? So here it is, the final game of the season.
It?s been a strange year for Arkansas State, one that began so encouraging that expectations may have become unrealistic. Then again, the Indians started strong enough to make one believe that depth issues caused them to fall prey to injuries and hindered them from what could have been a breakout year.
After the first four games, it all seemed as if the solar system had aligned itself in Arkansas State?s favor. Impressive wins against Memphis and Southern Methodist combined with surprising showings at Texas and Tennessee had the entire state?s attention turning toward the Indians.
Then came a self-inflicted debacle at Louisiana-Monroe, followed by bad losses to Middle Tennessee and Troy. The latter two defeats indicated there were injury problems well beyond public knowledge but never confirmed.
While ASU?s loss at Florida Atlantic seemed to restore promise that the team was regaining strength and confidence, last-second victories against winless Florida International and 1-9 North Texas were hardly inspiring. So the Indians stand 5-6 with one very tough opponent blocking the path of a break-even season.
It?s not where Arkansas State planned to be, but it?s not the worst-case scenario for the Indians either. It does seem like a golden opportunity has somehow escaped ASU, though, with so many seniors at so many key positions.
The biggest question at this point in a football season is whether a team in Arkansas State?s position is running on fumes or still fuming to run.
The Indians have a few things to play for but they?re not the original goals set for the season. Sure they want to avoid a losing record. Sure they want to become bowl eligible, even if no bowl invitation is awaiting. Sure they want to win.
But the test is just how bad they want all of these things or others, and if that will translate on to the field.
Many teams with little to play for other than one last game will pack it in at the end of a season. Their hearts just aren?t in it because their goals haven?t materialized.
It?s understandable. It?s human nature.
On the other hand, a team that is winning and has plenty to play for can use the momentum and confidence to steam-roll a team that is vulnerable. Arkansas State is a vulnerable team, and today?s opponent, Southern Mississippi, is a hard-nosed football team that could devour the Indians if they show any signs of mental weakness.
It?s not really about statistics, individual match-ups, schemes and strategy so much this afternoon as it was Sept. 2 in Austin, Texas, when the Indians pushed the No. 4-ranked Longhorns to the brink of a shocking upset. Today it?s about who comes to play with the will to win, the will to survive, and the will to give every ounce of energy one last time.
There are several traits that the 2007 Indians have possessed no matter what the situation has been all season. This team has never quit on itself, and has always played with passion, character, drive and motivation, even when faced with adversity beyond its ability to overcome.
Those characteristics are a compliment to ASU coach Steve Roberts and his staff for instilling and maintaining such basic but fundamentally important principles throughout the years. It?s also a compliment to the many seniors like Tyrell Johnson, Khayyam Burns, Levi Dejohnette, Matt Reibe and so on who have dedicated their hearts to the program, bought in to its ideals and passed them on to teammates.
They?ve all been in it together, and they?ve stuck together side by side when times were good and when times were bad. This group has shown class in victory and shown class in defeat.
Unfortunately, the Indians face a team that should be just as mentally tough and razor sharp with its focus.
Under the watchful eye of coach Jeff Bower, Southern Miss has been a determined football team that just doesn?t quit either. The Golden Eagles have been to five straight bowl games and played in nine bowls the last 10 years.
They?re guaranteed another bowl trip this year.
Southern Miss has won the last four meetings against Arkansas State, including the 2005 New Orleans Bowl. Just like that game, the Indians will provide a gutsy effort ? passion to play won?t be an issue ? but USM will be a little too physical and a little too talented.
It?s been a strange year for Arkansas State, one that began so encouraging that expectations may have become unrealistic. Then again, the Indians started strong enough to make one believe that depth issues caused them to fall prey to injuries and hindered them from what could have been a breakout year.
After the first four games, it all seemed as if the solar system had aligned itself in Arkansas State?s favor. Impressive wins against Memphis and Southern Methodist combined with surprising showings at Texas and Tennessee had the entire state?s attention turning toward the Indians.
Then came a self-inflicted debacle at Louisiana-Monroe, followed by bad losses to Middle Tennessee and Troy. The latter two defeats indicated there were injury problems well beyond public knowledge but never confirmed.
While ASU?s loss at Florida Atlantic seemed to restore promise that the team was regaining strength and confidence, last-second victories against winless Florida International and 1-9 North Texas were hardly inspiring. So the Indians stand 5-6 with one very tough opponent blocking the path of a break-even season.
It?s not where Arkansas State planned to be, but it?s not the worst-case scenario for the Indians either. It does seem like a golden opportunity has somehow escaped ASU, though, with so many seniors at so many key positions.
The biggest question at this point in a football season is whether a team in Arkansas State?s position is running on fumes or still fuming to run.
The Indians have a few things to play for but they?re not the original goals set for the season. Sure they want to avoid a losing record. Sure they want to become bowl eligible, even if no bowl invitation is awaiting. Sure they want to win.
But the test is just how bad they want all of these things or others, and if that will translate on to the field.
Many teams with little to play for other than one last game will pack it in at the end of a season. Their hearts just aren?t in it because their goals haven?t materialized.
It?s understandable. It?s human nature.
On the other hand, a team that is winning and has plenty to play for can use the momentum and confidence to steam-roll a team that is vulnerable. Arkansas State is a vulnerable team, and today?s opponent, Southern Mississippi, is a hard-nosed football team that could devour the Indians if they show any signs of mental weakness.
It?s not really about statistics, individual match-ups, schemes and strategy so much this afternoon as it was Sept. 2 in Austin, Texas, when the Indians pushed the No. 4-ranked Longhorns to the brink of a shocking upset. Today it?s about who comes to play with the will to win, the will to survive, and the will to give every ounce of energy one last time.
There are several traits that the 2007 Indians have possessed no matter what the situation has been all season. This team has never quit on itself, and has always played with passion, character, drive and motivation, even when faced with adversity beyond its ability to overcome.
Those characteristics are a compliment to ASU coach Steve Roberts and his staff for instilling and maintaining such basic but fundamentally important principles throughout the years. It?s also a compliment to the many seniors like Tyrell Johnson, Khayyam Burns, Levi Dejohnette, Matt Reibe and so on who have dedicated their hearts to the program, bought in to its ideals and passed them on to teammates.
They?ve all been in it together, and they?ve stuck together side by side when times were good and when times were bad. This group has shown class in victory and shown class in defeat.
Unfortunately, the Indians face a team that should be just as mentally tough and razor sharp with its focus.
Under the watchful eye of coach Jeff Bower, Southern Miss has been a determined football team that just doesn?t quit either. The Golden Eagles have been to five straight bowl games and played in nine bowls the last 10 years.
They?re guaranteed another bowl trip this year.
Southern Miss has won the last four meetings against Arkansas State, including the 2005 New Orleans Bowl. Just like that game, the Indians will provide a gutsy effort ? passion to play won?t be an issue ? but USM will be a little too physical and a little too talented.
