great game. I think we have a little bit fresher legs. They are coming off a win at UAB and only get a week to prepare for us."
Arnold said he feels the Red Wolves will be better prepared this time around because the team is healthier and in better shape.
"Last year, we had a few guys that were banged up at the end of the year," Arnold said. "This year we had a bye week, and I feel like it's going to help us out a lot because we will be fresher."
Sports, Pages 26 on 09/23/2009