ASU, Anderson getting over loss

Arkansas State football Coach Blake Anderson certainly wants to have high expectations for the Red Wolves, but he says you have to be willing to adjust them as the season progresses.

Such is the situation this week after ASU's chances of claiming at least a share of the league title for a fourth consecutive season took a big hit last week in Lafayette, La.

"If you wrap it all up into one goal and you see that goal is not attainable, then it is easy to crash," Anderson said. "We don't want that. We still have some really good things on the table for us -- if we do our job one week at a time."

ASU's 55-40 loss at Louisiana-Lafayette last week means it will likely have to win out to have a chance to win a share of a conference title, and that won't be all it needs, either.

ASU (4-3, 2-1) is one of three Sun Belt teams with one conference loss with November showdowns looming against the other two -- South Alabama and Texas State. But what the Red Wolves won't get this season is another shot at the league leaders. Louisiana-Lafayette (4-3, 3-0) and Georgia Southern (6-2, 5-0), which isn't on ASU's schedule, are each unbeaten in the league and don't play each other this season.

ASU was in a similar position last season when it lost to Louisiana-Lafayette before winning four of its final five games to force a tie for the league title. Georgia Southern's inclusion in the race makes it trickier this season. Therefore, the Red Wolves best chance at adding another Sun Belt trophy is to keep playing, cross their fingers and not view last week's loss as a missed opportunity.

"It's a challenge, and that's what we've talked about," said Anderson, who addressed the Little Rock Touchdown Club for the first time Monday. "We did talk about the fact that, in the last 8 or 9 years, there's only been a couple of years where somebody has gone undefeated. That may be this year. But we can't control that."

Anderson addressed members of the LRTDC with stories of his upbringing in Hubbard, Texas, his coaching path that began at Division II Eastern New Mexico State and his growing reputation as a coach who will try just about anything.

Anderson said he has counted 21 trick plays ASU has run through seven games this season, a total that includes four fake punts and two unexpected onside kicks.

"There is nothing boring about a game in Jonesboro, Arkansas," Anderson said. "You'll always have to stay in your seat and wonder what will happen next. As we continue to recruit and build some stability, nobody is going to want to come there and play, including the Missouris and Miamis that are coming down the road."

ASU will have to wait another week to return to Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro. The Red Wolves will play Idaho (1-6, 1-4) at 4 p.m. Saturday in Moscow, Idaho. It will be ASU's first trip to the Kibbie Dome since 2002, and its longest road trip of the season, requiring a Friday-night stay in Spokane, Wash., and an 80-mile bus ride Saturday.

When the Red Wolves get there, Anderson will be looking for a better defensive performance than he did against the Ragin' Cajuns, who put up more points (55), yards (521) and rushing yards (419) than any team previously had against the Red Wolves this season.

Anderson said he and defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen don't plan major changes to a defense that before last week's loss led the Sun Belt in scoring defense, total defense and rushing defense.

"The scheme is functional. It works," Anderson said. "We just got into a game where it didn't fit our strengths. It fit their strengths and we didn't play particularly well. If we tackle better, if we fit gaps better and a couple of things go our way then who knows how that game changes. But it went the way they wanted it to go pretty much all night."

Sports on 10/28/2014