State sports briefs

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Report: Thompson lands at Texas State

John Thompson’s time without a job might not last long.

A report by CBSSports.com on Sunday said Thompson, who spent the past two seasons as Arkansas State’s defensive coordinator, is expected to become Texas State’s defensive coordinator soon. If so, Thompson will join ASU’s Sun Belt Conference rival, a team he helped ASU beat 38-21 last season in Jonesboro.

Thompson was 2-0 as ASU’s interim coach in bowl games, leading the Red Wolves to a 34-31 victory over Ball State in the GoDaddy Bowl a year after leading them to a 17-13 victory over Kent State in the same bowl game.

Thompson interviewed for ASU’s head coaching job in December after Bryan Harsin left to become coach at Boise State, but ASU hired Blake Anderson. Joe Cauthen was hired as Anderson’s defensive coordinator. Thompson was not retained.

In 2013, Texas State finished 6-6 overall with a 2-5 Sun Belt record in its first season in the league under Coach Dennis Franchione. Craig Naivar served as the Bobcats’ defensive coordinator the past three seasons but is reportedly becoming Kentucky’s special teams coordinator. Brad Bedell, who was offensive line coach at ASU last year, is the Texas State offensive line coach.

ASU plays at Texas State on Nov. 22 next season.

Thompson couldn’t be reached for comment Sunday.

  • Troy Schulte

COLLEGE BASEBALL

Arkansas cancels game with IPFW

The Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team’s game against Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne that was scheduled for today has been canceled because of winter weather that moved through Northwest Arkansas on Sunday.

The Razorbacks (7-2) are coming off a series loss to South Alabama this past weekend at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville. South Alabama defeated Arkansas 2-1 and 5-3 on Saturday.

Arkansas will return to action this weekend at the Cal Baseball Classic in Berkeley, Calif. The Razorbacks will play San Francisco at 4:30 p.m. Central Friday before playing Tulane at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The Razorbacks will play a doubleheader against Cal on Sunday, with the first game set for a 3 p.m.

Fans who purchased single-game tickets for today’s game can contact the Razorback Ticket Center at 800-982-4647 for additional information.

BASKETBALL

Former Hogs to speak at Tip Off Club

Former Arkansas Razorbacks Joe Kleine, Charles Ballentine, Leroy Sutton and Ricky Norton will be the guest speakers at today’s Downtown Tip Off Club luncheon at Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in North Litle Rock.

Lunch will be served at 11:15 a.m., and the program will begin at noon. Admission is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers.

Sports, Pages 19 on 03/03/2014

Upcoming Events