| Head coach Steve Roberts enters his 9th season | | | | The defense was not the problem last year as |
| at Arkansas State feeling the pressure of | | | | they were above average against both the run |
| producing a winning team in 2010. The Red | | | | and the pass. They still managed to give up over |
| Wolves finished a disappointing 4-8 last year and | | | | 23 points/game, which had much to do with being |
| return 11 starters from that team. Expectations | | | | -5 in turnover differential. The defensive line |
| have lessened and Roberts usually turns out his | | | | played strong versus the run, allowing 122 yards |
| best teams when they fly under the radar. | | | | game. This year they must replace three key |
| The Red Wolves offense struggled with | | | | starters and their star up front in Alex Carrington. |
| consistency last year even though they returned | | | | Carrington was a 1st team all-conference selection |
| a four year starter at quarterback. Corey | | | | and 3rd round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills. DT |
| Leonard left as the school's all time leader in total | | | | Bryan Hall has been a two year starter and |
| offense, but was benched twice in 2009 and | | | | recorded a team high 6.5 tackles for loss. He will |
| ended his career by tearing an ACL. The decision | | | | need to increase his performance even more this |
| was made midway through the season to give | | | | season if the Red Wolves want to dominate the |
| redshirt freshman Ryan Aplin an opportunity to | | | | line of scrimmage. LB Demario Davis led the team |
| showcase his skills. Aplin finished the year with a | | | | in tackles as a sophomore with 80 stops. Javon |
| 65% completion rate and threw for 889 yards. | | | | McKinnon will run alongside Davis at the outside |
| He finished second on the team in rushing, but | | | | linebacker position and brings experience to the |
| watched spring practice after recovering from | | | | defense. He finished fourth on the team in tackles |
| shoulder surgery. That injury could cost him the | | | | with 53. The secondary returns both safeties, but |
| starting job this year as Phillip Butterfield was | | | | will have to find two new starters at corner. FS |
| impressive in Aplin's absence. Arkansas State will | | | | MD Jennings is the key player and was a 1st |
| make the change to a no huddle offense in 2010. | | | | team all-conference member as a junior. His 64 |
| Reggie Arnold led the team in rushing with 723 | | | | tackles ranked second on the Red Wolves. Their |
| yards and 12 touchdowns but will not return. | | | | pass defense could slip if they have issues with |
| Derek Lawson played behind Arnold a year ago | | | | the new players at corner. |
| and should get an opportunity to be the full time | | | | Three of Arkansas State's four non conference |
| back. He rushed for 244 yards and two scores in | | | | games are against BCS power conference teams. |
| 09'. The receiving core might have the biggest | | | | They almost defeated Iowa last year before |
| question marks on offense. Only sophomore | | | | ultimately losing by a field goal. A road trip to |
| Taylor Stockemer saw considerable action last | | | | Auburn, AL opens things up on Sept. 4th. Their |
| year and was a downfield threat averaging over | | | | schedule is different in that they will play three |
| 21 yards per reception. Allen Muse and Kedric | | | | conference games before the 1st of October. A |
| Murry combined for 13 catches and should play a | | | | key home game that has to be circled is their |
| much larger in the passing game. The offensive | | | | Nov. 2nd match-up with preseason conference |
| line returns all five starters and will be one of the | | | | favorite Middle Tennessee State. I think this team |
| top units in the Sun Belt. Being in much better | | | | shows some improvement, but not enough for |
| shape was an off-season priority for the line with | | | | bowl eligibility and finishes with 5 wins. |
| the new fast paced offense. | | | | |
